He who wishes to be a good merchandiser and curious to do
the job in the apparel industry or buying house should acquire some particular
quality to become success. He should have strong determination from early life
and get prepared to obtain the goals. It will be easy those who have deep
eagerness to gather knowledge in apparel merchandising.
If someone got expertise on apparel merchandising through
practical task can desire high salary within a short time and it will be
exceeded his expectation.
If you wish to become an efficient merchandiser then you
should prepare yourself by following guideline. Here I have tried to compile
all of these for your easy understanding. Someone can be a good merchandiser if
he loves this task deeply otherwise his dreams may not come true.
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| Merchandising |
1. A merchandiser has to communicate with bunch of parties.
They should have sound skill in written and spoken English. Skill on other
language may give them additional advantage. Excellent communication skill can
expedite their career graph. Strong negotiation skills, visual and analytic
abilities would be a plus point.
2. Knowledge about Computer literacy, Excellent in data
searching through internet browsing and smart e-mail correspondence skill
require to minimize workload.
3. A good merchandiser has to be a good planner also. He
should maintain a critical path, time and action plan strictly to hit the
delivery date. He needs to be tricky and expert to handle bottleneck situation
smartly.
4. Acquire good knowledge of consumption and costing. They
should know manual consumption and instant costing to obtain bulk order from
bidding. He or she also needs to be a creative and innovative thinker.
5. If you have strong educational background that can help
you to become a leader in this arena. If you have fashion design or textile
engineering background that will be well and good, but if you come from general
line then try to get high school diploma or certificate course on apparel
merchandising to develop individual skills as to be a good merchandiser.
Academic degree will give you strong support to escalate your position.
6. Merchandiser has to make decision quickly. So he should
be smart, intelligent; strong enough in personality and excellent behaviors.
7. They should have information of all Spinning mills,
knitting mills, dyeing factories with their M/C and production capacity.
8. Know all sorts of knitted and woven fabrics as well as
knitting/weaving patterns to make development.
Knitted fabrics: The knitting patterns are Single jersey,
Rib, Terry, Variable ribs, Drop needle, Interlock Pique, Fleece etc.
Woven fabrics: The weaving patterns are Twill, Dobby,
Jacquard, Poplin, Oxford, Corduroy, Checks, and Plaids.
9. Should have vast knowledge on fibers content to make
decision:
Synthetic fibers
Natural fibers
Animal fibers
Mineral fibers
10. Learn the basics of Apparel Merchandising day by day
from the beginning of your career to become an expert as well as to hike your
career graph. Never miss on-job training programs. Remember that on-job training programs will
raise your confidence level tremendously.
11. Printing is an essential decorative task in garment
industry. So merchandiser should have vast knowledge regarding all types of
printing. These are:
Should know different sort of print pricing individually
All-over printing
Screen print
Reactive print
Lurex print
Dip-dye print
Embossed print
Heat transfer print
Discharge print
Hi-density print
Pigment print
Flock print
Foil print
Print with plastisol dye stuffs
12. Embroidery is an external ornamental task in garment
industry. So merchandiser should have keen knowledge of the difference between
all types of embroideries.
Should know embroidery pricing individually
Plain embroidery with one color
Plain embroidery with multi-color`
Embroidery with laser cut design
Embroidery with lurex thread
Embroidery on printing
Embroidery with application
Embroidery with sequins setting
Embroidery with quilting
Embroidery with application over application
13. Earn Hands-On Experience to deliver right decision
during crucial moments. And attempt to Build Industry Connections is Important
to get better scope in this arena. Keep in close contact with anyone you meet
in the industry. Networking is power. So try to increase networking by email or
through social media to measure their willingness to help you to find better
opportunity.
14. Merchandiser has to make different sort of samples
during their job tenure. So he should know all samples and their consequence.
