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.