Merchandiser

Merchandisers assist businesses in increasing sales and profits by ensuring that retail and online stores have the right products in the apt quantities.

Some common titles for Merchandiser are:

• Retail Merchandiser: They ensure that the appropriate goods are available in-store and sold at the appropriate price. Also, they assess individual store needs and how they may differ depending on store size and target demographics.
• Merchandise Specialist: They manage the promotion of the company's products by developing marketing campaigns and facilitating promotional offers through various communication channels.
• Merchandise Coordinator: They ensure that a Retailer's Merchandise is well-maintained and attractively displayed

Some roles and responsibilities for Merchandisers are:

• Stocking sales floor shelves, creating appealing product displays, and determining the need for and carrying out product promotions, price changes, markdowns, clearouts, etc.
• Ensuring that shops, shelves, or online sites are stocked with the appropriate varieties and quantities of products, maximizing sales volume and profit growth by identifying profitable lines and bestsellers and making recommendations for promotional strategies based on sales and pricing data, and collaborating with buyers, suppliers, stores, and distributors.
• Developing and planning merchandising strategies and evaluating sales figures, market conditions, and customer response to determine product requirements.

Major educational qualifications required for Merchandiser are:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be committed to providing outstanding customer service.
• May be required to travel to client locations (valid driver's license may be required).

Some alternate job roles for Merchandiser are:

• Salesperson:Responsible for promoting and selling products or services to customers.
• Merchandise Manager:Oversees the planning, procurement, and presentation of merchandise in a retail environment.
• Customer Service Representative:Handles customer inquiries, complaints, and provides assistance in person, on the phone, or online.
• Buyer:Sources and purchases goods or services for resale or internal use in a retail setting.
• Retail Sales Specialist:Specializes in selling specific products or product categories to customers in a retail setting.
• Store Manager:Responsible for the overall operations and performance of a retail store.
• Cashier:Processes customer purchases, handles cash transactions, and provides basic customer service at the checkout counter.
• Merchandise Director:Leads the merchandise team in planning, developing, and implementing strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
• Visual Merchandiser:Creates visually appealing displays and layouts to attract customers and increase sales.
• Customer Service Specialist:Provides advanced support and resolves complex customer issues in a retail or service environment.
• Merchandising Assistant:Assists the merchandise team in administrative tasks and coordination of product procurement and inventory management.
• Keyholder:Responsible for opening and closing a retail store, managing inventory, and ensuring adherence to security procedures.

The Merchandiser / Retail sector is expected to double from $600 billion to $1 trillion by 2020. Despite the steady rise of e-commerce, the offline Retail industry, which includes big players/chains as well as a small brick-and-mortar store, has held its own and is expected to grow at a rate of 10%, putting India ahead of China by 2025.
The Indian Retail industry is estimated to be worth $180 billion, accounting for 10% of the country's GDP (Gross domestic product). It is expected to grow at 11-12% per year. India is ranked sixth in the global Retail development index, with each metro expected to have 1,000 to 1,500 stores by next year. Around 60% of these are expected to be in fashion and lifestyle, with visual Merchandising being a key area for this.