Job Descriptions for Retail Merchandising

Merchandisers make sure there are enough products on the shelves.

Merchandisers in retail stores work with the buying teams to buy merchandise for the store in the correct quantities. While the buying team is responsible for choosing the type of items, the merchandisers decide how many items should be bought and how much money should be spent. In smaller companies, the merchandiser will take on both of these roles.

Job Description

The merchandiser is the employee who sets the prices of the goods on the sales floor and monitors how well the items within a store are selling. Typical activities include communicating with buyers, stores and suppliers, keeping a database of sales and stock, producing layout plans for the store(s), and forecasting the sales and profitability of certain items in the store. A merchandiser is also responsible for monitoring slow selling items and taking the required action to make sure they sell.

Conditions

The environment of a merchandiser is normally set amongst comfortable company offices. Due to the nature of the job, it is common for merchandisers to work more than the regular 40 hours a week. Hours can be extended because of sales, conferences and production deadlines. In addition, evening and weekend work is also to be expected during busy periods, such as holiday and back-to-school seasons.

Qualifications

The qualifications required to work as a merchandiser may depend on the size and type of organization you work for. However, many companies prefer their employees to have at least a bachelor's degree in something business related and you'll find that a master's degree is required if you want to progress to the higher level purchasing and merchandising jobs.

Prospects

In 2008 there were 527,400 people working throughout the U.S. as purchasing managers, buyers and merchandisers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the sector is due to see an increase of 7 percent through 2018, which is the national average for all jobs in the U.S.

Earnings

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for merchandisers and purchasing managers in 2008 was $89,160 a year. The highest 10 percent took home an average of more than $142,550. Those working as wholesale and retail buyers and merchandisers took home an average of $48,710 in 2008.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Purchasing Managers, Buyers and Purchasing Agents
• Prospects: Retail Merchandiser