Merchandising

Welcome to the discussion on

Merchandising

Definition of merchandiser

The main role of a garments merchandiser is to collect garments export order (export L/C), produce the garments, export the garments and earn profit, to perform those functions successfully needs lot of knowledge, experience & tremendous effort for a merchandiser. The term merchandising is defined as follows:

Definition of merchandising

•The term merchandising related with trade

•Trade means buying & selling

•The person who is involved with trade, he/she is a merchandiser

•And the activities of a merchandiser is known as a merchandising

To know about Merchandising we should have to know the followings

What is Merchandising? 

Who are Merchandisers?

The qualities a Merchandiser should have

What are the responsibilities of a Merchandiser?

What are the responsibilities of a Junior Merchandiser? 

Works involved in Merchandising Role & Necessity of a Merchandiser in Garments Trade

What is Merchandising?

Merchadising

The Word Merchandising came from Merchant. The work of Merchant is to buy and sell.

So Merchandising is to buy and sell products in a reasonable profit i.e. Merchandising means Trading.

In common sense in Garments Trade Merchandising is

Buy (Fabrics+ Accessories) Process Sell (RMG)

Who are Merchandisers?

The Person who deals with Trade, he/she is a Merchandiser.

The person who deals with the Garments Trade is a Garments Merchandiser.

The qualities, a Merchandiser should have

Should be technically sound having clear conception about:

1.      Textile fiber, yarn & fabrics

2.      Dyeing, printing & finishing

3.      Garments Manufacturing, washing and dyeing

4.      Garments and other testing.

• Should have knowledge about collection of an order.
• Should have knowledge about Production Planning & Scheduling. Should have knowledge about sourcing of material
• Self-motivated and working ability, smart with fluent speaking and writing ability in English.
• Should have knowledge about costing & commercial activities an so on. Should have knowledge about fabric and thread consumption.

What are the responsibilities of a Merchandiser?

• Sample development. Price negotiation.
• Order confirmation.
• L.C. opening. [Import Section]. 
• Sourcing of materials.
• Material collection. 
• Quality checking.
• Production planning and control. 
• Arranging final inspection.
• Arranging shipment. [Export Section].
• What are the responsibilities of a Junior Merchandiser?

> Quantity: He should check the supplied goods’ quantity from inventory report.

> Quality: Should check the quality of the supplied goods and get approval from the concern buying office.

> P.P. (Pre Production) Meeting: the scheduling is done and target is also fixed up. Meeting is arranged by the Junior Merchandiser but headed by the Senior Merchandiser. Quality Manager, Maintenance Manage etc. may be present in this meeting.

> Supplying Order Sheet to individual production unit: After checking Quantity, Quality and after the Pre Production Meeting, the Junior Merchandiser prepares & supplies the Order Sheet to the production units.

> production Monitoring as per target & report to Senior Merchandiser. Arranging final inspection.

• Arranging shipment.
• Works involved in Merchandising
• Practically a Merchandiser should do the following works
• Searching the buyer, showing him the company profile and convince him to place order with the

merchandiser’s factory.

If buyer shows interest, then collect PDM (product Development Manual) from him.

Prepare costing according to the PDM and submit with the consent of the higher authority.

Make sample and try to get approval.

When the costing and samples are approved, request the buyer to confirm the order and to confirm the total order qty. per style along with lead time.

Prepare a TNA(Time and Action) plan with the buyer to meet the shipment without any problem.

If everything is ok, then place order with the fabric and accessories supplier.

Works involved in Merchandising Request the suppliers to submit sample to get approval from buyer. Issue B/B L/C in favor of buyer against Sales Contract.

Request the buyer to provide color and size breakdown and request the supplier to produce as per this breakdown.

After getting approval, request the supplier for bulk production and in house the materials according the TNA.

Submit the sample according to the sample TNA provided by the buyer and approve them.

Arrange PP meeting and go to bulk production.

Request the buyer to provide PO and to open Master L/C and adjust the sales contract against the master L/C.

Make packing list and get approval

Submit all the documents to the commercial dept. before at least one week of shipment.

Arrange final inspection as per consent of the buyer. Final inspection may be done by the buyer’s representative or any Third party organization.

Works involved in Merchandising

If goods pass the inspection then inform the commercial dept. and dispatch the goods to the port to hand over to the CNF (Clearer and Forwarder) CNF will forward the goods to the vessel.

After receiving the goods, if the buyer provides acceptance, collect payment as per L/C terms and conditions.Role & Necessity of a Merchandiser in Garments Trade A Merchandiser plays vital role in garments trade. Basically a Merchandiser is the heart of the trade.

The collaboration between buyer and factory, the synchronization of production & quality department is done by the Merchandisers.

Merchandisers are responsible for the total order and shipment.