Role of Merchandiser

Apparel Merchandising is not an easy job. A merchandiser has to have knowledge in everything latest. He/she has to be more conscious about his/her job. Today’s merchandiser must be aware of target market analysis, product development sourcing manufacturing throughout the world, and inventory management has to be under effective and positive control. More knowledge and consciousness on this thing will help a merchandiser to do his/her job more efficient. 

Fig: Responsibilities of a Merchandiser.

Responsibilities of a Merchandiser

• Ø  Market Knowledge: Market knowledge refers to understanding market customers, their needs, wants and aims is essential if a business is to align its processes, products and services to build real customer relationships.

Ø  Planning and Controlling: Planning and Controlling is one of the most important jobs of a merchandiser. Here merchandiser has to set objectives of his work and determine how to accomplish his/her work. For this a merchandiser has to be combining here internal and external strategic analysis known as SWOT analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) of his/her work and company. And controlling is what a merchandiser has to follow everything is going on according to track of his planning.

Ø  Product Development: Product Development means both, modification of exiting product or creation of a new product as per customer’s new demand or new test.

Ø  Production Authorized: Giving production order to the factory.

Ø  Interfacing with sales and marketing

Ø  Material Management

Ø  Sourcing

Apparel Supply Chain

Fig: Apparel Supply Chain

Apparel supply chain is the whole process map of apparel manufacturing. It shows the whole site map of apparel production. 

In apparel chain there are four major units.

1.      Manufacturer

2.      Importer/ Wholesaler

3.      Retailer

4.      Consumer

 

After getting of an order, apparel manufacturer contract with fabric manufacturer. Then the first job of a fabric manufacturer is raw material sourcing. Common Raw material (Fiber) use for fabric- Natural Fiber (Cotton, Linen, Wool, Silk), Man-made Fiber (Polyester, Nylon, Rayon, Acrylic, Spandex, etc.)

·         Fabric manufacturer collect this fiber from fiber suppliers. Then they start Yarn production/ spinning.

·         After spinning starts weaving or knitting of fabric

·         Then starts fabric finishing, here dyeing and printing has done

·         Then fabric goes to garment manufacturer

·         After inspection manufacturer start production of garments according to production plan

·         After finishing of sewing it goes to garments finishing

·         Then trimming, packing and send to the buyer/importer/wholesaler

·         Buyer/importer/wholesaler send garments to their retail shop

·         After then garments goes to the ultimate consumer

This is the process of an apparel supply chain. A merchandiser have to go through this supply chain management.