What is Fashion Merchandising?

What Is Fashion Merchandising?

When people think about fashion careers, design is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But creating the clothes is only part of the fashion industry. Fashion merchandising focuses on what happens between the design studio and the customer.
Fashion merchandisers help determine what products consumers want, how products are presented, and how fashion businesses successfully bring those products to market. It's a career path that combines fashion, business, creativity, and consumer trends.

What Is Fashion Merchandising?

Fashion merchandising is the business side of the fashion industry. It involves understanding fashion trends and consumer preferences and using that information to make decisions about products, pricing, promotion, and sales.
Fashion merchandising can include areas such as:

• Buying and product selection
• Retail and sales
• Trend forecasting
• Product development
• Visual merchandising
• E-commerce
• Brand management
• Inventory planning

Unlike fashion design, merchandising isn't primarily about creating garments. Instead, it's about understanding what customers want and how to successfully get those products in front of them.

What Does a Fashion Merchandiser Do?

The responsibilities of a fashion merchandiser can vary depending on the company and specific role. Some work for retailers, while others work with fashion brands, manufacturers, or e-commerce companies.
A fashion merchandiser may:

• Research fashion and consumer trends
• Help select products for a store or brand
• Analyze sales and customer data
• Plan product assortments
• Work with designers and buyers
• Help determine pricing and promotions
• Monitor inventory
• Plan how products are presented to customers

For example, a merchandiser might notice that a particular style or color is becoming popular and use that information to help determine which products a retailer should carry.
It's a role that combines creative thinking with business decision-making.

What Skills Do Fashion Merchandisers Need?

Fashion merchandising requires more than knowing what's trending. Successful merchandisers need to understand both the fashion industry and the business decisions behind it.
Important skills include:

• Trend forecasting
• Communication
• Organization
• Data analysis
• Business and marketing knowledge
• Consumer research
• Problem-solving
• Creativity
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork

Being comfortable with numbers and data can also be helpful. Sales information and customer behavior can provide valuable insight into which products are performing well and where opportunities may exist.

At the same time, a strong understanding of fashion helps merchandisers recognize trends and think about what customers may want next.

What Degree Do You Need for a Career in Fashion Merchandising?

There isn't one specific degree required for every merchandising career, but a fashion merchandising degree can provide a strong foundation for entering the industry.
Programs may include coursework in areas such as:

• Fashion buying
• Retail management
• Consumer behavior
• Fashion marketing
• Trend forecasting
• Visual merchandising
• Product development
• Fashion business
• E-commerce

Hands-on projects, internships, and opportunities to work with real-world fashion products can also help students understand what merchandising looks like beyond the classroom.

Explore Lasell's Undergraduate Fashion Programs