Retail Merchandiser

Job Overview:

The Retail Merchandiser at the corporate level is responsible for developing, executing, and overseeing merchandising strategies across all retail outlets to optimize product assortment, ensure inventory accuracy, and maximize sales and profitability. This role acts as the strategic link between the marketing, demand planning, sourcing, supply chain, and store operations teams. The corporate merchandiser will use data analytics, market trends, and store performance insights to drive decisions and implement company-wide merchandising standards and guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Merchandising Strategy & Planning

•Develop seasonal and annual merchandising plans aligned with brand positioning and business goals.

•Product Mix : Analyze sales trends, customer behavior, market demand, and store feedback to plan product assortment and range.

•Collaborate with the demand planning team for SKU-level forecasting and replenishment strategies.

•Define product lifecycle timelines and Product Mix strategies for each category.

2. Product Mix / Assortment & Allocation

•Finalize product mix per region/store format based on past performance, Market Trend  demographics, and local preferences. 

•Work closely with the purchasing and sourcing teams to ensure timely availability of merchandise.

•Monitor and adjust store-level allocations based on sell-through, stock levels, and promotional performance.

3. Visual Merchandising Direction

•Set corporate guidelines for visual merchandising, product placement, and display standards.

•Coordinate with in-store teams to ensure brand consistency and execution of visual merchandising strategy.

4. Performance Monitoring & Reporting

•Track and report key merchandising KPIs (sell-through rate, stock turnover, margin performance, etc.)

•Conduct weekly/monthly reviews to evaluate product, category, and regional performance.

•Provide actionable insights and strategic adjustments to the merchandising strategy based on reports.

5.Cross-Functional Teams

•Collaborate with marketing for product promotions, campaigns, and seasonal launches.

•Align with warehouse and logistics teams for timely product movement and space optimization.

•Liaise with store operations for merchandising execution and stock feedback.

6. Promotions & Price Management

•Plan and manage seasonal, festival, and clearance promotions in coordination with marketing.

•Review and approve pricing strategies in alignment with competition, brand value, and margin goals.

•Monitor promotional ROI and make data-driven adjustments.

7. Inventory & Stock Optimization

•Maintain optimal stock levels across all stores, ensuring neither overstock nor stockouts.

•Work with supply chain to review slow-moving and non-moving items and plan clearance strategies.

•Analyze aging inventory and manage liquidation plans.

8. Market & Competitor Analysis

•Monitor competitor merchandising strategies, pricing, and promotions.

•Keep abreast of consumer trends and integrate insights into future merchandising planning.

Key Result Areas (KRAs)

•Category-wise sales performance vs. forecast

•Sell-through % and inventory turnover ratio

•Gross margin return on investment (GMROI)

•Stock-out and overstock % reduction

•Success rate of promotional activities

•Store compliance with merchandising standards