Assistant Fashion Merchandiser Job Descriptions
Fashion merchandising is one of the most powerful and multifaceted professional fields within the fashion industry. A fashion merchandiser is responsible for conceptualizing a fashion collection that would be appropriate for the current season, while combining advertising and marketing skills. The job of an assistant fashion merchandiser, therefore, is to grasp firsthand experience by assisting the senior merchandiser in tracking and analyzing market trends, production costs and sales numbers to determine the direction of future merchandise.
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Assistant Fashion Merchandiser Defined
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There are two major sides in fashion merchandising: apparel production and retail. As an assistant fashion merchandiser in apparel production, you will help in monitoring market trends, production costs and previous sales figures to determine the direction that manufacturers will undertake each season. If you are assisting on the retail side, you will be responsible in helping track the latest consumer trends and styles to determine future store inventory and the pricing of clothing and accessories. Ultimately, as an assistant in this profession, you will gain firsthand knowledge in how to conduct a fashion retail business while being the first to spot and launch trends.
Job Responsibilities
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Apparel production involves assisting in the selection of fabrics and textiles and ensuring the smooth transfer from designer and manufacture to the hands of consumers. On the retail side, you will help supervise in the arrangement of visual displays and the overall look of the store, assuring that products look appealing and presentable to consumers. Other tasks involve deriving effective marketing strategies to increase sales and efficiently tracking store profits. Ultimately, having a firm understanding and perspective on consumer preferences is key in succeeding in this profession, both in production and retail.
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Required Credentials
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For entry-level positions, a two-year degree in fashion merchandising is ideal. In order to gain comprehensive knowledge and to obtain higher-level positions, i.e., as a senior fashion merchandiser, you should opt for a four-year degree in this discipline. In addition to educational requirements, internships and relevant work experience in fashion are also recommended. Also, some diverse skills that fashion merchandisers look for in a dependable assistant are strong creative and analytical skills, a great sense of style, an understanding of marketing and promotion and a basic knowledge of computer graphic applications.
Job Outlook
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Employment in fashion merchandising is expected to grow by 21 to 35 percent over the next 10 years. Compared to other jobs within the fashion industry, this rate is considered to be above average. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently 77,000 fashion merchandiser professionals employed in various companies. Therefore, as an assistant fashion merchandiser, the possibility of promotion and success is promising.
Salary
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Depending on qualifications and expertise, the net income of an assistant fashion merchandiser may vary. Typically, as an assistant (with at least two years experience), you may earn from $37,000 to $46,000.
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