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All Job CategoriesVisual merchandiser
Visual merchandiser
Window dresser, display assistant
Visual merchandisers design eye-catching product displays and store layouts to encourage sales.
Average salary (a year)
£19000
Starter
£30000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
36.0 to 38.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings
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You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; applying directly; a specialised distance learning course
College
You could do a college course before looking for a trainee job with a retailer. Courses include
Level 2 Certificate in Fashion Retail, Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Visual Merchandising, Level 4 Diploma in Merchandising for Fashion Retail, Level 4 Diploma in Visual Merchandising
Level 2 Certificate in Fashion Retail, Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Visual Merchandising, Level 4 Diploma in Merchandising for Fashion Retail, Level 4 Diploma in Visual Merchandising
Some people get into visual merchandising after doing art and design courses like fashion design or textiles.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You may be able to gain relevant experience and qualifications through an intermediate retailer, an assistant buyer-merchandiser or retail supervisor higher apprenticeships.
You could get involved with visual merchandising and use your experience to get onto a specialist course or into trainee roles.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could start as a retail worker and take on more responsibility for displays and merchandising as your experience grows.
Direct Application
You may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have retail experience and can show enthusiasm and a flair for display design.
Other Routes
You can do a Certificate in Display and Visual Merchandising through the British Display Society. This is a distance learning course and could help whether you're working in retail or looking for your first job.
More Information
Professional And Industry Bodies
You could become a member of the British Display Society for professional development and to make industry contacts.
Further Information
You can find out more about working in visual merchandising from the Fashion Retail Academy.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
To be thorough and pay attention to detail
The ability to work well with others
The ability to come up with new ways of doing things
To be flexible and open to change
The ability to sell products and services
The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
Customer service skills
Excellent verbal communication skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Day to day tasks
You could
design product displays and floor plans, or follow plans from head office, draw designs and plans by hand or on computer, use space and lighting creatively, source materials like models, props, signs and equipment, arrange displays and dress dummies, teach sales staff how to display goods, produce brand guidelines so all stores have the same look and feel
design product displays and floor plans, or follow plans from head office, draw designs and plans by hand or on computer, use space and lighting creatively, source materials like models, props, signs and equipment, arrange displays and dress dummies, teach sales staff how to display goods, produce brand guidelines so all stores have the same look and feel
Working environment
You could work at a store.
Your working environment may be physically demanding, hot and cramped.
With experience, you could progress to team leader, then visual merchandising manager.
You could also move into retail, exhibition or interior design, or set up your own business creating one-off displays.
You could become a freelance visual merchandiser and work for lots of different companies on a consultancy basis.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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