A merchandiser is a professional who works in the retail industry and is responsible for managing the procurement, marketing and sale of products in a retail store or chain. They are responsible for a wide range of tasks including analysing sales data to determine which products are selling well and which are not, negotiating with suppliers to secure favourable pricing and terms, developing as well as executing marketing campaigns to promote products and working with store managers to ensure that products are displayed effectively and attractively.

In addition to having strong analytical and marketing skills, successful merchandisers must be highly organised, detail-oriented and be able to work effectively in a fast-paced as well as dynamic environment. They may work for retailers of all types including clothing stores, department stores, supermarkets and specialty stores.

For Bachelor’s

• The candidates must get a minimum of a 60% grade in the 10+2 exam from an approved board.
• Moreover, the seekers must enrol in a Bachelor’s degree including BDes with specialisation in fashion and merchandising. 

 For Masters

• The successful graduates must pursue MBA in retail management in order to get hired by top MNCs.  

 For Diploma and Certification 

• The aspirants can also opt for Diploma as well as certification courses in Visual Merchandising along with online courses in Retail Management. 

The job role of a merchandiser can vary depending on the industry, company as well as level of experience. However, some common job responsibilities of a merchandiser include:

• Visual Merchandiser
• Retail Merchandiser
• Fashion Merchandiser
• Retail Buyer
• Retail Store Manager 

Some of the top recruiters of Merchandisers include:

• Aditya Birla Group
• H&M
• Mahindra
• Big Bazaar
• Shoppers Stop 
• Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing

Employment Sector

• Departmental Stores
• Museums
• Supermarkets
• Jewellery Stores
• Marketing Agencies
• Books and Publishing Houses 

The salary of a Merchandiser may vary depending on several factors such as the industry, location, size of the organisation, the individual's experience as well as qualifications.

• Analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Time management skills
• Negotiation skills
• Creativity
• Knowledge of the industry
• Computer skills

The career scope of a merchandiser is quite broad as merchandising plays an important role in the retail industry as well as other related industries such as fashion, consumer goods and e-commerce. Here are some potential career paths for a merchandiser:

• Merchandiser
• Buyer
• Product manager
• Category manager
• Retail manager
• E-commerce manager

Overall, there are many opportunities for a merchandiser to advance their career and take on leadership roles within a retail or related company. The skills and knowledge gained as a merchandiser are transferable to other roles within the industry making it a great career path for those interested in retail, marketing and business.

• Career growth
• Variety of job responsibilities
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Competitive salary

• High-pressure environment
• Long hours
• Inconsistent schedules
• Physically demanding
• Repetitive tasks
• Competitive industry