Careers in Retail Industry

November 18th, 2008
Today retail Industry is not just expanding but also getting more organized. This shift has attracted many to join courses related to retail industry such as retail marketing and merchandizing. The rising trend in retail industry is generating new jobs for educated and specialized staff in the world of fashion retailing. A person having degree and experience in such field is able to demand higher pay packages. If you have interest in retail industry, you can see a brighter career in the following areas:

Purchase

Increased customer bargaining power and competition is drawing the attention of retailers towards purchase decisions. Most of retail companies have a buying team which is responsible for developing and bringing a product range which not just attract customers, but are also profitable. Customers are aware and smart enough to evaluate the products price and quality. So as a part of buying team you will be required to bargain for the best possible price with suppliers. In many organizations, the responsibility of in-store displays, brand management and quality control is on buying teams. If you are a graduate, having good negotiating skills and some shop floor experience, you can opt for career in buying. It is also important that you should have some affinity for products in which you are going to deal.

Merchandising

Merchandisers work in coordination with buying teams at head office. Their tasks involve controlling the departmental operations, keeping records of stock, analyzing historical as well as current sales trends. As a merchandiser you will be forecasting the future scenario in terms of consumers purchase preferences and competitors moves. To pursue a career in this line you need to be a retail-aware graduate with sound numerical abilities and good communication skills.

Design

The main task of a designer in retail organization is to provide information on latest trends prevailing in market in advance. Designers communicate their ideas to buying team to buy the product ranges that attract customers. Designer are expected to update their knowledge through design fairs, TV shows, films, magazines, catwalks and also closely monitoring competitors both in domestic and foreign market. You need to hold a textile or fashion degree plus a creative mind and commercial acumen to enter in this field.

2006