Merchandiser

You can do a degree before joining a retail company graduate scheme. Employers recruit from a range of degree subjects, including:

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

You could choose a course that includes a year's work placement to get relevant experience alongside your qualification. Or you could gain experience from a part-time job or a summer internship.

Your university careers service can help you to find part-time roles, placements and internships.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements
• equivalent entry requirements

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a company, for example:

• Buying and Merchandising Assistant Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Retail Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Assistant Buyer and Assistant Merchandiser Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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
• guide to apprenticeships

You can start as an assistant buyer and go on to become a junior buyer and work your way up. To go straight into a buying role, you'll usually need a qualification in retail or business.

It's possible to get experience in retail on the shop floor, in visual merchandising, or as an admin assistant in a buyer's office. You can then spend time learning, training and getting qualifications on the job.

Some companies in fashion retail offer training schemes specifically for buyers. These tend to be aimed at graduates. Other types of retailers offer general store management training schemes with the option to specialise in buying or merchandising later on.

You can also take procurement and supply qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a buyer from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, and as a clothing retail buyer from the Fashion Retail Academy.