What is the difference between buying and merchandising

The Merchandiser uses this information to piece the range together, using historical data and financial information to decide on stock volumes and predict the success of the products. As you can see, there are a number of differences between the two roles, and one may be much more suitable for you than the other. Your main responsibilities would include forecasting sales for the department, allocating the correct amount of stock for various stores, and creating a budget for Buyers.

In essence, fashion Merchandising is all about maximising sales, so on a store level it might also include choosing how to display and promote products to get the most consumer interest. On the other hand, the most fundamental concern when it comes to fashion buying is choosing which specific products to buy from an aesthetic and trend-led point of view. They also decide which suppliers the brand should work with, and negotiate prices for all stock.

They must balance customer insights with a strict budget at all times — leading to a varied and dynamic day-to-day. Sound like you? At the FRA, we operate a large number of fashion buying courses and fashion business courses. Designed to fast-track your route into a role in Buying and Merchandising, our highly practical and vocational course also only costs two-thirds of the costs of other degrees. Whether you dream of becoming a Merchandiser or are wondering how to become a fashion Buyer, the course prepares you equally for each discipline.

On any given day, future Merchandisers might learn about risk reduction, production quality and range development, while prospective Buyers will learn how to spot seasonal trends and analyse customer behaviour. As well as the unique and highly effective nature of our accelerated course, the Fashion Retail Academy itself has plenty to offer for future fashion students.

Firstly, we are focused in helping you to secure employment following the completion of your studies. You really are learning from the best. One of the things which makes our college so unique is the sheer amount of industry input which shapes each and every one of our courses.

In fact, we collaborate with over retail brands to deliver relevant, accurate and insightful programmes designed to help you excel in your studies and beyond. Some of our alumni have gone on to do amazing things. The work placement opportunities were a key highlight for me, as this was invaluable knowledge that you could not learn in a classroom, and set me up for a career in retail. Are you interested in studying with us here at the FRA?

We use cookies to improve user experience on our website. If you click on accept you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website.

Please note, if you decline cookies the live chat will not be available. See our cookie policy for more information on cookies and how to manage them.

Cookies are small pieces of data that website store on your browser when you visit them. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise your visit and collect information about how you use that website. You can choose which type of optional cookies you wish to accept below. You can also manage these preferences at any time via the Cookie Policy , where you will also find more information about our cookies. A fashion merchandiser uses the following skills to successfully create a perfect retail environment:.

Employers do not always require a college education for job applicants in both roles, but fashion, business and retail-based degrees may increase an individual's opportunities. However, the qualifications vary depending on the size of the company and their particular sector. For an aspiring fashion buyer, degrees like finance and business management are beneficial for their job role, and employers highly value procurement experience. For an aspiring fashion merchandiser, degrees such as fashion merchandising and marketing can prove to be useful.

Employers rely on some years of experience for both occupations. For fashion buyers, there are some certifications that may make an applicant more marketable. Some of the common certifications include:. For fashion merchandisers, certifications are less defined. While there are some general fashion merchandising certifications offered online, this role is more concerned with applicants having merchandise display experience.

Most fashion buyers work in offices and sometimes have to visit suppliers to review their merchandise. They typically work 40 hours per week and occasionally have to work additional hours. Fashion buyers may collaborate with other departments like sales, research and marketing.

Fashion merchandisers work primarily within the stores and often travel from store to store to help with the setup and layout process. They work an average of 40 hours per week but may have to come into work early before opening. They frequently engage with customers and may be present to answer questions that customers have about the merchandise and promotions.

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed. Find jobs. Company reviews. Find salaries. Upload your resume. Sign in. Finding a Job. What is buying in fashion? Each plays a major role in the success of the store they are working for.

While their jobs are very similar, they each have their own tasks that are necessary to make their store successful. Even though you can combine both jobs into one position, the best practice is to separate the two to make sure everything gets done efficiently and effectively. Your email address will not be published. Leave this field empty.

Skip to content. First and foremost this role suits a graduate with commercial empathy. It also suits a natural trend setter as buyers sometimes have to remain months ahead of the consumer and know what future fashions will be. The ability to draw conclusions from data and make decisions is critical too. Buyers will constantly review sales data and see what products are selling well and what are not, in order to decide what to buy in the future.