What Does Retail Entail?

 Appearances are deceptive... we must have heard this age-old adage several times in our life, but does this concept apply to our contemporary age? In fact, it very well does, since appearances make a world of difference in today's day and age and can give an instant facelift to anyone's career. This is what retail merchandising entails.

Retail merchandising is a process used in order to conduct retail sales. Once you choose to become a retail merchandiser or venture into this unconventional career, you have to first establish a close contact with your manufacturer, who is responsible for providing goods and services. This type of retail buying involves determining what products will be carried in the retail establishment, negotiating the unit price that will be charged by the manufacturer and arranging for the delivery of those goods. In short, a merchandiser is responsible for sourcing the products for the brand, presenting the same to a consumer in a certain manner at a retail store, so that s/he is forced to become a brand loyalist.

Imagine you are out on a shopping spree. You are completely bowled over by the presentation and availability of the products there. You enter the store, buy a couple of things and spend big bucks. So, who had the last laugh here? But, of course, the merchandiser, who did everything possible to attract you to step into the store. This profession is extremely challenging and requires immense creativity . Interestingly, the merchandiser is the captain of the ship. "I started off with a very small store. Initially, it was maddening, because the management can overload you with work and honestly, it is your analytical skills that come handy here," says Rakhi Singhal, a retail merchandiser. In a way, the merchandiser represents the company at a retail store. Right from deciding on the design to the positioning of products, the merchandiser dons the director's hat. The merchandiser needs to constantly upgrade his skills and do a lot of market research to ensure that the product sells at any cost. "In India, a merchandiser has the creative freedom to do up the store as per his/her tastes. International brands follow a different pattern. One is given a stepby-step instruction guide and it is mandatory to abide by it," says Karthik Verma, a merchandiser.

There are mainly two skills that are required to become successful in this career: organisational and analytical. It is essential for an aspirant to have an eye for observation and present products in an organised manner so as to instantly catch the eye of the customer.This not only appeals the consumer, but also aids the merchandiser to develop such basic qualities. Meanwhile, an analytic bent of mind aids in this field, since one has to deal with large numericals as well as make practical decisions at the drop of a hat. One has to be sensible to make wise moves in this profession.

The courses for Retail Management can be undertaken by a student after completion of his Senior Secondary, which basically includes various diploma programmes, whereas for MBA and Post Graduate Diploma, candidate needs to be a graduate in any stream. Common entrance exams for MBA are CAT, MAT, XAT, which conduct a written test followed by group discussion and interview. 

 Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/What-does-retail-entail/articleshow/14010130.cms