What Does a Target General Merchandise Expert Do?

Target is one of the largest retailers in the United States. They operate more than 1,900 stores and employ over 350,000 people. A General Merchandise Expert at Target is responsible for providing customers with expert advice and assistance on a wide range of products. They must be knowledgeable about the products they are selling and be able to answer any questions customers may have. They must also be able to recommend products that meet the customer’s needs and provide excellent customer service. General Merchandise Experts must also be able to keep the store shelves stocked and organized, as well as keep up with the latest trends in the industry.

Target General Merchandise Expert Job Duties

A Target General Merchandise Expert typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Provide an exceptional guest experience by engaging guests in conversations, offering assistance with product selection and locating items throughout the store
• Maintain a neat and organized work area to ensure that merchandise is easy to locate for guests
• Ensure all products are stocked and displayed according to company standards
• Assist in creating displays and setting up promotional materials
• Monitor inventory levels and restock shelves as needed
• Process returns and exchanges quickly and accurately
• Answer questions from guests about products, services, and policies
• Provide feedback on customer service issues and suggest solutions
• Follow safety protocols and adhere to loss prevention procedures
• Participate in team meetings and training sessions
• Stay current on new products and trends in the industry
• Utilize point-of-sale systems to process transactions

Target General Merchandise Expert Salary

The salary for a General Merchandise Expert at Target is determined by a variety of factors, including the individual’s experience, education, and skillset. Additionally, the location of the store, the size of the store, and the current market conditions may also play a role in the salary for this position. Target also considers the individual’s performance and the overall demand for the position when determining the salary for a General Merchandise Expert.

• Median Annual Salary: $35,649 ($17.14/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $42,230 ($20.3/hour)

Target General Merchandise Expert Job Requirements

To be hired as a General Merchandise Expert at Target, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience in retail or customer service is preferred, but not required. Applicants must also have strong communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, applicants must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods of time. Finally, applicants must be able to pass a background check and drug test.

Target General Merchandise Expert Skills

Target General Merchandise Expert employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

Retail: General merchandise managers often work in retail stores, so they have extensive knowledge of the industry. Retailers often have a wide variety of products to sell, so general merchandise managers need to understand how to display and sell a variety of products. They also need to know how to manage inventory and how to track sales to ensure they’re making a profit.

Customer Service Expert: Customer service involves interacting with customers to provide them with a positive shopping experience. As a general merchandise expert, you may work in a variety of customer service roles, including cashier, stocker or customer relations. Customer service skills can help you develop the ability to interact with a variety of people and provide them with the information they need to make a purchase.

Inventory: Inventory management is the process of tracking the amount of products you have in stock. This is important for businesses to ensure they have enough products to meet customer demand. As a general merchandise expert, you can help businesses track their inventory and make sure they have enough products to sell.

Retail Operations: Retail operations are the processes and procedures that businesses use to sell their products. General merchandise managers often oversee the entire retail process, including the purchasing, pricing, displaying and selling of products. Understanding the retail operations of a business can help you make informed decisions about how to sell products and how to make the most profit.

Salesperson: General merchandise managers often work in sales roles, so they may need to sell products to customers. This can include working at a cash register, selling products in a physical store or online. General merchandise managers may also need to negotiate with suppliers to get the best prices for products.

Target General Merchandise Expert Work Environment

General merchandise experts typically work in retail stores, where they are responsible for stocking shelves, organizing merchandise, and helping customers find the items they need. They may also be responsible for setting up displays, pricing items, and keeping track of inventory. This job requires a great deal of physical activity, as general merchandise experts are often on their feet for long periods of time. They may also be required to lift and carry heavy items. The hours for this job can vary, as some stores are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. General merchandise experts may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Target General Merchandise Expert Trends

Here are three trends influencing how Target General Merchandise Expert employees work.

Same-Day Delivery

Same-day delivery is becoming increasingly popular among consumers, and it’s an emerging trend that general merchandise experts need to understand. With same-day delivery, customers can order items online and have them delivered within a few hours or even minutes. This type of service requires careful planning and coordination between the retailer, suppliers, and delivery companies in order to ensure timely delivery.

