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Apparel Merchandising Your Pathway to Garment Industry

05-Jul-2023

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Fashion is immortal. It has kept revolving over the years and the old garbs kept coming back in new and innovative forms. Flashy or subtle, every outfit has a type. They are tailored to specific choices and demands. From the process of manufacturing to the fascinating displays of the clothing stores, various tasks need to be carried out. An apparel merchandiser is an inseparable part of this massive workflow. If you are thinking of enrolling in a merchandising course, there are a few things that must not surpass your attention.

Understanding Apparel Merchandising


An apparel merchandiser should not be mistaken for a seller. It is not the primary job of an apparel merchandiser. An apparel merchandiser helps in building a passage between the seller, who could be the manufacturer and the buyer.
 
The roles and responsibilities of the apparel merchandiser are manifold. Once an order is placed with a company or a manufacturer, a merchandiser ensures that it reaches successfully to the buyer. Therefore, all the tasks that are aligned in this process are overseen by the merchandiser.
 
In all the stages that follow, once an order is made by the buyer, the merchandiser becomes an interlinking part. The concerns of quantity demanded, the required quality, and timely execution, as well as delivery, are addressed by them. Every task that is integrated into the supply chain is dealt with by the merchandisers. They address the needs of the buyer and make sure that their demands are being fulfilled.
 
Apparel merchandising has the scope of visual and retail merchandising. However, the concerns more or less remain the same for visual, retail, and apparel merchandisers.    

From Production to Shipment


Some various roles and responsibilities have to be performed by an apparel merchandiser. Starting from the process of receiving an order, which includes meeting with the clients, merchandisers have to look into various procedures from production to delivery. Here are various responsibilities that one has to take as an apparel merchandiser.
  1. Talking with the Client: As the apparel merchandiser has the knowledge of the construction of an outfit, they are part of the business-client meeting. Before deciding the quantity, the merchandisers have to understand what is the demand of the client.
  2. Product Sampling: Usually, three types of sampling processes become a part of the procedure i.e. fabric sampling, garment sampling, and trims and accessories sampling. The process of sampling, also, ensures that the costs and expenditures do not surpass the initial estimate. The merchandiser has to make sure that the products that are being sent for sampling are manufactured by keeping the demands of the client in focus.
  3. Garment Making: The garment production starts when everything i.e. fabric, trims, and accessories, has received the approval of the client. A meeting with the merchandiser and the other crucial staff members, i.e. planning manager, inventory manager, and quality manager, takes place. Thereafter, the sewing line layout is decided.
  4. Shipping the End Product: For shipping, an apparel merchandiser has to get in touch with the commercial department. They have to pass certain instructions to the department to ensure that the products received by the client are in immaculate condition. The instructions of the apparel merchandiser are abided by the commercial team.
Understanding this gist, one can understand the depth and significance of the role of an apparel merchandiser in the fashion industry. The number of evaluations and inspections can be multiple for them. It takes a great deal of patience, assertive communication skills, and attention to detail for the job.  

Job Market for Apparel Merchandisers


The fashion industry has been constantly evolving. Therefore, an aspiring apparel merchandiser needs to exhibit demanded qualities that are latest in the industry. There are diverse job opportunities available for the candidates to explore in the market. Since the learning of the aspirants, in the league, is vast, they can be appointed for various job roles.
 
These include sampling merchandiser, store manager, planning merchandiser, buying house merchandiser, marketing specialist, retail merchandiser, visual merchandiser, and consultant. It is one of the most exciting job spheres for a candidate. However, with the changing scenario, the educational qualifications for a candidate are also evolving.
 
With the rising popularity of the courses and fashion schools in the region, every year one would observe a large number of students applying for a merchandising course in Delhi. The students receive the best exposure to the ultra-modern facilities within the institutions located in the vicinity.  

Life as a Student


The enthralling journey of an apparel merchandiser includes theoretical knowledge and practical training in diverse concepts. Some of the topics include-
  1. Understanding the fabric i.e. its origin, the quality, etc.
  2. Knowledge of an end-product
  3. Diverse aspects of fashion merchandising
  4. Understanding of consumer behavior
  5. Brand management.
The student has to learn and understand the key aspects of marketing and business. The students, in the present scenario, receive real-world exposure with internships. These internships are offered to students by established brands. An impressive merit record is highly beneficial for receiving the best opportunities for internships, in the field. 

Gateway to Fashion World


It is possible for students to join the fashion industry with the help of an apparel merchandising course. For many students, a course in apparel merchandising acts as a supplement to their existing knowledge and knack of fashion. They can develop it further for making a career in the fashion world. However, it demands practice and experience, which could be gained by working in the best setups in the domain. Students, thus, decide to pursue apparel & merchandising course in Delhi with the best institutes in the field.

The Key Takeaways


  1. An apparel merchandiser is part of the massive workflow that takes place in a manufacturing facility.
  2. From receiving an order to its timely delivery to the client, an apparel merchandiser has a lot of things to do in the process.
  3. The various job roles of a merchandiser include attending business meetings, product sampling, multiple inspections, evaluating the making of the product, and shipping.
  4. The journey starts with enrolling in an apparel merchandising course.
  5. With dedication, many aspirants from the field make it to lucrative job opportunities in the fashion industry.