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Job Description: Fashion merchandisers are required to buy and sell textiles, apparel, and accessories at the wholesale level. Careers in this field include product development, sales, merchandising, and purchasing. The role of the fashion merchandiser is to research and procure the fabrics and materials that will best represent the design objective of the company or fashion designer they support. Fashion merchandisers for large clothing manufacturers or fashion houses usually specialize in one area (men’s, accessories, etc).
Salary Range: Fashion merchandisers can earn $28,000 to $36,000, annually, though that can vary depending on the size, type, and location of the business.
Education: While not expressly required, backgrounds in retail sales, finance, textiles, or business will ensure that potential fashion merchandisers have the ability to think objectively and engineer efficient transactions with wholesale manufacturers. An interest and knowledge in fashion design provide will provide a context for people seeking careers in fashion merchandising.
Outlook: The US Department of Labor predicts 6% growth in the retail apparel and accessories industry between 1998 and 2008. Competition in the retail industry is fierce, and retail stores open and close with alarming frequency. However, the emergence of the internet and the popularity of catalog sales ensure that the retail industry will continue to grow.
Personality Traits: Fashion merchandisers must be able to make quick decisions and work under pressure, as well as being able to travel to textile mills in forgin countries, and/or communicate with those mills via phone. Fashion merchandising is the “front end” of the fashion business, and as such fashion merchandisers must be able to think critically and focus on doing whatever is required to ensure that the completed product meets with the designer’s original creative vision.
Career Path: Retail Sales Associate >
Assistant Buyer > Fashion Merchandiser > Merchandise
Mgr/Director.
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