Role of Merchandiser Essay Example for Free

Role of Merchandiser EssayThe swopr is responsible for particular lines of merchandise. For example, in a department store, there may be merchandisers for menswear, womens wear, childrens wear etc. the basic duties of the merchandiser can be divided into four areas planning, directing, co-coordinating and controlling. Planning Though the merchandisers may not be directly involved in the actual purchase of merchandise, they formulate the policies for the areas in which they are responsible.Forecasting sales for the forthcoming budget period is required and this involves estimating consumer invite and the impact of changes in the retail environment. The sales forecasts are then translated into budgets to help the buyers work within the financial guidelines. Directing Guiding and training buyers as and when the admit arises is similarly function of the merchandiser. Many a times, the buyers have to be guided to take additional markdowns for products which may not be doing to we ll in the stores. stimulate fealty and execution of instrument in the part of the buyers is necessary.Coordinating Usually, merchandise managers supervise the work of more than one buyer, hence they need to coordinate the buying bowel movement in terms of how well it fits in with the store image and with the other products being bought by other buyers. Controlling Assessing not only the merchandise performance, only if also the buyers performance is part of the merchandise managers job. Buying performance may be evaluated on the basis of electronic network sales maintained mark up percentages, mark down percentages, gross margin percentages and stock turn.This is necessary to provide control and maintain high performance results. As a key aspect of merchandising involves selection of merchandise or products to be sold in the retail store, the job of the merchandiser also involves visits to suppliers or manufacturers of select goods. This is likely to involve working closely wi th retail buyers. They negotiate a price, differentiate the goods, agree on a delivery date, spot all the necessary paperwork, and keep in ouch with suppliers to make sure that the goods arrive on time. Merchandisers work closely with the visual display staff and department managers to check how goods should be displayed to best attract customers attention. This might involve planning and setting up sales promotions and advertising campaign. In some organizations, this is a separate mathematical function carried out by a visual merchandiser. Merchandiser may also travel to different stores to actually check the response to various items in the merchandise.To extol working as a merchandiser, it is essential that the individual has a mathematical ability to work out budgets and understand sales figures. He/she should be capable to understand what the customer wants and translate that into specific products. The ability to work in a squad is also essential, as the merchandiser wo uld have a team of buyers reporting to him / her. Many retail organizations also have a Divisional Merchandise Manager (DMM) or similar position, wherein the person would be responsible for merchandising activities for particular liens of merchandise.For example, the childrens wear DMM supervises those buyers who purchase merchandise such as baby clothes, clothes for new born, clothes for boys, clothes for girls and accessories. Typically, the role of a divisional merchandise manager, immaterial of the size of the retail organization, would involve the following functions 1) Forecasting sales for the forthcoming budget period This involves estimating consumer demand and the impact of changes in the retail environment. 2) Translating the sales forecast into inventory levels in terms of rupees.To do this effectively, the DMM needs to understands and provide for the inventory levels that would be needed to achieve of sales 3) Inspiring commitment and performance on the part of the merc handisers and buyers Typically, as divisional merchandise managers are senior within the organization, it is believed that they can guide the merchandisers in terms of vendor selection, merchandise lines that can be developed and future trends. 4) Assessing not only the merchandise performance but also the buyers performance in order to provide control and maintain high performance results.