Types of samples are:
Proto sample
Fit sample
Size set sample
Counter sample
Sealed/Red/Yellow label sample
Pre- production sample
Lab test sample
Photo shoot sample
Salesman sample
Top sample
Shipment sample
15. Merchandiser has to procure several items from different
suppliers. So he should keep record of all yarn, fabric, and garments
accessories suppliers address and contact details.
16. Merchandiser should have good idea on global business.
Thus they should have good knowledge of Export and Import terms.
17. Make a habit of replying all emails without wasting any
time. Keep conscious to provide meaningful reply within short time.
18. A merchandiser should empathize to gather practical
knowledge about production process and technical issues to expedite his career
graph. The issue whatever raise he should ask more to production people to
listen more and learn more to make him expert.
19. Have to be sincere to his job and duties as well as to
accomplish assign task.
20. Know all sort of Lab testing requirements when
requiring:
Color fastness test to light
Cross staining test
Tensile test
Peeling Test
Shrinkage/ Dimensional Stability Test
Crocking / Rubbing Test (Dry/Wet)
Perspiration Test
Test of brushing of fabric
Washing fastness test
Saliva test (for children’s wear)
Test of presence of AZO, PVC, Formaldehyde or any other
carsegonic substance in the garments.
21. They should have sound idea on international duty rates
and customs regulations
22. They have to procure materials from different end of the
world. Thus they should know all sea and freight forwarder details to make easy
shipment.
23. They have to contact with forwarder regularly and must
know all feeder and mother vessel schedule.
24. Keep updated records of container charges (20 feet, 40
feet, 40 feet high cube, 45 feet high cube)
25. Know all technical or commercial terms for accurate and
efficient communication.
26. They should have information of all garment trimmings
and accessories sourcing like as Printing, Embroidery, Elastic, Poly, Hanger,
Labels, Laces, Cartons and Garments manufacturing etc.
27. Always check all booking of fabrics and accessories
before and after sending; if possible get it checked by third person.
28. Excellent power of motivation to handle any situation
and improve public relations to achieve maximum benefits.
29. Be professional and keep commitment with Buyers and Suppliers.
30. Should have sound idea about commercial invoice, packing
list, assortment, EP, IP, carton box shipping mark and buyer instructions.
31. Merchandiser has to handle several issues at a time. So
always show positive attitude to resolve all problem.
32. It’s all about a game of good planning. He who got
success in this arena obviously a balance planner
33. Know all buyers compliance and various standards.
34. Keep knowledge about order execution procedures of
international buyers
35. Clear conception of the usual potential Quality problem
in Apparel merchandising.
36. They should have production-related all updated news
like inputs- outputs, daily garments production records from the factory
manager.
37. Merchandiser needs to take decision while any quality
issue arises. Thus they should have good knowledge about usual Apparel
Inspection System, Raw materials, AQL and Quality Management System. Sometimes they
have to handle third-party inspectors.
38. Should know about the Quota system, L/C terms, Banking
documentation and regulations, Free-trade and shipping.
39. A merchandiser needs to be a practical person. They
never do anything on assumption, always get clarification and keep written
records with date and time. Critical path is mandatory to be a good
merchandiser.
40. They should visit production floor daily and should
gather vast knowledge on technical issues and production process. He should
find out the root cause and provide solution instantly to get a positive
result.
41. They should visit supplier’s factory frequently that is
textile mills, embroidery factory, and printing factory, accessories factory to
make good relation and achieve sound idea on technical issues, production
lead-time, and production process.
42. A smart merchandiser should have curiosity regarding
update fashion trend. They should attend fashion related trade fair, Textile
fair, Garments Fair to gather knowledge.
A merchandiser is considered to be a pulse in the garment
industry. They have to obey several tasks at a time. Thus they should become
more diplomatic, industries and efficient. They should maintain a decent life
to accomplish their assign tasks perfectly. Merchandiser should love his task
deeply. I have compiled bunch of qualities what a merchandiser should exist. I
am hopeful that these requirements, basic practical knowledge, and skills will
be helpful to get merchandising career smoothly.
