Visual Merchandiser

Day-to-day tasks might include: designing ideas for displays, or following a company design plan; creating special displays to promote a specifi; product or promotion; drawing designs and plans by hand or computer; deciding how to use space and lighting creatively; creating branded visual merchandising packs to send to each branch of a store; giving feedback to head office and buying teams;

They are also involved in: setting up displays, dressing dummies, and arranging screens, fabric and posters; hiring, borrowing or making props; making sure that prices and other necessary details are visible; coaching sales staff on how goods should be displayed; taking down old displays.

In a large retail company, visual merchandisers work as part of a display team and follow design plans created at head office by a visual merchandising manager or senior display designer.

Starting salaries can be from £12,000 to £16,000 a year. With experience, earnings can rise to around £20,000 a year.

Visual merchandising managers or designers can earn between £25,000 and £45,000 a year.

There are two main routes to becoming a visual merchandiser/display designer.

You could come from a background in design, or you could work your way up through the retail industry. If you choose to train in design, you may have an advantage if you take a specialised qualification in display or merchandising, such as a degree in Exhibition and Retail Design or a Foundation Degree in Display Design or Visual Merchandising and Promotional Design.

Other useful courses include BTEC HNDs, foundation degrees and degrees in interior design, fashion marketing, retail management or visual communications.

Alternatively, you could take qualifications from the British Display Society (BDS) before you look for display work.

Courses include: Certificates in Visual Merchandising and Merchandising Handling Skills (part-time short courses); General Certificate in Display (one year full-time); and Advanced Diplomas in Point of Sale Design or Retail Display Design (two years full-time).

You may not need qualifications in display design if you have a strong retail background, or experience in related areas like interior design or photography.

You may be able to get into the retail industry through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.