Fashion and Merchandising Positions

The world of fashion is much more than watching top models strut down the catwalk wearing top designer outfits. You do not have to be 6 feet tall or a size 2 to take part in the fashion industry, as there is a diverse range of job opportunities in the field.

Buying/Distribution - Buyers choose the hottest styles, prints and fabrics direct from factories and distribute them to their stores. Some travel overseas to see first hand what they are buying, whether it's a finished product or just pieces of fabrics. Buyers have the ability to negotiate deals to their best advantage. Other aspects of the job include distribution, knowing what will sell in each territory considering climate and trends. Buyers also create markup prices to see at store level.

Merchandising - The well-dressed mannequin. The Merchandiser has the freedom to pick and choose what they wish to appear in store-front windows while keeping in mind the hottest trends. A Merchandiser is responsible for keeping displays new and fresh, changing them weekly or bi-weekly, always showing off the latest items coming in for sale. Not only are the windows part of the job but any displays inside the store as well. Traveling to several stores in a district or region may also be required. A Merchandiser may also be responsible for helping set store sales by setting up signage in the store and sale ticketing items, or perhaps getting new stock out onto the selling floor or rotating stock within the store.

The key to being a good Merchandiser is to have a keen eye for color and detail. Props can even be added during holiday periods, if the company allows. No two windows may be exactly the same since you are creating them. Layering a mannequin with merchandise allows a customer to see more than just a peice or two as a simple outfit. Accessorizing enhances sales as well on all displays.

The Store Manager is responsible for all aspects of maintaining a store. Hiring the staff, training and creating weekly schedules, while keeping within a budget, is part of the Store Manager's job. Making your store's goals is your responsibility, which may include creating and executing outreach ideas to bring business in. The Store Manager is responsible for acknowledging shipment when it arrives, which may also include the unloading of trucks, as well as putting the merchandise out on the selling floor.

Having a college degree in Business is not necessarily mandatory. Some companies hire from within and train. A Sales Associate can work his or her way up the ladder to become a Store Manager. Some position, such as a Buyer, may require some form of degree in Business/Marketing, etc.

Although the Fashion and Merchandising Industry is exciting, fast-paced and ever changing, there are drawbacks as well. The main one is time. If you choose to become a Store Manager, be prepared to work over a normal forty-hour work week. A flexible schedule is a must if you wish to work in a store. Most stores are open seven days a weeks so your schedule may have you opening one day and closing the next. Expect to work Saturdays and Sundays and certain holidays. Being a Store Manager gives you less time for a personal life. You are expected to fill in when an Associate calls out sick. You most likely will have to work more hours during the holiday seasons. Do not expect two days off in a row or expect to have weekends off. This is retail, the store is open for business.