Online Merchandising Degree Programs

A merchandising degree and career is one of the most essential aspects in the business world. The retail merchandising program deals with procurement of goods and services.

Merchandising is the marketing practice where a brand or image from one product or service is used to sell another. Merchandising is therefore the technique that is used to sell products to consumers or clients. In turn, a merchandiser is a professional who purchases products from a manufacturer, and then sells them to shoppers. Just about every company and business relies on sales, marketing, and distribution professionals as this helps to make sure their company or services and products get noticed and reach potential customers. Due to the fact that businesses and stores rely on merchandising, you need to have the ability to buy items at cheap prices and make sure you get the best quality out of them to market a product or service. Merchandising is required in all industries including fashion, super centers, department stores and much more. It is one of the top industries therefore, if you feel you have what it takes, why not consider a merchandising degree?

Search for Online Merchandising Degrees

Locate Retail Merchandising Schools in your area

Selected Marketing and Online Merchandising Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

• BS in Business/Retail Management
• BS in Communication/Marketing and Sales Communication

Capella University

• BS - Retail Management
  

Jones International University

• BBA in Customer Care Management
• BBA in Sales and Marketing Management
• BABC in Sales and Marketing

Strayer University - Campus and Strayer University Online

• BBA: Retail Management

Kaplan University

• AAS in Business Administration - Customer Service
• BS in Business Administration / Retail Management

DeVry University

• Bachelor's - Business Administration - Sales and Marketing

Art Institute Online and The Art Institute Campus

• B.S. Fashion & Retail Management

Retail Merchandising Education and Training

Merchandising training allows you to be able to learn creativity needed in the workplace and can allow you the ability to take a few different paths career wise. You are going to need to have training in business and design courses as this can prepare you for a leadership position.

There are both two-year and four-year colleges to choose from and some of the courses you may be required to take include an introduction to art, consumer merchandising, retail sales, merchandise marketing, business administration, leadership skills, design, and creative abilities.

The type of education you are going to need all depends on the industry you work in. You are also going to need to have graduated high school as well. You may also have to have done an internship to gain some kind of experience for either a Bachelors or Masters degree.

Merchandising Careers

As a merchandiser, you are responsible for making sure that items are well displayed in easy to see spots at the correct times. You are going to have to work with buying teams to determine when the trends are and what the trend will be. You are going to be responsible for what should be purchased as well as the quantity. You will also be responsible for overseeing distribution of stock and you will be required to deal with suppliers. You will have to set prices to ensure profit is being made.

The types of jobs you can get as a merchandiser can include some of the following: fashion or departments stores and retail outlets, wholesale suppliers, mail order companies, fast food franchises, supermarkets, and direct distribution manufacturers. Areas of specialization include: Visual Merchandising, Merchandising Display, Merchandising Software, Retail Merchandising, Store Merchandising, and Fashion Merchandising.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

When you are first starting out, you can expect to make about $31,500 and up, and this depends on your experience and educational training you have. Although, entry level salaries may be a little lower. The more experience you have the higher your pay goes, and after a few years you can expect to make $67,653 and up. Salaries depend on your location, type of store or company you are working for, as well as your time of being trained.

A career is merchandising is expected to increase about 15% over the next few years making the job outlook rather well. No matter what industry you are interested in, getting a job is going to be relatively simple. The more experience you have, the better the opportunity will be. Keep working hard and you can enjoy a career in this thriving industry. But the first step is to complete a merchandising degree.