What Skills Does a Retail Merchandiser Need to Succeed?

Retail merchandising is a highly competitive field that requires a unique set of skills and knowledge. To be successful in this role, you need to have a strong understanding of the retail industry, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to think analytically. Business awareness, confidence, the ability to cope with pressure, teamwork skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, and strong numerical and analytical skills are all key skills for merchants. Many companies prefer to hire graduates of business or mathematics-related degrees because of their analytical skills.

However, those with any degree can be considered as long as they possess the necessary skills. Retailers usually specialize in a certain product area such as household items, food, or fashion. But it is possible to transfer skills and experience from one product to another. It is also possible to move sideways to a business analyst position.

Moving between the professional areas of a company (from marketing to buying, for example) is not always so simple. As a retailer, you are the connection between the sales room and the customers. To maximize performance, you must ensure that inventory is in the right place at the right time. You create the right image to attract customers to buy products and increase sales and maximize profits.

You may oversee the creation of displays for stores or create and distribute training materials on sales tactics. Most retailers understand marketing and how to increase interest in a business. You'll work in department stores or department stores as a retailer. Some companies also hire outside retailers. You're likely to have a supervisor because retailers tend to work as a team.

You must have strong marketing skills and advanced knowledge of retail trends. A high school diploma is usually required for this role, although marketing experience can be sufficient for most employers. In addition, working experience with a major retailer can help demonstrate both an interest in retail and an understanding of stock control levels, which can be advantageous at the application and interview stage. There are opportunities to work abroad, especially with retail companies that have international outlets. Over the next five to ten years, online retail sales will continue to increase while the number of traditional stores is expected to decline according to the Retail Research Center. There are relatively few graduate training programs in marketing although some retail management training plans include marketing as one of the specialized areas. To succeed in this role, you need to have an understanding of the retail industry, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to think analytically.

With these skills in hand, you can be sure that you will be successful in your career as a retail merchandiser.