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Arts & EntertainmentISCO 3432

Merchandiser

A merchandiser is a person who is responsible for positioning goods in a shop according to set standards and procedures.

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Rate 5 of the 27 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

assess visual impact of displays

plan retail space

negotiate with suppliers for visual material

maintain relationship with customers

carry out cross merchandising

About merchandiser

Day to day, the merchandiser works at the shelf: they display goods on shelves, keep facings full and faced forward, rebuild a section when a planogram changes, and apply cross-merchandising techniques, placing items that are bought together within reach of each other. They monitor stock movement to see what is selling and what is standing still, and they work to deadlines.

Buying and supply are part of the role as well. The merchandiser negotiates purchase terms and conditions with suppliers, covering price, delivery frequency, display material and what happens to stock that does not sell. The aim is to maximise sales revenue, so the merchandiser looks for the arrangement that earns more from the same space.

Relations with customers, meaning the shops and chains being supplied, are maintained as well. They work to the standards and procedures set for each display. Formal requirements are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (27)

merchandising techniquesmerchandising techniquesThe selling techniques to attract customers and increase sales.sales strategiessales strategiesThe principles concerning customer behaviour and target markets with the aim of promotion and sales of a product or a service.assess visual impact of displaysassess visual impact of displaysAnalyse feedback from customers and co-workers on the visual impact of displays and showcases. Implement changes where needed.plan retail spaceplan retail spaceEffectively distribute retail space allotted to particular categories.negotiate with suppliers for visual materialnegotiate with suppliers for visual materialNegotiate with suppliers on the delivery of visual equipment; stay within the budget at all times.maintain relationship with customersmaintain relationship with customersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and servic...carry out cross merchandisingcarry out cross merchandisingPlace a particular item in more than one location within the store, in order to attract customer attention and increase sales.carry out sales analysiscarry out sales analysisExamine sales reports to see what goods and services have and have not sold well.maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.negotiate terms with suppliersnegotiate terms with suppliersIdentify and work with suppliers to ensure quality of supply and best price has been negotiated.stock shelvesstock shelvesRefill shelves with merchandise to be sold.visit manufacturersvisit manufacturersVisit manufacturers in order to learn about production process and to assess product quality.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.maximise sales revenuesmaximise sales revenuesIncrease possible sales volumes and avoid losses through cross-selling, upselling or promotion of additional services.check price accuracy on the shelfcheck price accuracy on the shelfEnsure accurate and correctly labelled prices for the products on the shelves.keep records of merchandise deliverykeep records of merchandise deliveryKeep records of goods deliveries; report discrepancies to control costs in order to maintain correct inventory levels.monitor merchandise deliverymonitor merchandise deliveryFollow up logistical organisation of products; ensure that products have been transported in a correct and timely fashion.carry out stock rotationcarry out stock rotationExecute repositioning of packaged and perishable products with an earlier sell-by date to the front of a shelf.keep promotions recordskeep promotions recordsKeep records on sales information and distribution of materials. File reports on customer reactions to their employers' products and promotions; present these reports to their managers.monitor stock movementmonitor stock movementKeep track of stock movements from the moment when products are put on sale and ready for distribution.execute visual presentation changesexecute visual presentation changesPrepare and execute visual presentation changes by moving items, changing shelving and fixtures, changing signs, adding and removing decorative accessories, etc.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.supervise merchandise displayssupervise merchandise displaysWork closely together with visual display staff to decide how items should be displayed, in order to maximise customer interest and product sales.show diplomacyshow diplomacyDeal with people in a sensitive and tactful way.interpret floor plansinterpret floor plansUnderstand the results of moving the position of objects and patterns on floor plans by thinking three-dimensionally.negotiate buying conditionsnegotiate buying conditionsNegotiate terms such as price, quantity, quality, and delivery terms with vendors and suppliers in order to ensure the most beneficial buying conditions.perform market researchperform market researchGather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.
Optional (13) — show
consumer goods industryconsumer goods industryThe consumer goods industry refers to a concrete economic sector that produce and sell goods to consumers for they direct consumption, enjoyment or use. Industry that covers a wide range of activities...price productprice productSet competitive prices and adjust the pricing to increase sales and clear out stagnant items from shop inventory.liaise with buyers to plan products for the storeliaise with buyers to plan products for the storeDiscuss stock levels and product ranges with buyers.change window displayschange window displaysChange or rearrange window displays. Reflect changes in the shop inventory. Emphasise new promotional actions.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.train staff about product featurestrain staff about product featuresProvide training to a staff of employees or design team about product characteristics and specific product features.analyse bestsellersanalyse bestsellersAnalyse every aspect of best-selling products; develop strategies to ensure that bestsellers reach their full sales potential.address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and a...set sales promotionsset sales promotionsReduce the selling price of products, in order to maximise revenue at various periods of the year.organise retail sampling eventsorganise retail sampling eventsOrganise sampling and demonstration activities in order to promote a product.ensure stock storage safetyensure stock storage safetyEnsure that products are stored appropriately. Keep in line with safety procedures.decide on products to be stockeddecide on products to be stockedDecide which products (sizes, volumes, types, colours) should be stocked for each type and size of store, depending on particular budgets and locations.ensure point of sale material availabilityensure point of sale material availabilityImplement and monitor all activities related to the equipment and materials available at point of sale.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a merchandiser do?

Merchandisers are responsible for positioning goods following standards and procedures.

What skills does a merchandiser need?

A merchandiser needs 27 essential skills, including merchandising techniques, sales strategies, assess visual impact of displays, plan retail space, negotiate with suppliers for visual material.

Will AI replace merchandiser jobs?

The AI disruption score for merchandiser is 43/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: monitor stock level, stock shelves, keep records of merchandise delivery. Most resilient: show diplomacy, maintain relationship with suppliers, change window displays.

Quick Facts

SectorArts & Entertainment
ISCO GroupLegal, social, cultural and related associate professionals
Essential Skills27

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