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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Sheilbh on December 03, 2009, 04:33:46 AM

Title: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Sheilbh on December 03, 2009, 04:33:46 AM
I've got an interview for a head office retail position as Assistant Merchandiser - in my application I said I really wanted to start a career in merchandising.

So does anyone know what merchandising is?
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Brazen on December 03, 2009, 04:39:37 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 03, 2009, 04:33:46 AM
I've got an interview for a head office retail position as Assistant Merchandiser - in my application I said I really wanted to start a career in merchandising.

So does anyone know what merchandising is?
Nothing like applying for jobs whose very title you don't understand, say I  :lol:

Merchandisers plan ahead for what goods a shop will sell. Bit more planning and less responsive than sales. More details here:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/retail_merchandiser_job_description.jsp
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Sheilbh on December 03, 2009, 04:50:44 AM
Quote from: Brazen on December 03, 2009, 04:39:37 AM
Nothing like applying for jobs whose very title you don't understand, say I  :lol:
I can't only apply for jobs I fully understand or believe I could do competently :P

QuoteMerchandisers plan ahead for what goods a shop will sell. Bit more planning and less responsive than sales. More details here:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/retail_merchandiser_job_description.jsp
Good knowledge.  Thank you :hug:
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: CountDeMoney on December 03, 2009, 06:43:32 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 03, 2009, 04:33:46 AM
So does anyone know what merchandising is?

Determining which brand is at eye-level--sour cream n' chives, or nacho?
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Josquius on December 03, 2009, 11:44:50 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3001%2F3017420539_c5fd26380c.jpg&hash=c0423258297b9ecb2525e857768fc0db3fe90f6b)
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Caliga on December 03, 2009, 11:51:10 AM
Quote from: Brazen on December 03, 2009, 04:39:37 AM
Merchandisers plan ahead for what goods a shop will sell. Bit more planning and less responsive than sales. More details here:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/retail_merchandiser_job_description.jsp
Yes, correct.  At least in the US these folks are often called "Buyers".  My grandfather was a buyer for Sears for his entire career.  Title at retirement: Chief Buyer, Womens' Undergarments.  :cool:  Nowadays I would imagine only women would have that particular job, but this was back in the day when women weren't trusted in management positions.
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Eddie Teach on December 03, 2009, 11:51:31 AM
Are those supposed to be Star Wars characters? The heads look completely wrong. :blink:
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Caliga on December 03, 2009, 11:52:11 AM
...OTOH, that seems like a good job for a trendy young homosexual to have.  :)
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Eddie Teach on December 03, 2009, 11:54:30 AM
Quote from: Caliga on December 03, 2009, 11:51:10 AM
Yes, correct.  At least in the US these folks are often called "Buyers".  My grandfather was a buyer for Sears for his entire career.  Title at retirement: Chief Buyer, Womens' Undergarments.  :cool:  Nowadays I would imagine only women would have that particular job, but this was back in the day when women weren't trusted in management positions.

I dunno, a man might do just as well there, the woman might be too prejudiced by her own preferences.
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2009, 12:08:50 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 03, 2009, 11:44:50 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3001%2F3017420539_c5fd26380c.jpg&hash=c0423258297b9ecb2525e857768fc0db3fe90f6b)

Sandperson is nothing without his staff.
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: CountDeMoney on December 03, 2009, 12:18:12 PM
Quote from: Josephus on December 03, 2009, 12:08:50 PM
Quote from: Tyr on December 03, 2009, 11:44:50 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3001%2F3017420539_c5fd26380c.jpg&hash=c0423258297b9ecb2525e857768fc0db3fe90f6b)

Sandperson is nothing without his staff.

And his and Obi Wan's plastic brown capes.
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2009, 12:19:48 PM
I don't remember Opie wearing those groovy flares.
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2009, 12:21:17 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 03, 2009, 12:19:48 PM
I don't remember Opie wearing those groovy flares.

Luke doesn't look quite right to me. I think it's a later model. Sandperson and Obi are the originals.
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Sheilbh on December 03, 2009, 02:40:11 PM
Quote from: Caliga on December 03, 2009, 11:51:10 AMYes, correct.  At least in the US these folks are often called "Buyers".  My grandfather was a buyer for Sears for his entire career.  Title at retirement: Chief Buyer, Womens' Undergarments.  :cool:  Nowadays I would imagine only women would have that particular job, but this was back in the day when women weren't trusted in management positions.
Apparently buying and merchandising are separate.  That's what I've learned from my interview :)

Quote...OTOH, that seems like a good job for a trendy young homosexual to have.  :)
True.  In all honesty I'm applying for a Masters so I'm looking for a job that'll pay me well (and this does) but that I won't really mind leaving :shame:
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Caliga on December 03, 2009, 02:41:25 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 03, 2009, 02:40:11 PM
Apparently buying and merchandising are separate.  That's what I've learned from my interview :)
Oh.  :huh: How exactly are they separate?
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Josephus on December 03, 2009, 02:45:45 PM
I thought merchandising was selling stuff.
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Sheilbh on December 03, 2009, 03:05:20 PM
Quote from: Caliga on December 03, 2009, 02:41:25 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 03, 2009, 02:40:11 PM
Apparently buying and merchandising are separate.  That's what I've learned from my interview :)
Oh.  :huh: How exactly are they separate?
Sorry not from my interview but for my interview.

Buying is choosing which lines of something to get and merchandising is deciding how much, the pricing and how to maximise sales etc.
Title: Re: What is Merchandising?
Post by: Caliga on December 03, 2009, 03:06:58 PM
Oh, ok.  I know my grandfather did the former (he used to go to fashion shows in NYC all the time, for example).  I think he also decided how much to buy and what price to set it at though.