Visual Merchandiser

What is a visual merchandiser?

A visual merchandiser is someone who creates attractive and engaging displays in retail stores to attract customers and increase sales.

What does a visual merchandiser do?

Usually, a visual merchandiser does the following:

• Designs and sets up displays in retail stores to showcase products and promotions
• Arranges products in a visually appealing way to attract customers' attention
• Uses creativity and knowledge of consumer psychology to create visually appealing and on-brand displays
• Collaborates with store managers and team members to plan and execute visual merchandising strategies
• Ensures that displays are regularly maintained and updated to keep them fresh and exciting for customers

What does the day-to-day life of a visual merchandiser look like?

A visual merchandiser usually works during store opening hours, which are typically between 9 am and 6 pm. However, there may be occasions when you need to work outside these hours to set up displays before or after store operating hours. Your tasks may include:

• Planning and designing store displays based on product promotions and seasonal themes
• Setting up displays by arranging products, props, and signage
• Replenishing and rearranging products as needed to maintain an attractive display
• Collaborating with store managers and sales staff to understand customer preferences and sales goals
• Evaluating the effectiveness of displays and making adjustments to improve sales performance

Where does a visual merchandiser work?

Visual merchandisers usually work in retail stores, such as clothing boutiques, department stores, or home furnishing stores. They may also work for larger retail chains or be employed by visual merchandising agencies that provide services to multiple stores. In a retail store environment, you will work closely with store managers, sales staff, and other members of the visual merchandising team.

What tools/software/hardware does a visual merchandiser use?

A visual merchandiser uses various tools and equipment to create displays, including:

• Props and decorations: Such as mannequins, shelving units, signage, and lighting.
• Visual merchandising software: Some visual merchandisers use specialized software to plan and visualize store layouts and product placements.
• Design tools: Tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator may be used to create mock-ups or design graphic elements for displays.

What do I need to become a visual merchandiser?

There are several ways to become a visual merchandiser, including:

• Bachelor's degree: Some employers prefer candidates with a degree in visual merchandising, retail management, or a related field. This can provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in the industry.
• Retail experience: Working in a retail environment, such as a sales associate or customer service representative, can give you valuable insight into store operations and customer preferences.
• Portfolio work: Building a portfolio of your visual merchandising projects can showcase your creativity and skills to potential employers. You can start by creating displays at home or volunteering to help with visual merchandising at local stores.

What career paths are available?

There are several career paths available to you as a visual merchandiser, including:

• Visual Merchandising Manager: In this role, you would oversee a team of visual merchandisers and be responsible for developing and implementing visual merchandising strategies across multiple stores.
• Creative Director: As a creative director, you would have a broader role in developing and executing creative concepts for advertising campaigns, store layouts, and brand image.
• Retail Buyer: With experience in visual merchandising, you could transition to a retail buying role, where you would be responsible for selecting and purchasing products for stores.

What jobs are similar to a visual merchandiser?

• Visual Display Coordinator: Similar to a visual merchandiser, visual display coordinators focus on creating appealing displays but may work in other industries such as events or museums.
• Visual Designer: Visual designers specialize in creating attractive and engaging designs for digital platforms, such as websites or mobile apps. While the focus is different, the skills in visual composition and understanding user experience can be transferable.
• Interior Decorator: Interior decorators work on creating visually appealing and functional spaces, often in residential or commercial settings. Their skills in arranging furniture and accessories can overlap with visual merchandising.

What made you want to become a visual merchandiser?

How did you get your first visual merchandiser job?

What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being a visual merchandiser?

Are you a visual merchandiser? We want you to share your experiences with those looking to start or change their careers to visual merchandising. If you're interested, contact us at mail@calumchilds.com.