Merchandise Displayer

Your Fit

Income

$37K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

2.4%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Merchandise Displayer?

A Merchandise Displayer, also known as a visual merchandiser, specializes in designing and setting up merchandise displays in retail spaces. They creatively arrange products and decorations to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a store and to promote sales.

Sample job titles:

Display Associate, Merchandiser, Visual Merchandiser (VM), Visual Merchandising Specialist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Merchandise Displayer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Merchandise Displayer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$30K per year	$34K per year	$37K per year	$45K per year	$54K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $12K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Merchandise Displayer do?

Work environment

Merchandise Displayers typically work in retail settings such as department stores, specialty stores, and boutiques. Their environment requires a blend of creativity and practicality, often involving hands-on work with merchandise, display materials, and tools. Work hours may vary, including evenings and weekends, particularly during peak retail periods or for display overhauls.

Quick task list

Designs and creates visually appealing product displays.
Arranges products, mannequins, and decorations in store windows and interiors.
Collaborates with store managers and sales teams to align displays with sales strategies.
Maintains and updates displays to keep the store appearance fresh and appealing.
Manages inventory and display materials.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Window Displays: Designing eye-catching window displays to attract customers into the store.
In-Store Merchandising: Arranging merchandise within a store to optimize customer flow and product visibility.
Theme-Based Displays: Creating displays around specific themes, seasons, or promotions.
Event Displays: Designing displays for special events, exhibitions, or product launches.
Retail Branding: Developing a consistent visual theme that aligns with the store's brand identity.

Description

Merchandise Displayers are crucial in creating the visual appeal of a retail store, which significantly impacts customer experience and sales. They use their creativity and understanding of design principles to develop displays that not only attract customers but also effectively showcase products. This role requires a keen eye for color, composition, and current trends, as well as an understanding of the store's target market.

In addition to artistic skills, Merchandise Displayers need to be practical and resourceful. They often work within budget constraints and must be able to use a variety of materials effectively. The job involves physical work, such as lifting and moving items, and the use of tools for creating displays.

The field offers a dynamic and ever-changing work environment. Successful Merchandise Displayers are those who can adapt quickly, are willing to experiment with new ideas, and can effectively communicate their vision to others. The role offers a blend of creative expression and practical retail strategy, making it a fulfilling career choice for those with a passion for design and retail.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Bringing creative ideas to life through visual displays.
Seeing the direct impact of your work on store traffic and sales.
The variety of projects and the opportunity to work with different products and themes.

You might make a good Merchandise Displayer if you are...

Creative with a strong visual sense and a passion for design.
Hands-on, enjoy crafting and working with different materials.
Detail-oriented and able to see the bigger picture in a retail setting.
Good at planning and organizing, able to manage projects from concept to completion.
Able to work independently and as part of a team.

Pros:

Opportunity to be creative and work in a dynamic environment.
Satisfaction of seeing your work influence customer behavior and sales.
Variety in day-to-day tasks and projects.

Cons:

Physical demands of setting up displays.
Working non-traditional hours, especially during major retail seasons.
May face budgetary and space constraints.

How to become a Merchandise Displayer

Typical education

While formal education is not always mandatory, many Merchandise Displayers have completed a certificate or associate's degree program in visual merchandising, fashion merchandising, or a related field. This equates to about 1-2 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Art and Design courses to develop a foundation in visual aesthetics.
Business or Marketing to understand retail principles.
Home Economics or Shop classes for practical skills in crafting and construction.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participation in art clubs or design competitions.
Volunteering to decorate for school or community events.
Part-time work or internships in retail to gain industry experience.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a certificate or associate's degree in visual merchandising, fashion merchandising, or a related field.
Gain experience through internships or entry-level positions in retail environments.
Build a portfolio showcasing display projects and design concepts.
Attend workshops or seminars related to retail design and merchandising trends.
Network with professionals in the industry through events and retail associations.

More resources

National Retail Federation (NRF) - Offers resources and information on retail careers and trends.
Retail Design Institute - Provides a community and resources for retail design professionals.
Visual Merchandising and Store Design - An online magazine with the latest in visual merchandising and store design.
Behance - A platform to showcase and discover creative work, including visual merchandising portfolios.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.