Merchandising Activities & Some important functions ?
Merchandising Activities:
The successful execution of any garment export
order depends on the work performance of a merchandiser. The functions of
merchandising are playing a different role in different situation. Some
important functions are given as below:
Merchandiser is the person who plans and
coordinates all the activities right from the order procuring and till the
shipment order. A merchandiser should have the comprehensive knowledge of his
work procedures and responsibilities so that he could perform his job
efficiently and effectively. In the apparel export industry, a merchandiser has
to perform the following functions:
Communication: It is one of the foremost
functions of merchandiser because the merchandiser has to communicate with
different levels of people in his day to day activities.
Planning & Programming: A merchandiser has
to check the order requirement, planning for the given order, programming for
various activities, proper allocation of work to the assistants.
Follow ups: Follow up is the main task of a
merchandiser. He has to do follow up Buyer side, Supplier and also his factory
production side also. It includes sending of samples at various stages of
order, buyer and buyer house for sample and other approvals arrange in time.
Decision making: A merchandiser has to make
several decisions during the order processing like giving approvals like
fabrics, color, design, accessories, and packing, selection of suppliers and
vendors, selection of buyers, sometimes time extensions for order shipment.
Sourcing & Purchasing: A merchandiser may
have to do sourcing and purchasing for raw materials and accessories, suppliers
and vendors, new designs, new buyers.
Controlling: This is the crucial activities for
any merchandiser. A merchandiser has to make sure that all the activities are
carried out as per the planning and even if there is any deviation, he/she
should make the alternatives measures.
Coordination: Merchandiser has to coordinate in
such way to reduce the uncertainties and difficulties and if there is a problem
arises, the merchandiser has to support and lend helping hand in order to
complete the task successfully in the given period. Both the controlling and
coordinating activities complement each other and a merchandiser has to adopt
the both accordingly.
Negotiation: It is the activity of convincing,
compromising and cooperation which would benefit the both parties involved in
the negotiation. Merchandisers have to do negotiate with Buyer as well as
Supplier also.
Costing: It is the process of estimating the
expenditure of a given product and the subsequent price. It is another crucial
function because mostly order conformation depends on the price offered to the
buyers. The merchandiser should know the current prices and rates of various
products and processes to do the accurate costing.
Meeting: There are two types of meeting a
merchandiser has to be involved. First type, a merchandiser has to conduct the
meeting with the concern department in charges to discuss about the proceedings
and the status of the running order. In second type, a merchandiser has to
attend the meeting with the superiors or buyers or business people in giving
reporting or participation or discussion.
Forecasting: Forecasting is the activity of
predicting the future happenings or problems. A merchandiser has to predict the
future uncertainties in the current order or industry so that alternative
actions or corrective measures can be taken in advance this also includes
giving suggestion or ideas.
