A clothing marketer designs and implements merchandising displays in retail environments focused on selling clothing and accessories. They predict fashion trends and incorporate their vision into the store’s inventory, and may work in related industries such as fabric purchasing or garment design. A degree in fashion merchandising or marketing is recommended.
A clothing marketer, also known as a fashion marketer, is the person who designs and implements merchandising displays in retail environments focused on selling clothing and accessories. She can dress mannequins, create fashion-focused scenes in store windows, and create promotional graphics for in-store promotions.
This position typically involves much more than merchandising. A clothing merchant is often the pulse of the retail environment, which the person has depended on to predict fashion trends and incorporate their vision into the store’s inventory. A big part of her job is staying educated on the latest fads and fashion styles around the world and making sure her store is the first to carry cutting-edge clothing and accessories.
When new inventory is chosen, the clothing merchant is usually consulted. She provides information on how to order fabrics, colors, sizes and styles based on her analysis of what’s in style along with style trends in local demographics. Every time the season changes, she has the latest information on what’s hot and what will bring in the most revenue.
As her reputation for successful fashion predictions grows, she is given more responsibilities. This often includes information about the general look and feel of the store, ways to market and sell slow inventory, and adding or removing certain retail lines or designers. She may also be asked to help track profit and loss or talk with management about personnel issues.
In addition to working in a retail store, clothing merchants regularly find lucrative careers at fashion consulting firms, import-export companies, or working at a beauty or fashion magazine. They can also find employment in related industries such as fabric and fabric purchasing or garment design and production. Many window dressing professionals and fashion consultants have experience in clothing merchandising.
A keen eye for spotting the next fad is essential to being successful in this position, but knowledge in more practical areas is also required. Good mathematical skills, organizational skills and analytical acumen are highly valued traits. The ability to communicate effectively with executives, designers and retail personnel is essential to the job.
To get hired as an entry-level clothing merchant, a two-year associate’s degree in fashion merchandising is recommended. To increase career advancement opportunities, a bachelor’s degree in marketing, apparel production, or fashion design is typically required. Experience working in any retail environment is an advantage, especially if the job involves selling apparel or accessories. A significant number of people hired into retail management trainee programs choose to pursue careers in apparel merchandising.
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