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Visual merchandisers develop, deliver and communicate visual concepts and strategies to promote brands, products and services in-store, in catalogues or online, and create displays of merchandise.

Main tasks

  • Provides feedback about displays to managers and designers.
  • Prepares an area for new display, constructs or assembles displays from a variety of materials, and dismantles existing displays and returns merchandise to relevant departments.
  • Implements plans from display designers or display managers or develops ideas and plans for merchandise display or window dressing.
  • Consults with advertising and sales staff and advises retailers on the optimal display of a product and of any promotions.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£40,813.45

Average earnings

£21,107.72

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

What course level do I need to study?

The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.

Educational requirements: Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Level of study Percentage achieved
Level 0 1%
Level 1 6%
Level 2 16%
Level 3 25%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education) 15%
Level 6 (Bachelors) 26%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) 10%

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.