Home > Blog > What’s it like to work in… Retail Merchandising?
A merchandiser is responsible for ensuring right products are available for sale in the ideal quantities, at the best retail price and in the correct locations. The role of a merchandiser plays a key part in determining the profitability of a firm and the role can involve sales forecasting, pricing strategies, liaising with buyers and suppliers, monitoring and responding to sales activity (through promotions), producing layout plans for stores or analysing performance data. In smaller organisations, merchandisers may also be responsible for selecting product lines (taking the role of a buyer). Retail work experience is often necessary for a career in merchandising, along with commercial awareness, analytical skills and strong organisational skills.
Here are some insights from graduates working in merchandising:
‘My typical day begins with coming in and looking at the previous day’s sales, and assessing how well my departments are performing during the week. I will then look at how 276 stores are shipping, which means how much are they going to be receiving this week and if I am happy with how they are doing. I usually have a meeting with my buying counterparts if they are in, which involves discussing sales, fashion trends and opportunity they are seeing in the marketplace.’ Assistant Merchandiser, at TK Maxx
‘Day to day I work closely with the buyers. The beginning of the week is spent looking at the previous week’s sales in both retail & directory to help optimise our coming weeks sales – changing freight modes, early releasing styles etc. The back half of the week is usually spent responding to suppliers & ensuring the system is completely up to date. Selection takes place around every 6 weeks & preparation for that can take up to a week, including rangebuilding with buying & writing a pack to present.’ Assistant Merchandiser, Childrenswear at Next
‘No two days are the same, one day I will be contracting and sending out my stock for the week, the next I will be liaising with suppliers about stock issues, or visiting stores. We work closely with the buyers on our team and provide them with sales data where needed, and decide on quantities of buys for the new products with them.’ Merchandise Associate, Lingerie at Arcadia Group
‘The job itself. Challenging and the opportunity to learn. Working hours, rare you have to stay late. The people – a good dynamic of people who are young. Can be repetitive, but all jobs can be!’ Merchandising Admin Assistant, Arcadia Head Office at Arcadia Group
‘My team are great and I enjoy planning ranges for the current season and seeing the range progress. I dislike office politics in general. I also have to get tea and coffees for meetings which I dislike, but I know this will change once I progress through the ranks in the company.’ Trainee Merchandiser, Home at Next
‘Really dynamic, flexible working environment, no two days are the same. Due to the ‘no walls’ policy, there is no hierarchical feel and you get help and support from all levels. You also have the opportunity to go to stores once a week to actually see the product in store.’ Assistant Merchandiser, at TK Maxx
Application Advice: With merchandising they are keen in a real interest in numbers, so show off if you have any. Also experience working in retail is really key.
Interview Advice: Make sure you are friendly and chatty. Had a maths test so worth brushing up before attending! Also visit a store to ensure you know the product and brand well.
Assistant Merchandiser, Core Clothing at New Look
Application Advice: Dress for your brand. The ‘m’ in merchandising is for ‘Money.’ Don’t be afraid to highlight things your brand doesn’t do so well on but suggest how we can approve.
Interview Advice: Be yourself, show your personality in a professional way. know your numbers. if your numbers are wrong in your interview that you’ve spent ages prepping they’re going to be wrong in the fast paced environment we’re in. Highlight your transferable skills. I have an English degree which is highly analytical. These two go hand in hand. Don’t focus on creative aspects of the business. do mention them but link to merchandising and your potential job role.
Merchandising Admin Assistant , Knitwear at Arcadia Group
Application Advice: Make sure you understand what off-price business models are and what this means on the buying and merchandising function. Show your interest and curiosity into the business model and the business.
Interview Advice: General interview questions- focused a bit on problem solving and times you’ve been in difficult situations and how you’ve got around it.
Merchandising and Buying Placement, at TK Maxx
Click here for the full range of job reviews for merchandising positions.
You can also take a look at this great video by Nexton what merchandising involves:
Experts from the best companies in the UK share their experience and advice on how to boss the interview process
Jazz Panesar is a Digital and Technology Apprentice at Severn Trent. Read Jazz’s story here.
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Have your own questions prepared.It's your turn! As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is "What can I answer for you?" Your interviewer will expect you to have...
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Research the Company.Do your homework about the employer and the industry so you are ready for the interview question "What do you know about this company?"
