Merchandising is one of the most essential functions in the retail industry, as it helps stores increase sales and be more profitable.

Many retail merchants rely on merchandising professionals for this valuable service. Working in this capacity can be rewarding, but it also has a few potential drawbacks to consider.

Flexible Work

One of the major advantages of working in merchandising is that you can work on a flexible schedule.

Most merchandisers do not have to work a set schedule and can get their work done on their own time. A certain amount of work is assigned, which must be completed in a fixed period of time. In some cases, you could work hard a few days a week and then have some time off.

Work with People

If you are the type of person that enjoys working with people on a daily basis, merchandising could be for you.

With this position, you will have to get to know managers and employees of several retail establishments.

By developing relationships with these employees, you can find out what a business needs and then provide it. Since you will be travelling around to different stores, you will not have to worry about seeing the same people every day.

Income

While the job of a merchandiser can be rewarding and exciting, it typically does not pay that well. Although pay rates can vary significantly from one case to the next, the average merchandiser makes less than £6 per hour.

When you factor in the time and gas lost driving from one location to the next, you may make even less than that. By comparison, you could make more in many other jobs related to the retail industry.

Responsibilities

Another potential disadvantage of working in merchandising is that you could have to cover a large territory, which carries large responsibility. When you work in this field, you are typically in charge of setting up displays, showing off new products and handling each store individually. If you have many stores to take care of in a region, it can be a bit overwhelming. Depending on the job, you may also have to engage in negotiation with buyers from retail outlets.