Fashion merchandiser job description

Fashion merchandiser Job Profile and Description

Fashion merchandisers, who work for apparel production houses, study the latest market trends in the fashion world, analyse production costs and earlier sales numbers to find out the product direction manufacturers that will take every season. Those on the retail side track what styles the consumer is following which helps them to determine the store inventory and to price the clothing range. They make arrangements of receiving and storing the apparel, while some take charge of creating visual displays to enhance the appeal of the store.

Duties and Responsibilities

• A fashion merchandiser is responsible for tracking profits and losses.
• Some of them also have large bottom line and personnel management responsibilities
• Besides analysing changing market trends, they also supervise sales, oversee production costs and create income projections for their company
• He is  responsible for conceptualizing a fashion line for the target consumer and for the current season
• He is also in charge of selection of fabrics and textiles
• He transfers the products from the designer and manufacturer to the consumers
• He needs to formulate good marketing strategies to increase sales
• He must see that the products are presented in an attractive manner to entice customers
• He should be able to anticipate customer preferences

Skills and Specifications

• Fashion merchandisers need to combine their marketing and advertising skills with the creative part of their work
• They must be resourceful, creative, confident and must be willing to take risks
• They must be good with numbers as they need to track store profits
• They must be versatile and adaptable to the ever changing world of fashion

Education and Qualifications

There are a number of fashion merchandising courses available through private institutions. One can opt for a degree or diploma according to their preferences and choice of specialisation.