Merchandisers ensure that products appear in the right place, at the appropriate time and in the correct quantities. This involves working closely with the buying individual consumers to accurately forecast trends, plan stock levels and monitor performance.

Duties vary depending on the company and the particular retail sector, but will typically include:

• Planning product ranges and preparing sales and stock plans in conjunction with buyers
• Laising with buyers, stores, suppliers and distributors
• Maintaining a comprehensive record of appropriate data
• Working closely with other staff and department heads to decide how goods should be displayed to maximize sales
• Planning budgets and presenting sales forecasts and figures for new ranges
• Controlling stock levels based on forecasts for the season
• To handle sales statistics, produce sales projections and present spreadsheets and graphs
• Monitoring slow sellers and taking action to reduce prices or set promotions as necessary
• Gathering information on customers' reactions to products
• Managing, training and supervising junior staff