Visual Merchandiser

A Visual Merchandiser performs in retail and creates eye-catching store displays using innovative visual concepts. They also keep current trends in mind to ensure that their products remain relevant to customers.

Some titles for Visual Merchandisers are:

• Visual Coordinator: They develop design themes, collaborate with marketing teams, research design and lifestyle trends, source props, assemble visual displays, and evaluate the visual impact of displays.
• Visual Specialist: They train and instruct users on using video conferencing equipment and related audio-visual equipment such as laptop presentations and room integration.
• Brand Merchandiser: They are professionals who assist businesses in increasing sales and profits. They ensure that retail and online stores have the right products in the right quantities.

A Visual Merchandiser's roles and responsibilities are:

• Investigating lifestyle and design trends to inform the visual merchandising strategy, monitoring and accounting for the time and workforce required to build and stock store displays, and communicating this information to management.
• Creating visual guides that instruct retail branches across the country on how to build out and design visual merchandising areas of the store, as well as communicating with the marketing team to establish strategies and design concepts for seasonal product launches and displays.
• Maintaining polite and friendly relationships with all stakeholders to uphold the reputation and promote activities, as well as identifying and examining market trends and rival company promotions to maintain optimum product displays.

Major educational qualifications required for Visual Merchandiser are:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, spatial design, interior design, retail management, or a related field.
• Proven work experience as a visual merchandiser or visual manager.
• Comprehensive portfolio of relevant visual design work.
• Experienced at using Adobe Creative Suite programs, such as Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, or other visual design tools.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Working knowledge of current visual merchandising trends and best practices.
• Ability to analyze sales merchandising reports and survey results.

The demand for Visual Merchandisers is increasing exponentially. Visual Merchandiser salaries in India are extremely high. One can start as a Visual Merchandiser, and after some years of experience, one can progress to a Marketing Coordinator, Store Manager, and Lead Marketing and Advertising operations. Eventually, one can achieve the title of Design Manager, Director of Sales and Marketing. Some alternate jobs for Visual Merchandiser are:

• Merchandise Coordinator: Manages and coordinates merchandise inventory, ensuring efficient organization and distribution.
• Fashion Stylist: Provides expert fashion advice and styling services to clients, creating tailored and trendsetting looks.
• Merchandising Assistant: Assists in the coordination and execution of merchandising activities, ensuring products are displayed effectively.
• Merchandise Specialist: Specializes in the evaluation, selection, and promotion of merchandise, maximizing sales and customer satisfaction.
• Merchandising Supervisor: Oversees and supervises the merchandising team, ensuring compliance with company standards and achieving sales targets.

By 2020, the Merchandiser / Retail sector is expected to double from USD 600 billion to USD 1 trillion. Despite the steady rise of e-commerce, the offline Retail industry, which includes both large players/chains and small brick-and-mortar stores, has held its own and is expected to grow at a 10% annual rate, putting India ahead of China by 2025.
The Indian Retail Industry is worth $180 billion and accounts for 10% of the country's GDP (gross domestic product). It is expected to grow at an annual rate of 11-12%. India is ranked sixth in the world in retail development, with each metro expected to have 1000 - 1500 stores by next year. Around 60% of these will be in fashion and lifestyle, with Visual Merchandising being a key area.