Merchandise Displayers arrange merchandise, such as clothes, accessories, and furniture, in windows, in showcases, and on the sales floor of retail stores to attract the attention of prospective customers.

JOB DUTIES 

Merchandise Displayers may:

Consult with advertising or sales personnel to find out which merchandise to feature in the display

Develop display ideas or plans or obtain plans from the display designer or display manager

Build props from wood, fabric, glass, paper, and plastic

Arrange furniture, mannequins, props, backdrops, and merchandise in the display

Place prices and descriptive information in the display

Dismantle displays

Pack and store all reusable items and props

Maintain an itemized list of props and their locations

Tools and equipment used may include:

• Hammers, saws, and staple guns

• Nails, wood, paints, and glass

• Paint brushes, cardboard, cloth, and paper

• Mannequins, clothing, footwear, and accessories

• Canvas, plastic, and pulp

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Merchandise Displayers may specialize in these areas:

298.081-010 MERCHANDISE DISPLAYERS arrange clothes, accessories, furniture, and other merchandise in windows, showcases, and on sales floors of retail stores to attract the attention of prospective customers.

298.381-010 DECORATORS prepare and install decorations and displays for trade and industrial shows, expositions, festivals and other special events.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Merchandise Displayers usually work under the supervision of a display or a store manager. In small stores, a Displayer may work alone, while in larger stores, several Displayers may work together. They also work closely with the sales and promotions staff.

Merchandise Displayers generally work inside under comfortable conditions. However, Displayers may sometimes work outdoors to prepare for sidewalk sales or other outdoor exhibits. During the construction phase of a display, work areas may be cramped. Displayers must stand for long periods of time and may have to work in awkward positions. There is some risk of injury from falls or using power tools, but serious injuries are uncommon. Some parts of displays are heavy or awkward to carry.

Merchandise Displayers generally work a 35-40-hour week although they may have to work evenings, weekends, or overtime to set up displays during nonbusiness hours or for special sales or holiday seasons. Varying amounts of travel are necessary for individuals who set up displays at trade shows and other special events. Free-lance visual Merchandise and Display consultants have peak employment at holidays and other special times of the year, such as Christmas and other holidays, which generate increased sales for retailers.

You Should Prefer:

• Expressing your own creative ideas in concrete form

• Working with things and objects

• Seeing the physical results of your work

• Performing activities which involve special processes or methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Demonstrate mechanical ability/artistic talent/creativity/imagination

• Know what attracts the attention and interests of people

• Make decisions from judgment, logical reasoning, and set standards

• See objects in three dimensions

• See differences in shapes, shadings, and measurements of figures

• Work easily and skillfully with your hands

• Interpret feelings or ideas from a personal point of view

• Influence people's opinions, attitudes, or judgments

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are working with a display window that is 6'x 3'. Where would you center a mannequin for display?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

You will need to be able to read and understand work orders.

"Display tennis set in main window, creativity focusing on how easy the net is to set up"

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Create a written list of what supplies and props are used in what windows to accurately keep record of where supplies and props are located at any given time.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Creative thinking is required to be able to effectively display merchandise.

Merchandise Displayers must have knowledge of the relationship between merchandise and fixtures, package design, and the art and science of display. Most employers prefer persons with some art skills; shop courses may also be helpful.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

/careers/0,1607,7-170-22526_23422-64454--,00.html0 ART , 0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1400 FASHION , 2000 LIFE MANAGEMENT , 2200 MATH , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

011 APPLIED DESIGN

Programs in Applied Design provide opportunities to gain the technical knowledge and artistic skills needed for employment applying design principles in fields such as advertising design, metal smiting, fabric design, jewelry making, woodcraft, and industrial design.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

211 FASHION MERCHANDISING

Programs in Fashion Merchandising provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the retail merchandising industry. Individuals may wish to specialize in merchandise display, marketing, retail advertising and consumer behavior, retailing or fashion.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

            Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Some of the ways to explore this field are by helping with the design and construction of parade floats or theater sets and props, visiting stores to talk to Merchandise Displayers, and part-time or summer employment in stores. In addition, applied design or fashion merchandising programs at community colleges may offer co-op or work experience opportunities.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Merchandise Displayer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Merchandise Displayer employer

community service work with an agency

The most common way to become a Merchandise Displayer is applying directly to employers. Jobs may be found by consulting placement offices of colleges offering related courses, contacting local offices of Michigan Works!, and reading newspaper want ads. The best chances of entry are in large department stores. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank    

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Merchandise Displayers depend on the worker's experience and education and the employer's size and geographic location. Display workers in urban areas generally earn more than those in rural areas earn. Workers in small shops usually earn less than workers in large shops earn. Earnings of free-lance Merchandise Displayers depend on their talent, prestige, number of clients, and the amount of time they spend.

Nationally, wages earned by Merchandise Displayers were comparable to those earned in Michigan.

In Michigan, Merchandise Displayers' beginning salaries ranged between $6.50 and $7.20 per hour. Those with experience had salaries ranging from about $11.00 to $16.50 per hour (1999). Supervisors/managers earned from about $8.00 to $20.00 per hour.

Most display workers receive discounts of 10% to 30% on their purchases. Some stores, especially large stores, provide life and health insurance, paid vacations, sick leave, and retirement plans.

Advancement opportunities might lead to positions as free-lance display person, display manager, or promotion director. Advancement depends on talent, education, and experience.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, the number of Merchandise Displayers employed is unknown. Store managers are realizing the positive impact that a well-designed display or store-front can have on sales. Economic conditions determine the demand for Merchandise Displayers as retail sales increase. Openings are usually found in large cities such as New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco.

There are approximately 2,075 display workers employed in Michigan. They all worked in the retail trade industry in furniture and department or apparel stores, as well as other outlet stores.

Employment of Display Workers in Michigan is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 60 annual openings is expected with 30 due to growth and 30 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations. Employment growth for Display Workers is a result of construction of additional stores and increased emphasis on window and interior displays. However, greater coordination of store management activities and increased specialization of job duties may limit the number of Display Workers needed.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.