Retail merchandiser

As a retail merchandiser, you could:

• follow diagrams to stack shelves or display products
•  plan product ranges and stock requirements with buyers
•  work with budgets, and forecast sales and profit margins
•  track stock deliveries, make sure goods arrive on time and meet quality standards
•  set prices and sales targets for individual stores
•  promote special offers and marketing initiatives
•  monitor trends and follow how competitors are performing
•  identify and sort out production and supply problems

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to sell products and services
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• completing private industry-recognised training

You could be promoted to senior merchandiser. In this role you would be responsible for the sales and budgets of a department and might manage a team.

You could also progress to become:

• a merchandise manager
•  head of merchandising
•  merchandising director
•  a retail business analyst
•  a self-employed retail consultant