Retail

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• completing private industry-recognised training

University

You can do a degree before joining a retail company as a trainee merchandiser. Employers recruit from a range of degree subjects. Particularly relevant subjects include:

• marketing
• fashion buying and merchandising
• fashion and business
• retail business management

It's useful to get some retail or office based experience during your studies to help you stand out when you apply for graduate roles.

Your university careers service can help you to find summer placement, internship and year placement opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You can take a college course to become a retail merchandiser. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Retail Operations
• Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Retail
• Level 3 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations

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

For 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 start through a retailer intermediate apprenticeship or retail team leader advanced apprenticeship before moving into merchandising.

If you already have some retail experience, you could apply to do a buying and merchandising assistant higher or degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For 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 in stock control or as a merchandise admin assistant and work your way up by learning on the job.

Other routes

If you're interested in fashion retail, you could do a short course like an introduction to merchandising.

You can also take procurement and supply qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply. These are recognised by the industry.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a retail merchandiser from the Fashion Retail Academy.

View all vacancies in this region

You could be promoted to senior merchandiser and responsible for sales and budgetary control of a multimillion-pound department and managing a team of people. It's typical to have reached senior merchandiser level within 7 to 8 years.

You could also become a merchandise manager, head of merchandising, merchandising director, retail business analyst or self-employed retail consultant.