People who work in merchandising promote specific products in order to increase sales. Many merchandising jobs are located in retail stores and involve displaying merchandise. Outside salespeople in the merchandising industry make presentations to potential customers. Manufacturers’ wholesalers meet with managers and owners of retail stores to try to develop new sales channels. Merchandising jobs are sales-oriented, and merchandising employees may earn a portion or all of their pay through sales commissions.
Manufacturing companies hire designers to create visually appealing packaging for new products in the hopes of attracting shoppers’ attention. Graphic designers examine marketing data to determine which color schemes and designs are most appealing to customers. Jobs in visual marketing and advertising are both available. These employees must create advertisements that are designed to look like the product or packaging so that consumers can quickly recognize the product being promoted. People who work in design-related merchandising try to establish brand recognition.
When store managers decide which items to actively promote, in-store merchandising begins. Seasonal sales trends, as well as cost factors such as profit margins and competitor price points, must be considered by managers. Employees in charge of merchandising choose the best location for a display within the store and order banners, posters, and other items to draw customers’ attention to the items on display. Because merchandising displays are frequently changed in many stores, sales teams must analyze sales data and devise new strategies to maintain sales growth. Many merchandising clerks are hired as entry-level employees, but managers are usually salaried employees with college degrees.
To determine pricing for new products, accountants look at past sales and economic trends. Consumers are less likely to be interested in products that appear to be overly expensive, so pricing is critical in merchandising. Accountants and sales managers must also keep track of the merchandising budget and strike a balance between upfront costs and expected profits. People who make financial or strategic management decisions typically need a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, marketing, or a related field.
Outside salespeople who work for manufacturers and are in charge of negotiating contracts to supply goods to retail stores are known as wholesalers. Instead of a salary, these salespeople are usually paid on a commission basis. Outside sales representatives, unlike those involved in pricing, do not typically require a college diploma, and many merchandising salespeople are hired as entry-level employees.