Profession merchandiser

Merchandisers are responsible for positioning goods following standards and procedures.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Sales strategies

  The principles concerning customer behaviour and target markets with the aim of promotion and sales of a product or a service.

• Merchandising techniques

  The selling techniques to attract customers and increase sales.

Skills

• Monitor stock movement

  Keep track of stock movements from the moment when products are put on sale and ready for distribution.

• Carry out stock rotation

  Execute repositioning of packaged and perishable products with an earlier sell-by date to the front of a shelf.

• Maintain relationship with suppliers

  Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.

• Check price accuracy on the shelf

  Ensure accurate and correctly labelled prices for the products on the shelves

• Have computer literacy

  Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.

• Visit manufacturers

  Visit manufacturers in order to learn about production process and to assess product quality.

• Show diplomacy

  Deal with people in a sensitive and tactful way.

• Carry out sales analysis

  Examine sales reports to see what goods and services have and have not sold well.

• Carry out cross merchandising

  Place a particular item in more than one location within the store, in order to attract customer attention and increase sales.

• Negotiate terms with suppliers

  Identify and work with suppliers to ensure quality of supply and best price has been negotiated.

• Monitor merchandise delivery

  Follow up logistical organisation of products; ensure that products have been transported in a correct and timely fashion.

• Plan retail space

  Effectively distribute retail space allotted to particular categories.

• Maintain relationship with customers

  Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.

• Interpret floor plans

  Be able to think three-dimensionally; understand the results of moving the position of objects and patterns on floor plans.

• Execute visual presentation changes

  Prepare and execute visual presentation changes by moving items, changing shelving and fixtures, changing signs, adding and removing decorative accessories, etc.

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

• Negotiate buying conditions

  Negotiate terms such as price, quantity, quality, and delivery terms with vendors and suppliers in order to ensure the most beneficial buying conditions.

• Assess visual impact of displays

  Analyse feedback from customers and co-workers on the visual impact of displays and showcases; implement changes where needed.

• Perform market research

  Gather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

• Negotiate with suppliers for visual material

  Negotiate with suppliers on the delivery of visual equipment; stay within the budget at all times.

• Keep records of merchandise delivery

  Keep records of goods deliveries; report discrepancies to control costs in order to maintain correct inventory levels.

• Stock shelves

  Refill shelves with merchandise to be sold.

• Maximise sales revenues

  Increase possible sales volumes and avoid losses through cross-selling, upselling or promotion of additional services.

• Keep promotions records

  Keep records on sales information and distribution of materials. File reports on customer reactions to their employers' products and promotions; present these reports to their managers.

• Supervise merchandise displays

  Work closely together with visual display staff to decide how items should be displayed, in order to maximise customer interest and product sales.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB