How to Become a Merchandiser

About Merchandiser

A merchandiser is the one who is involved in the entire process associated with the development of a product. A merchandiser is responsible for product appearance as well as for the supply in various store designated to them. The duty of a merchandiser is to work closely with manufacturers and suppliers. They need to ensure that promotion of a product or service is such that it increases sales over a set period of time.

Job opportunities are numerous for a merchandiser due to the constant requirement of skilful professionals across the nation. Good merchandisers are expected to possess good communication skill, time-management, multi-tasking, analytical approach and creative abilities. They can enter a variety of sectors such as fashion, residential, supermarkets, entertainment, publishing houses etc. Merchandising is a key role in any workspace as it affects the profitability of a company resulting in its success or failure.

Highlights of Merchandiser 

Candidates who are looking to make a career as a Merchandiser should know all the details. Check the table mentioned below to know a quick overview of merchandisers. 

What does Merchandiser do?

A career as a merchandiser comes with the responsibility of promoting the products and services of brands. A merchandiser is responsible to increase in-house sales. They are required to work closely with the in-house team in order to decide on the displaying product to increase sales. In a small brand or store, a merchandiser is also responsible for buying. 

Eligibility to become Merchandiser

An individual needs to meet a certain set of eligibility criteria to become a successful merchandiser. Check out the pointers mentioned below that need to be satisfied before entering the world of merchandising.

• The candidate must have completed class 12th or its equivalent in any stream from a recognized board of education.

• The aspirant must have completed his/her undergraduate degree in design from a recognized university or college.

• Certain companies also recruit candidates who have completed a diploma in merchandising.

• If a student has completed postgraduation he/she gets access to more and better opportunities. 

How to Become Merchandiser in India

In order to become a Merchandiser in India, aspirants are required to choose a career after the 12th class. The students are required to complete their 10+2 class from a recognised board with any stream from Science, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities.

How to Become a Merchandiser in India After the 12th Class

Students from any stream can make a career as a Merchandiser. Once the students complete their 12th-class education, they can choose the graduation courses. Here are some famous courses for a Merchandiser:

Entrance Exams to Become a Merchandiser in India After 12th Class 

Choosing the best entrance exams to become a Merchandiser in India after completing the 12th class are the best option. Students can opt for the entrance exams to pursue graduation courses from the best colleges in India. Here are some famous entrance exams for Merchandisers in India after the 12th class. 

How to Become a Merchandiser in India After Graduation 

After completing the graduation, students can become a Merchandiser in India. Here are some famous post-graduation courses mentioned in the table to become a Merchandiser in India:

Types of Job Roles Merchandiser

Aspirants willing to pursue a career as a merchandiser can look out for various alternatives and career options. Few of them are listed as follows.

Visual Merchandiser: The duty of a visual merchandiser is to create eye-catching product displays, designs and store layouts in order to capture the attention of the consumers.

Merchandiser: The duty of a merchandiser is to work closely with both manufacturers and suppliers. They promote services and products to increase sales over a period of time.

Retail Merchandiser: A retail merchandiser works closely with company buyers. They maximise profitability by monitoring and predicting sales trends and controlling stock levels.

Fashion Merchandiser: A fashion merchandiser forecasts the popularity of clothing as per the trend and determines the price for selling the clothing to retailers.

Retail Buyer: A retail buyer is responsible for selecting, planning and purchasing quantities of merchandise and goods that are sold in retail stores.

Retail Store Manager: A retail manager is a person responsible for the management and for the day-to-day operations. 

Employment Opportunities for a Merchandiser

Check out the areas listed below that offer employment opportunities to the skilled and proficient merchandisers from all across the nation.

• Retail Establishments

• Department Stores

• Museums

• Various Outlets

• Galleries

• Supermarkets

• Fashion Stores

• Jewellery Stores

• Theatre Companies

• Marketing Agencies

• Accessory Lines

• Books and Publishing Houses

Top Recruiting Companies for a Merchandiser

Find out the top recruiting companies that hire a merchandiser and give a boost to their career.

