Example Career: Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers

Career Description

Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.

What Job Titles Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers Might Have

• Display Associate
• Merchandiser
• Visual Manager
• Visual Merchandiser (VM)

What Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers Do

• Plan commercial displays to entice and appeal to customers.
• Arrange properties, furniture, merchandise, backdrops, or other accessories, as shown in prepared sketches.
• Change or rotate window displays, interior display areas, or signage to reflect changes in inventory or promotion.
• Place prices or descriptive signs on backdrops, fixtures, merchandise, or floor.
• Consult with store managers, buyers, sales associates, housekeeping staff, or engineering staff to determine appropriate placement of displays or products.
• Maintain props, products, or mannequins, inspecting them for imperfections, doing touch-ups, cleaning up after customers, or applying preservative coatings as necessary.
• Develop ideas or plans for merchandise displays or window decorations.
• Assemble or set up displays, furniture, or products in store space while utilizing colors, lights, pictures, or other accessories to display the product.
• Install booths, exhibits, displays, carpets, or drapes, as guided by floor plan of building or specifications.
• Select themes, lighting, colors, or props to be used.
• Consult with advertising or sales staff to determine type of merchandise to be featured and time and place for each display.
• Attend training sessions or corporate planning meetings to obtain new ideas for product launches.
• Collaborate with others to obtain products or other display items.
• Construct or assemble displays or display components from fabric, glass, paper, or plastic, using hand tools or woodworking power tools, according to specifications.
• Obtain plans from display designers or display managers and discuss their implementation with clients or supervisors.
• Take photographs of displays or signage.
• Dress mannequins for displays.
• Supervise or train staff members on daily tasks, such as visual merchandising.
• Store, pack, and maintain inventory records of props, products, or display items.
• Use computers to produce signage.
• Prepare sketches, floor plans, or models of proposed displays.
• Instruct sales staff in color coordination of clothing racks or counter displays.
• Cut out designs on cardboard, hardboard, or plywood, according to motif of event.
• Install decorations, such as flags, banners, festive lights, or bunting on or in building, street, exhibit hall, or booth.

What Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers Should Be Good At

• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

What Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers Should Be Interested In

• Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

What Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers Need to Learn

• 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.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.