Fashion Merchandiser sounds exotic, doesn’t it? Many people assume that a fashion merchandiser spends all day shopping for a department store or a specialty boutique. There are actually a few things that a merchandiser does that goes far beyond buying some stock. Before we dive into this sector of the fashion world, ask yourself a few questions. Do you love fashion and read up on your favorite designers often? Are you the type who loves to attend fashion shows? Do you love being persuasive and have sold clothes before? If you answered yes to most, or all, of these then you should read more about this lucrative career.
The Job Description
If a fashion merchandiser doesn’t shop all day, what do they do? The short answer is they are marketers. The core of the job is that you must know fashion trends and create sales campaigns for the store to promote the latest styles and improve sales. It is a delicate balance of getting people excited about new styles and serving up what your customer base wants while ensuring your store meets or exceeds sales goals. Sounds difficult but the right person will see this as an enticing challenge. You will need to cultivate good relationships with designers, vendors, and your target market.
Staying On Top Of The Game
One of the best things about being a fashion merchandiser is that the fashion world changes. It will require you to stay on top of the latest trends. If your target market is a rather large one, you will need to know trends for all age groups. Mature women and men often get lost in the mix and if you are working for a department store, you will need to pay attention to all ages. To land this sort of job, you will need a degree in fashion merchandising. There they will help you learn more about trends, how to stay up to date on trends, cultivating business relationships, managing events, and marketing skills. Between your education and your own passion, you can even find ways to start your own trends!
Sustainability and The Field
On average, the merchandiser can make nearly $50,000 a year. In some cities, that will be significantly higher. Especially in cities that have a large fashion scene! In other parts of our country, it won’t be a high-paying job because people care more about covering up their body rather than using clothing to make a statement. It is estimated that fashion merchandising positions will grow about 1% each year until 2024. What does this mean for you? It means there are jobs out there and you should still shoot for the stars. The competition will be stiff and you may need to start small and work your way up. It may also mean you will need to move out of your current area. The dream is achievable and with hard work, you can still achieve what you want to do.
Fashion merchandising can also lead to other lucrative positions. You can work on designs in your spare time until you achieve the dream of being a designer and your background in merchandising can be invaluable to that. You can work through stores until you land yourself in your favorite boutique or high-end store. It can lead you to open your own store. The possibilities are truly endless!