About Retail Merchandising Jobs

We see retail merchandising around us whenever we go to the store or the mall. It's an integral part of business, and many people work behind the scenes to make products look their best. Merchandisers also work with the public to promote new products by handing out samples and educating the public. There are merchandising degree programs in the United States, but many jobs can be obtained without a degree. Read further to learn about merchandising job opportunities.

What is Retail Merchandising?

According to business Website BNet, retail merchandising is "the process of increasing the market share of a product in retail outlets using display, stocking, and sales promotion techniques." This includes creating display windows, signage or performing sample giveaways to increase sales and produce buzz. Retail merchandisers utilize ideas from marketing and bring them to life through art, media and other outlets.

Merchandisers have to know how to position and show off their product in the most attractive fashion for the target demographic. There are specialized merchandisers that handle jewelry, cosmetics and junior apparel. Even power tool companies use merchandisers to make their chain saws look appealing. Retail merchandisers make a great product look especially appealing and necessary to the customer.

Visual Merchandising - the Job Behind the Scenes

Much of retail of merchandising takes place in the background. For instance, window dressers and display artists often work in the early morning hours or late at night during the close of business. It can take several weeks to plan a complete campaign, with windows composing just a small part of the pie. Visual merchandisers will often work with marketing to craft a complete storyboard for a particular brand that will convey a mood and inspire consumers to buy. When not working at the main office, they will often travel to other locations to set up new displays in other stores. For smaller companies and chains, merchandisers may be on the road for several weeks at a time.

Jobs with Interaction

Other companies use a certain type of merchandising called "promotion" to spread word about a new product or service. Promoters are usually temporary workers who learn about a product and then attempt to interest people in it with buzzwords and key marketing phrases. Promotion teams can often be seen on beaches in the summertime handing out free samples of juices, distributing fun souvenirs, and collecting names for direct mail marketing. Promoters also go to nightclubs to hand out drinks with a particular liquor, tobacco products and condoms.

Of course, some merchandising jobs aren't so glamorous. There are also merchandisers that bring in new stocks of soda, toys or newspapers for sale. In these cases merchandising can be hard work that involves heavy lifting and sales tracking. These types of merchandising jobs may come with goals for subscription sign-ups or sales. If these goals aren't met, the merchandiser could lose his job.

What Do I Need to Become a Merchandiser?

For retail merchandising people often pursue a bachelor's in merchandising, retail management, arts or design. However, this isn't always the case. Retail merchandising is one of those jobs that you may be able to use experience to break into. Those that have professional fashion stylist experience, for instance, can often get merchandising posts. It's necessary to have a portfolio that shows the ability to set up whatever you're looking to display, whether its clothing, furniture or shoes. Good pictures and references will go a long way toward getting that first merchandising job.

For promotion-type jobs, it's not necessary to have a degree. In fact, many people take these jobs for a second paycheck, or to do something fun over the summer. Models often find that promotion income gets them through lean times. Some promotions even make use of other skills such as makeup artistry or cooking.

How Much Does Retail Merchandising Pay?

For a corporate visual merchandising director, pay averages about $96,423 in the United States, according to Salary.com. On Indeed.com, an average merchandiser makes about $32,000 in Chicago. Promoters make an hourly wage that runs from $18 to $50-plus an hour. Remember, though, that promoters seldom work full time.

If working for a large company, a merchandiser can expect to receive benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation and sick days and 401(k) plan. There may even be a discount on the particular product that the company sells or access to a company store.

Resources

• Indeed: Retail Merchandiser Jobs
• Education Portal: Career Information for a Degree in Merchandising and Buying