Visual merchandiser
Visual merchandisers design eye-catching product displays and store layouts that appeal to customers and encourage sales.
Also known as: Window dresser, display assistant
- Starter salary£23,000 a year
- Experienced£31,000 a year
- Typical hours36 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a visual merchandiser, you could:
- create floor plans and product displays, using design software
- use space and lighting creatively
- find suppliers for materials like models, props, signs and equipment
- arrange fashion displays and dress retail dummies
- work with marketing teams on promotions and product launches
- support new store openings and refurbishments
- train sales staff on how to display products
- follow brand guidelines to create a consistent look across all stores
Working environment
You could work at a store.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and cramped.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- customer service skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to sell products and services
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a visual merchandiser
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- a specialised distance learning course
College
You could do a college course before looking for a trainee job with a retailer. Courses include:
- retail skills
- fashion business and retail
- visual display and branding for fashion
- retail and visual merchandising operations
Some people get into visual merchandising after doing art and design, fashion design or textiles at college.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply for a place on an apprenticeship with a company. These include:
- Retailer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Retail Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Buying and Merchandising Assistant Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start as a retail worker and take on more responsibility for displays and merchandising as your experience grows. You could also study for qualifications in merchandising while you work.
Direct application
You may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have retail experience and can show enthusiasm and a flair for display design.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could progress to team leader, then visual merchandising manager.
You could also move into retail buying, exhibition design or interior design, or set up your own business creating one-off displays.
You could become a freelance visual merchandiser and work for different companies on a consultancy basis.
Career tips
It will help to have a portfolio of work to showcase your creative ideas and design skills to potential employers.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleSales assistant
- Job roleExhibition designer
- Job rolePhotographic stylist
- Job roleRetail buyer
- Job roleInterior designer
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