Visual Merchandiser Job Description

Visual merchandisers, also known as merchandise display coordinators, are responsible for capturing the attention of consumers through the strategic placement of merchandise in retail stores. Their main goal is to attract customers and encourage them to buy products.

 

In order to accomplish this goal, visual merchandisers must be able to combine a sense of style with basic retail knowledge. This helps them create eye-catching product displays (including window and in-store displays) and overall store layouts.

 

Visual merchandisers may work with virtually any type of retail product, such as fashion, sporting goods, groceries, toys, housewares and other types of products. They may also apply their merchandise display abilities for other purposes, such as museum exhibits, fashion shows and trade shows.

 

 

Visual Merchandiser Job Duties

The day-to-day duties of a visual merchandiser may vary depending on the size and type of their employer, their level of responsibility, and the nature of the project they are undertaking. In general however, visual merchandisers are responsible for performing the following duties:

 

• Sell a display idea by putting together and presenting storyboards 

• Liaise with retail managers to ensure merchandise is being displayed properly

• Arrange showcases, clothing racks, counters and display fixtures

• Draw designs and plans manually or using computer-aided design (CAD) programs

• Make best use of a store's space and layout

• Create branded visual merchandising packs to send to each branch of a store

• Give feedback to head office and buying teams

• Set up displays and dress dummies

• Design the lighting and colour range of merchandise displays

• Instruct sales staff how to properly colour coordinate clothes racks and counter displays

• Liaise with marketing teams and promotional staff

• Attend corporate planning meetings

• Liaise with construction contractors for major floor plan changes

• Track the sales of items on display in each retail location

 

 

Who Hires Visual Merchandisers?

Visual merchandisers have a variety of career options available to them; they may be self-employed, work as consultants, or be permanent employees of an organization. Typically, they work in one or more of the following capacities:

 

• Merchandise manager

• Merchandise display coordinator

• Freelance or consulting visual merchandiser

• Employee of an event design company

 

The type of career path they choose may depend on their career goals, or it may depend on the opportunities they have available to them. For example, some visual merchandisers begin working as employees in order to gain experience before striking out on their own, while others may choose to begin their careers as freelancers in order to develop their portfolio before trying to land a job they covet.

 

Whether as a self-employed contractor or the permanent employee of an organization, visual merchandisers may be hired by the following types of organizations:

 

• National and international retail companies*

• Locally owned retail stores

• Airports

• Museums

• Event planning and design companies

 

*The term “retail companies” includes stores that sell virtually any type of product to the general public, such as fashion, sports, recreation, housewares, and many others.

 

Experience Needed to Become a Visual Merchandiser

It is common for visual merchandisers to begin their careers by working as an intern or an entry-level employee with a retailer or visual design company, as this teaches them hands-on skills. From there, they typically have the opportunity to advance to entry or mid-level visual merchandiser positions with a retailer or design company.

 

Success Tip: Typically, the more education you have in a field related to visual merchandising, the less hands-on career experience you need (and vice-versa) to be considered for a visual merchandiser job. An ideal candidate however, would typically have plenty of education and experience.