General merchandise experts must be aware of this trend and how it affects their business. They need to consider factors such as inventory levels, customer demand, and delivery times when making decisions about product selection and pricing. Understanding same-day delivery will help them stay competitive and meet customer expectations.

Curbside Pickup

Curbside pickup is an emerging trend in the retail industry that allows customers to order items online and pick them up at a designated location. This service has become increasingly popular due to its convenience, as it eliminates the need for customers to wait in line or search through stores for what they need.

For general merchandise experts, curbside pickup presents an opportunity to provide personalized customer service. By understanding customer needs and preferences, these experts can help ensure that orders are accurate and ready for pickup when requested. Additionally, this trend provides an opportunity to build relationships with customers by providing helpful advice and recommendations.

Global Expansion

Global expansion is an emerging trend for general merchandise experts. With the rise of e-commerce, companies are now able to reach customers all over the world and expand their product offerings. This means that general merchandise experts must be knowledgeable about global markets and trends in order to make informed decisions about which products to stock and how to price them.

General merchandise experts must also understand the cultural nuances of different countries and regions in order to effectively market their products. They must also stay up-to-date on international regulations and laws related to shipping and selling goods across borders. Understanding these factors will help ensure a successful global expansion strategy.

Advancement Prospects

As a general merchandise expert, you may be able to move up to a supervisory role, such as a store manager or department head. You may also be able to move into a corporate role, such as a buyer or merchandiser. In these roles, you would be responsible for selecting and purchasing merchandise for the store or company. You may also be able to move into a sales role, such as a sales representative or sales manager. In these roles, you would be responsible for selling merchandise to customers.

Interview Questions

Here are five common Target General Merchandise Expert interview questions and answers.

1. Which shift are you able to work?

Employers may ask this question to see if you are available for the hours they need. If you have a specific time that you prefer, be honest and explain why it works best for you. If you can work any shift, let them know that you’re flexible.

Example: “I’m able to work any of the three shifts at Target. I’ve worked all three in my previous positions, so I’m comfortable with whatever is needed. However, I do prefer working the evening shift because I find it’s the most productive for me. I like being able to get everything done before customers arrive.”

2. Describe a time where there was conflict among team members, how did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle interpersonal conflict and your ability to resolve it. Use examples from previous work experiences where you helped resolve conflict among team members or resolved a conflict with a supervisor.

Example: “In my last role, I had a coworker who was constantly late for our shifts. This made it difficult for us to complete all of our tasks on time because we were always waiting for them. After talking to them about their tardiness, they said that they would try to be on time more often. However, after several weeks, they were still frequently late.

I talked to them again and explained that while I understood there may be extenuating circumstances, if they could not commit to being on time every day, then they should consider finding another job. They agreed to find other employment elsewhere.”

3. Give us an example of a time when you used good judgement and logic to solve a problem.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach problems and make decisions. Use examples from your experience that highlight your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to use logic to find solutions.

Example: “In my previous role as a department manager at a large retail store, I had an employee who was consistently late for work. This negatively impacted their performance because they were unable to complete all of their tasks during their shift. After talking with them about it several times, I realized that they didn’t have reliable transportation to get to work on time. So, I gave them more hours so they could afford a car. They eventually got a new job closer to home and no longer needed the extra hours.”

4. How well do you work under pressure?

This question can help the interviewer determine how well you perform in a fast-paced environment. Target is known for its busy holiday seasons, so employers may want to know that you’re comfortable working under pressure and have experience with it. Use examples from your previous work or school experiences where you had to complete tasks quickly.

Example: “I’ve worked at my current job for five years now, and we get very busy during the holidays. I’m used to having to move quickly while helping customers find what they need and keeping track of inventory. I also volunteered as a candy striper when I was younger, which meant I had to learn how to organize supplies quickly before handing them out to patients.”

5. General Merchandise Experts must be able to lift 35 pounds, can you handle that type of weight?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your physical capabilities. It’s important that you can lift and move merchandise, so it’s vital that you answer this question honestly.

Example: “I have worked in retail for five years now, and I’ve never had any issues lifting 35 pounds or more. In fact, I’m used to moving 50-pound boxes of cereal on a regular basis. I think my physical strength is an asset to this position.”