MERCHANDISING Merchandising refers to the process of selecting, purchasing, presenting, and promoting products to ensure they reach the right customers at the right time , in the right place , and at the right price . In the manufacturing sector, merchandising refers to the process of planning, developing, producing, and delivering products that meet market demands . It ensures that raw materials are sourced, production is executed efficiently, and the final products are distributed to retailers or customers in a timely manner.
QUALITIES OF MERCHANDISER • Planning and execution ability • Research ability • Creative thinking ability • Decision making • Convincing power • Loyalty • Enough knowledge of the garment industry • Coordination and cooperation
Communication Skills- Acts as a bridge between buyers, suppliers, and production teams. Negotiation Skills- Able to negotiate prices, delivery times, and terms with vendors. Organizational Skills- Manages multiple orders, deadlines, and tasks efficiently. Problem-Solving Ability- Quickly finds solutions to production, quality, or delivery issues. QUALITIES OF MERCHANDISER
Technical Knowledge- Has a strong understanding of fabrics, trims, production techniques, and processes. Time Management- Maintains smooth order execution and timely delivery. Trend Awareness- Keeps up-to-date with market trends, consumer preferences, and fashion movements. Customer-Centric Mindset-- Understands the buyer’s requirements and expectations. QUALITIES OF MERCHANDISER
FUNCTION & ROLES
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF MERCHANDISER 1. Product Development Coordinating with designers and buyers to develop new products. Selecting appropriate fabrics, trims, and accessories. Ensuring the design meets cost and quality standards. 2. Costing and Pricing Calculating the cost of materials, labor, and overhead. Negotiating prices with suppliers and vendors. Setting target prices to achieve desired profit margins. 3. Sourcing and Vendor Management Identifying and selecting reliable suppliers or manufacturers. Managing vendor relationships for timely delivery and quality control.
4. Sampling and Approvals Coordinating sample development. Ensuring samples match design and quality expectations. Getting samples approved by the client or buying house 5. Order Execution Placing purchase orders (POs). Monitoring production timelines and progress. Ensuring timely delivery of orders. 6. Quality Control Ensuring that finished goods meet quality specifications. Coordinating inspections and audits at various production stages. Managing returns or rejections due to quality issues. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF MERCHANDISER
7. Shipping and Logistics Coordinating packaging, labeling, and documentation. Managing logistics for domestic or international shipping. Ensuring on-time dispatch and delivery. 8. Inventory & Stock Monitoring Tracking inventory levels and material usage. Preventing overstock or shortages. Coordinating stock for seasonal or promotional needs. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF MERCHANDISER
EVOLUTION OF MERCHANDISING Merchandising began with the barter system , evolving from basic exchanges of commodities like metals, textiles, and spices in ancient civilizations through established trade routes. The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift with mechanized manufacturing, mass production, and standardized goods , leading to the emergence of factory systems and the differentiation of wholesale and retail distribution channels.
EVOLUTION OF MERCHANDISING Post-World War II, a dramatic shift occurred towards consumer-driven markets , with a focus on understanding needs through market research . The apparel industry saw rapid growth in ready-made garments , necessitating creative design capabilities and product development departments . Merchandisers had to adapt to rapidly changing styles , requiring flexible supply chains and a strong understanding of marketing divisions focused on advertising and branding.
EVOLUTION OF MERCHANDISING As businesses grew, finance and cost containment became critical, requiring profitability analysis and inventory management . Merchandisers managed raw material sourcing , optimized process management , and navigated product product life cycles . Adapting to the advent of new styles was crucial, alongside managing complicated distribution and retail networks and ensuring efficient data flow across the supply chain.
EVOLUTION OF MERCHANDISING The digital revolution transformed merchandising with e-commerce and omnichannel retail . Data analytics became essential for personalized marketing and decision-making. Modern merchandisers need talent in data analysis and trend forecasting, and must embrace adaptability and innovation . The future will be driven by artificial intelligence , personalized customer experiences, and sustainable practices , with an emphasis on ethical sourcing .
PROCESS OF MERCHANDISING Order inquiry Price negotiation Order confirmation Raw materials sourcing and receiving in the factory Swatch card making and approval PPM Production Collect daily production and daily quality report Final inspection Dispatch Payment
TYPES OF MERCHANDISERS A merchandiser plays a very important role in an apparel and garment industry. Various types of merchandisers are divided based on their work. The types of merchandisers are given below: • Fashion Merchandiser • Apparel Production or Export Merchandiser • Apparel Retail Merchandiser • Buying House Merchandiser • Visual Merchandiser
TECHNOLOGY IN MERCHANDISING • Digitalization – Digitalization of the shop floor data . Making use of the shop floor data in improving factory performance. • Internet of Things (IoT) - A way of connecting each sewing machine and equipment through the internet (wi-fi) and being able to reach each other and share data. • Artificial Intelligence (AI tool) - Using the collected data through digital solutions and using AI for getting projections in various production areas. • Business Intelligence - A tool that helps in preparing customized reports, KPI dashboards from the data you have gathered in your system and database
TECHNOLOGY IN MERCHANDISING • MES – Management execution system . A tool of a combination of IoT, real-time tracking of order from each stage through scanning barcode/QR code/RFID kind of tags • Mobile applications – The use of mobile applications has been increased recently with the development of application-based solutions for managing shop floor activities. Mobile applications are utilized in production tracking, MIS report reviewing, Quality control through entering quality data through an SQC application, machine maintenance , etc. • Smart sewing machines – This is not a new thing to those who are already using smart sewing machines and IoT-based sewing machines. But the application of smart sewing machines is still less.
5 R’s OF MERCHANDISING • Right merchandise , find the right merchandise for the audience to whom you are selling your products. • Right location , to set up the shop. This means that you should not be investing money to set up a shop at a remote location, where your sales will not be improved easily. • Right time , you must research the right time when you should be selling a particular product. This can also mean that you should modify your products and your business technique with the changing time by becoming more adaptive to the changes around you.
5 R’s OF MERCHANDISING • The right quantity , of clothes should be put into the store . By putting on an inadequate number of clothes, you would see a sharp decline in your products’ sale, which will have a very negative impact on your brand value. Moreover, the accumulation of old clothes will compel you to conduct frequent sales , which will eventually affect your profits. • Right Price , choosing the right price to sell your product is also very important for you. To make your business successful, decide on a price that gives you adequate profit and also does not scare away your customers.