What Does a Digital Merchandiser Do?
Find out what a digital merchandiser does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as a digital merchandiser.
Digital merchandisers are responsible for creating and managing digital marketing campaigns. They work with a variety of different companies, from e-commerce retailers to traditional brick-and-mortar stores, helping them decide which products should be featured on their website or social media channels.
Digital merchandising is an ever-changing field that requires constant attention to new technologies and trends. Digital merchandisers must stay up to date on the latest software and hardware so they can effectively manage their clients’ digital marketing efforts.
Digital Merchandiser Job Duties
A digital merchandiser typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Presenting ideas for new merchandise items to store managers based on market trends
- Recommending changes to in-store displays to increase customer engagement with products
- Reporting sales results to management to help them determine what items are selling well and which ones need to be removed from the store
- Observing customer reactions to products in stores to help identify ways to improve sales
- Communicating with vendors to place orders, track inventory levels, and resolve billing issues
- Participating in merchandising planning sessions to develop strategies for upcoming seasons
- Working with marketing departments to coordinate special events or promotions with in-store displays
- Creating promotional materials such as flyers, brochures, or catalogs that highlight items for sale in a store
- Developing digital content such as banners, ads, or videos for social media channels
Digital Merchandiser Salary & Outlook
Digital merchandisers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the company they work for. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of commissions and bonuses.
- Median Annual Salary: $60,500 ($29.09/hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $95,000 ($45.67/hour)
The employment of digital merchandisers is expected to decline over the next decade.
Digital technology has allowed retailers to streamline their operations and reduce costs. As a result, some digital merchandisers may be replaced by automation or software programs that can perform similar tasks more efficiently.
Digital Merchandiser Job Requirements
A digital merchandiser typically needs the following qualifications:
Education: Employers typically require a minimum of a high school diploma or GED for digital merchandisers. Some employers may prefer a bachelor’s degree in marketing, merchandising or a related field. Relevant coursework includes e-commerce, marketing, business and statistics.
Training & Experience: Digital merchandisers typically receive on-the-job training from their new employers. This training may include learning about the company’s products and services, the digital merchandising software they use and the workflow and processes they follow.
Certifications & Licenses: Certifications can prove digital merchandisers’ skills and allow them to advance their careers. Some employers may expect retail merchandising certifications. Others may prefer digital-specific credentials.
Digital Merchandiser Skills
Digital merchandisers need the following skills in order to be successful:
Product knowledge: A digital merchandiser needs to have a thorough understanding of the products they’re selling. This includes knowing the product’s features, benefits and specifications. You should also be familiar with the product’s history, including any changes the company has made to the product over time. This can help you answer customer questions and provide them with the information they need to make a purchasing decision.
Marketing skills: A digital merchandiser often works with marketing teams to develop strategies for selling products online. This requires knowledge of marketing strategies and tactics, including how to create effective marketing campaigns. For example, a digital merchandiser may help a marketing team develop a marketing strategy for a new product launch, including how to advertise the product, how to track the campaign’s success and how to improve the campaign if it isn’t successful.
Search engine optimization (SEO): Search engine optimization is the process of optimizing a website to increase its visibility in search engine results. This involves analyzing a website’s content and structure to ensure it’s optimized for search engines. As a digital merchandiser, you may be responsible for maintaining a company’s online store, which requires you to have a basic understanding of SEO.
Social media marketing: Social media marketing is the process of creating and managing social media accounts. This is an important skill for a digital merchandiser because it allows them to promote products and brands on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This skill also allows them to create engaging content that encourages people to interact with the brand.
Inventory management: Inventory management is the ability to track and organize the supply of products. As a digital merchandiser, you may be responsible for managing inventory for an online store. This includes tracking the current inventory levels, ordering new products when the supply is low and ensuring the products are properly stored.
Digital Merchandiser Work Environment
Digital merchandisers are responsible for the online presence of a company’s products. They work with web designers and developers to create an appealing and user-friendly website, and they also select and oversee the placement of products on the site. In addition, digital merchandisers track customer behavior on the site and analyze data to determine which products are selling well and which ones need to be promoted more. They also develop marketing campaigns and work with the sales team to ensure that the campaigns are effective. Digital merchandisers typically work in an office environment, but they may also travel to meet with clients or attend conferences.