• Aditya Birla Group

• H&M

• Shoppers Stop

• Mahindra

• Forrest Essentials

• The Beer Cafe

• Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing

• Penguin Random House

• Kohler

• Big Bazaar

Employment Sector/Industry for Merchandiser

Roles and Responsibilities of Merchandiser

A merchandiser requires to be responsible in the retail sector. The responsibility of a company or a store depends on the merchandiser and how they manage their work. However, a merchandiser is also responsible for plenty of other work. 

Planning: A merchandiser is required to plan the product prices, sales and stock of the store. They are also responsible for planning the purchase budgets and presenting them to the retailers.

Communicate: As a merchandiser, one is responsible to communicate with the distributors, suppliers, buyers, and stores. A merchandiser is responsible to meet the stock suppliers. 

Negotiation: Being a merchandiser, negotiation is a major part of the role. A merchandiser requires to negotiate product prices from buyers. They are also responsible to manage the product stock, scheduling delivery, and completing the paperwork. 

Documentation: Documentation is a big part of the merchandiser’s job. They need to keep the data and documents related to sales, investments, and profits made. 

Analysis: A merchandiser should be able to do an analysis of the bestselling price points, colours and product styles. A merchandiser is also responsible for analysing previous sessions’ sales and making a new strategy in order to improve and increase the sales of the new season. 

Management: Management is the key role of the job merchandiser. They are required to work closely with sales and display staff. They are required to manage and be responsible for the junior staff along with training and supervising.

Skills needed to be Merchandiser

Any student who wants to be a successful Merchandiser, candidates will be required to possess some basic skills such as creativity, communication, and so much more. Here is a list of the skills required to be a Merchandiser:

Pay Scale/Salary of Merchandiser

Captured in the tabulated format is the salary that a merchandiser and its similar job profiles extract during the starting level, mid-level and end level of their career. Check the data below to get an idea of the same.

Note: The figures mentioned above are subject to change. It varies from individual to individual and company to company.

Fees to Become a Merchandiser 

The aspirants who wish to become a Merchandiser should know the fees for Merchandiser courses. Check the details mentioned below. 

• The average fee of pursuing bachelor courses in India to become a Merchandiser ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 10,00,000.
• The certification and diploma courses in India to become a Merchandiser are from 10,000 INR to 70,000 INR. 
• Completing a postgraduate degree from a recognized university to become a Merchandizer will cost around 20,000 INR to 3,00,000 INR. 

Internships & Certificates for a Merchandiser 

Merchandising is a vast field and offers plenty of opportunities to aspirants. Students can opt for certificate courses, internships, and online courses to learn skills and responsibilities. From leading and well-known brands to small stores, students can apply for internships. You can choose the online available courses or a course from IGNOU. 

Books & Study Material to Become Merchandiser

To become a successful merchandiser an aspirant must possess adequate knowledge and the apt set of skills. With the right books and experience, an individual can attain both of them. Listed below are the books and study materials you can refer to become a merchandiser and polish your comprehension of the field.

• Silent Selling: Best Practices and Effective Strategies in Visual Merchandising by Judith A. Bell and Kate Ternus

• Management of the Absurd by Richard Farson

• Retail Buying Techniques by Fiona Elliott and Janet Rider

• Merchandising: Theory, Principles, and Practice by Grace I. Kunz

• Merchandising Mathematics for Retailing by Cynthia R. Easterling, Ellen L. Flottman, and Marian H. Jernigan

Pros of becoming a Merchandiser

• The job of a merchandiser is quite innovative and challenging. The job never gets monotonous or boring.

• Lots of opportunities are available for a merchandiser in the market. With hard work and sufficient experience, is not difficult to get a good job.

• The job requires interactions with clients which not only increase the network of an individual but also enhance the communication skills.

Cons of becoming a Merchandiser

• With great jobs come great responsibilities, the merchandiser needs to be constantly innovative and analytical. 

• The salary package extracted by a merchandiser increases gradually. One requires sound knowledge and experience of the field in order to see in it.

• The competition is high for a merchandiser. The opportunities are plenty in the market but so are the aspirants. A merchandiser needs to prove his/her worth time and again to grab a good opportunity.