Who is a good Merchandiser? What are the qualities that can make you good? What can make you sustain in this challenging profession? To be a good merchandiser all those question need to be answered. In our 50th post on 10.10.10 we have focused our readers that merchandisers are the driving force to keep the process in order along with others working in this apparel industry. Written by Arman Mahmud, an experienced merchandiser working in an well reputed garments manufacturer in Bangladesh.
In the apparel industry, merchandisers are the BRIDGE between the management (or industry) and the buyers. He/she builds up the relationship with the buyers, and acts as a seller. Merchandiser plays a vital role in an apparel business in a sense that they bear more responsibility than others in regard to the execution of an order.
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In the apparel industry, merchandisers are the BRIDGE between the management (or industry) and the buyers. He/she builds up the relationship with the buyers, and acts as a seller. Merchandiser plays a vital role in an apparel business in a sense that they bear more responsibility than others in regard to the execution of an order.
Merchandiser has to look after every job, such as - buying the raw materials (required to produce the products), making the garments, finishing it, documenting (over all views) all the relevant papers and records, finally shipping out the goods.
Merchandisers are the responsible person to make the products.
See what Wikipedia says about merchandising --
Merchandising is the methods, practices, and operations used to promote and sustain certain categories of commercial activity.[1] In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer. At a retail in-store level, merchandising refers to the variety of products available for sale and the display of those products in such a way that it stimulates interest and entices customers to make a purchase.
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Image (C) myfashionmarketingcareers.com |
In my view, the merchandiser is who creates a good relationship between exporters & buyers. The responsibilities that Merchandiser bears on the jobs -
- Represents as a buyer to the factory
- Represents as a seller to the buyers
- Looking into the business to flourish more in future
- Offer the deal in a more competitive mode without compromising the Quality
- To satisfy the buyers to progress more of the future business.
Merchandises aim is to impress the buyers by means of –
- Right product
- Right quality
- Right quantities
- Schedule time
Required inner quality needed for a good Merchandiser:
Forecasting Ability
While more methodical than fortune telling, merchandising does require forecasting ability in many sense. A thorough knowledge of trends of the previous season and an awareness of current industry developments will serve you well in a merchandising career.
Analytical Ability
Problem solving and analytical ability also comes in handy in this field. A good sense of style would be an obvious help. However, a merchandiser must also determine how things fit into a budget, and whether they meet the functional needs of consumers. Other criteria may also influence merchandising decisions, so a merchandiser will need to be able to analyze a complex set of issues and stand behind his/her choices.
Communication Skills
Merchandising also requires good communication skills. From negotiating with manufacturers to getting your marketing message out to customers, there is ample opportunity to exercise the power of communication in the merchandising field -
- Good command over English and an adequate knowledge of technical terms (we will publish a docs for the terms) for accurate and efficient communication. Especially good command in the language where the merchandise will be shipped. Now Japan is the most potential customer for Bangladesh, not only for apparel exports but also for other goods such as leather goods, shoes etc. So, right now, learning Japanese language would be the wisest and trendy decision in this trade.
- Good knowledge of Fiber, Yarn. Fabric, Dyeing, Printing, Finishing, Dyes and chemicals, Colorfastness, Garments production, etc. This knowledge can be acquired through both reading and practical experience. Apparel Makers’ blog would be your good choice for current industry news and information.
- You should have clear conception of the usual potential quality problems in the garments manufacturing.
- Good knowledge of the usual raw materials inspection systems & garments inspection systems. Relationship with the testing authority working in Bangladesh and knowing their process can be a definite advantage.
- Knowledge of the quota system used in each of the producing countries', duty rates, customs regulations, shipping and banking documentation etc.
That’s only a short description in which we have given you an idea who is good merchandisers for the industry. Our apparel industry needs you to be more skilled and capable in managing things well. This sector earns us more then 76% (appx.) of our foreign earnings and you are in the driving force to keep this process up. It is you, not the production who faces the buyers and meets their requirements with good customer service attitude in mind.
As merchandisers you need to develop yourself as well you need to march your company forward to meet its goal. You may have different opinion or suggestions, even some good experience to share with our readers’, let us know. We want to listen to you, just put your opinion into the comments box, and let’s have a discussion.
You can start discussing the same in our facebook community space at facebook.com/apparelmakers.
As merchandisers you need to develop yourself as well you need to march your company forward to meet its goal. You may have different opinion or suggestions, even some good experience to share with our readers’, let us know. We want to listen to you, just put your opinion into the comments box, and let’s have a discussion.
You can start discussing the same in our facebook community space at facebook.com/apparelmakers.
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3 comments:
I enjoyed reading your Blog.The type of merchandising products presents a visually clean image and makes the best use of the customers' time in your store by making it easy to identify where the product is located.
Thanks Samual,
Internet is witnessing continuous changing trend in buying habit of consumers in western country as well the phenomena is growing in Asian country too.
Nice blog for merchandising concept.
Thanks from brandshowrooms.com team .
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