Free Online Merchandising Courses

1. Introduction to Merchandising

A great place to start if you’re starting out! Get insights into pricing, selling strategies, visual merchandising and even consumer behaviour.

2. The Basics of Merchandising

Another good option for those new to the field, this course teaches you how to use merchandising to influence your target customers and reach your sales targets.

3. Visual Merchandising Essentials

Visual merchandising is a crucial part of overall merchandising techniques that is specifically connected to how goods are displayed and arranged in stores, which has a major impact on whether they sell.

Merchandising is any action or practice contributing to selling items (merchandise) in a shop. These can include:

• Advertising
• Branding
• Promotion
• Display design
• Discounting
• Inventory management
• Location

Although many believe merchandising is only about window dressing or making sure the goods are arranged attractively and appealingly, the role is much broader than that and visual merchandising is only one part of it.

Online merchandising differs in that there is no physical store to dress and layout, but online retailers still need to consider stock, advertising, promotions, discounts, etc. Factors such as selecting a model and props for product photos can be regarded as merchandising.

An effective and successful merchandiser can work for international brands or themselves by running their own outlet. Regardless of whether the clientele is global or local, merchandisers are generally responsible for:

• Designing (and setting up) window displays
• Sourcing props for such displays
• In-store displays for different types of stock (fresh produce, clothing, dry goods etc)
• Interactive displays
• Signage (seasonal and static)
• Product placement (do discounted old items or fresh new items go upfront?)
• Stocked shelves and rails
• Themes
• Creative bundles (e.g. a hamper for a newborn baby)