Digital Merchandiser Trends
Here are three trends influencing how digital merchandisers work. Digital merchandisers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.
The Growth of Digital Commerce
The growth of digital commerce is a trend that is quickly changing the way that people shop. As more and more people turn to their computers and smartphones to make purchases, businesses are starting to realize the importance of having a strong online presence.
This is where digital merchandisers come in. By understanding how to create a visually appealing online store, they can help businesses attract new customers and generate sales. In order to be successful in this field, digital merchandisers need to be familiar with the latest trends in web design and marketing.
More Focus on Personalization
As consumers become more accustomed to receiving personalized experiences from businesses, they will expect the same level of personalization when it comes to shopping. This means that digital merchandisers will need to focus on creating unique experiences for each customer.
By using data-driven insights, digital merchandisers can create products and campaigns that are tailored specifically to each individual’s interests. This type of personalization can lead to increased engagement and loyalty among customers.
A Greater Emphasis on Customer Experience
Customers are becoming increasingly demanding, and they are looking for businesses that provide an exceptional customer experience. This means that digital merchandisers need to focus on providing a great experience for customers both online and offline.
In order to do this, digital merchandisers need to understand what makes customers happy and then find ways to meet those needs. They also need to be able to track and measure customer satisfaction so that they can make changes if necessary.
How to Become a Digital Merchandiser
A career in digital merchandising can be incredibly rewarding. It offers the opportunity to work with a variety of products, brands, and customers. You’ll also have the chance to learn about new technologies and trends that are shaping the retail industry.
To get started in this field, it’s important to have a strong foundation in marketing and e-commerce. You should also be familiar with the latest trends in online shopping and customer experience. Additionally, it’s helpful to have some coding skills so you can build custom solutions for your clients.
Related: How to Write a Digital Merchandiser Resume
Advancement Prospects
Advancement prospects for digital merchandisers are good. As the field of digital merchandising is relatively new, there are many opportunities for those with experience to move into management or executive-level positions. Additionally, digital merchandisers who are able to successfully increase online sales for their company may be able to negotiate for a higher salary or position within the company. Those who wish to be their own boss may start their own digital merchandising business.
Digital Merchandiser Job Description Example
As a digital merchandiser at [CompanyX], you will be responsible for developing and executing our digital merchandising strategy across all channels. This will include creating and managing product assortments, developing promotional and pricing strategies, and analyzing customer behavior data to optimize the customer experience. You will work closely with the ecommerce, marketing, and creative teams to ensure that our products are presented in the most effective way possible. The ideal candidate will have experience in digital merchandising, ecommerce, and customer experience. He or she will be highly analytical, detail-oriented, and able to think strategically about how to grow our business.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Develop and execute digital merchandising plans that align with business objectives, customer needs, and brand standards
- Analyze customer behavior data to identify trends and optimize the customer experience
- Create and maintain product assortments that are reflective of customer demand and business goals
- Work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement site content strategies that improve organic search visibility and drive conversions
- Manage on-site promotions, coupons, and other marketing initiatives to increase traffic and conversion
- Monitor inventory levels and adjust product mix as needed to minimize stockouts and maximize sales
- Conduct regular competitive analysis to keep abreast of industry trends and best practices
- Stay up-to-date on new products and services, and ensure that product information is accurate and reflects current offerings
- Partner with creative team to develop engaging and visually appealing product pages
- Review site analytics regularly to identify areas of improvement and recommend changes
- Assist in the development and execution of annual eCommerce budget
- Perform quality assurance testing prior to site updates and new launches
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field
- 3-5 years experience in ecommerce merchandising or a similar role
- Proven track record of successful product launches and promotions
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to make decisions
- Excellent project management skills
- Creative thinker with the ability to think outside the box
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
- Master’s degree in business, marketing, or related field
- Experience with web analytics tools, such as Google Analytics
- Experience with A/B testing tools, such as Optimizely
- Experience with email marketing platforms, such as MailChimp
- Knowledge of HTML and CSS
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