what is a merchandiser?

Retail merchandising is an important job in the world of retail sales. As a merchandiser, you work closely with buyers in selecting and completing orders. You make financial decisions regarding purchasing based on your employer’s budget.

This fast-paced job also involves predicting demand for certain products according to past sales and emergent trends. You work with analysts, suppliers, distributors, and more regularly. You make buying decisions for different products according to several factors, such as value, packaging appeal, and whether they fit your inventory.

You are responsible for overseeing merchandise deliveries and stock levels. You may also be the go-to person who resolves such issues as damaged goods or shortages. A big part of the job is keeping the store shelves stocked despite brisk customer demand. As such, you should have a knack for selecting the right number of products at the right times.

In addition, you are responsible for displaying merchandise in a visibly appealing way. Placement and arrangement of items drive sales. Also, as a merchandiser, you oversee signage and build displays.

Would working as a merchandiser suit your skills or interests? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a merchandiser role.

view jobs near you
1

average merchandiser salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can plan to earn an average hourly wage of $18.33 as a merchandiser. This works out to about $38,000 annually for a full-time position.

The actual amount of your income as a merchandiser also depends upon the industry you work in. You can earn an average of $66,800 per year in cut-and-sew apparel manufacturing, one of the highest-paying industries for merchandisers. In contrast, a merchandiser in the advertising and public relations career field earns an average annual salary of $34,610.

Your geographic location is another factor that determines your income potential as a merchandiser. According to the BLM, the five states paying the highest salaries for merchandise displayers and window trimmers are:

  • Washington
  • New York
  • Rhode Island
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey

Your level of education and the number of years of experience impact your actual annual salary, too. Some businesses require you to have at least a bachelor's degree and two to four years of experience to qualify for a merchandiser position. Continuing education and working to gain more experience are bound to lead to increased pay. This also gives you a competitive advantage in terms of promotion.

Wondering what you can earn as a merchandiser? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a merchandiser is.

Close up - Smiling female looking away.
Close up - Smiling female looking away.
2

types of merchandiser

Your work options as a merchandiser include the following:

  • retail merchandising: Selling products directly to customers in-store
  • visual merchandising: Preparing attractive displays of products to improve sales
  • product merchandising: Choosing products that align with customer values and needs
  • digital merchandising: Posting product photos and descriptions on retail websites and expanding the store’s retail outreach

The main focus of all of these positions is to increase product sales. You decide on different promotions to run or ways to market products that bring them the most attention. There is sometimes a need for several different types of merchandisers at one company.

3

working as a merchandiser

You will find that a day in the life of a merchandiser is demanding, varied, and rewarding. As a merchandiser, you collaborate with buyers in stores as well as producers and suppliers of many products. Typically, you divide your workday between your desk and hands-on product placement.

4

merchandiser skills and education

An associate or a bachelor’s degree in a related field gives you a valuable advantage when you are applying for merchandising positions. A business degree with one of the following focuses is critical to securing your dream job as a merchandiser:

  • visual merchandising
  • graphic design
  • retail marketing
  • economics
  • logistics

Many university programs provide valuable education programs that give you a head start in a merchandiser career. For example, Oregon State University offers a four-year Merchandising Management program that includes topics like design thinking, fashion forecasting, and merchandising analytics. The Academy of Art in San Francisco offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion merchandising that educates you in retail fashion planning, management, and sales.

skills and competencies

Experience with marketing basics and consumer preferences is useful in a merchandiser job. Experience working in the field is also valuable, giving you the ability to forecast expected trends in the market. This knowledge helps you choose products wisely for increased sales. In a fast-paced retail marketplace, you also need to work well under pressure.

As a merchandiser, you should be excellent at working with data and numbers. You should be able to identify the trends and then use that data to plan for future product orders.

A successful merchandiser also has an eye for details. Planning store layouts, curating displays, and ordering products are just a few areas of the job where details matter.

In addition to these skills, it's essential to be a good communicator. This job consists of working with other people like buyers, suppliers, and store owners. Some of your work will involve writing emails and making phone calls, but a merchandiser also visits other storefronts and meets with suppliers. In these situations, communication is key.

male employee pulling cart in a warehouse
male employee pulling cart in a warehouse
5

FAQs about working as a merchandiser

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about merchandisers.

thank you for subscribing to your personalised job alerts.