Merchandiser
A merchandiser has a comprehensive knowledge of the entire apparel merchandising process, including costing, pricing, negotiation, booking, costing, product development, cutting, sewing, finishing, testing (materials and products), commercial knowledge and all technical knowledge related to apparel to begin with. has A garment manufacturing business. A merchandiser must deliver whatever he receives from the buyer as soon as possible; It’s like passing a ball in a soccer game. A merchandiser also tracks production and pushes the production team to meet the customer’s estimated delivery date. The role of merchandiser plays an important role in the growth of a business, if it is lacking, the business may fail.
Clothing trade process
Garment trade process is longer than manufacturing process. The long work chain starts with product development and ends with payment approval by the buyer. Apparel manufacturers employ employees in each work process, but merchandising coordinates the entire process so that everything is done on time. Major responsibilities include sample development, price negotiation, order confirmation, letter of credit opening, procurement, material collection, preparation of QC file, arranging final inspection, arranging shipping, etc. Head of merchandising team reports directly to the top management/owner of the factory I hope this content helps you learn more about the responsibilities of a merchandiser and the merchandising process.
Apparel Merchandising Process Workflow Diagram
Business Development→Profiling, Communication, Introduction
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Product Development (Apparel)
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Design Development→Manual/CAD, CAM
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Negotiation → Buyer / Supplier
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Price Offer→Order Confirmation
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Order Forecast→Opening Master L/C
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Received product package
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Raw Material Booking←Schedule and Action Plan (TNA)→Opening of B.B L/C
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Proforma Invoice Shipping→Production Schedule→Order Received
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Lab Dip/Strike Processing←Pre-Production Sample→Production Sample
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Approval→Inventory/Procurement→Internal→Pre-Production Meeting→Fit Sample
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PP/Pilot Run Approval ← Production → Size Set Sampling
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Midline inspection ← Inline inspection → Pre-finish inspection
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Reporting ← Quality Control → Testing
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Shipping/Container Loading ← Vessel Booking → Sending Waybill
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Documentation ← Final Inspection → Monitoring/Supervision/Timely Shipping
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Shipping Sample ← Shipping → Packing List Shipping
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Marketing → Payment Release
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Recording all documents and information for future orders
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More orders
Clothing trade process
A merchandiser must pay from the time of making the contract to the time of receipt. We cannot imagine an apparel manufacturing business without merchandisers. The process of merchandising clothes takes more time than the process of making clothes.
Business Development → Profiling, Communication, Introduction
This is the beginning of communication with buying a house, introducing a factory profile and a business proposal. When manufacturers meet customer expectations, buyers consider placing an order. Buyer can check social compliance and technical aspects before placing an order.
Product Development (Apparel)
Product development is key to getting an order from a new customer. Sampling, design and procurement are all included in product development. Sample products need to be developed by the buyer to proceed.
Design Development → Manual / CAD, CAM
The basic design can come from the customer; The manufacturer cannot change the form of the product. Size grouping, pattern making, pattern correction is the work of CAD department.
Negotiation → Buyer / Supplier
All necessary negotiations with buyers and suppliers, any special requirements.
Price Offer → Order Confirmation
Here’s the big point: How do you determine your CM and FOB costs for the buyer? It is very difficult to manage in this competitive world. When the two parties agree on a price, the buyer places an order.
Order Forecast → Open Master L/C
Order forecast is the number of future orders. Masters are open to customers from their banks to receive goods from garment manufacturers.
Received product package
Get all the information about the product. Obtaining dimensional specifications, packing instructions, tolerances etc. Product package means all details of customer requirements. After receiving the product package from the buyer, the merchandiser delivers it to the factory.
Booking of Raw Material ← Time and Action Plan (TNA) → Opening of B.B L/C
Booking of raw materials is done as per order form.
Sending Proforma Invoice ← Production Schedule → Order Accepted
Sending PI, receiving an order form from a customer. Then plan the production according to the order form.
Processing Lab Dip/Strike ← Pre-Production Sampling → Production Sampling
Production sample is very important for export products, otherwise garment manufacturers will not get cutting approval from quality control department of buying shop.
Approval ← Inventory/Procurement → In-House → Pre-Production Meeting → Fit Sampling
All raw materials must be cut to size in-house. The quality of the raw material must be checked by the customer after receipt. If there are quality issues with raw materials, dealers must resolve them in the shortest possible time. Fabrics have so many quality parameters that garment manufacturers need to check them before cutting.
Release ← Production → Size Set Sampling
To ensure proper fit of the product after washing, size set sampling is required.
Interline test ← Inline test → Pre-finish test
In-line inspection during sewing and finishing to ensure garments meet customer quality requirements. Rigorous pre-final inspection is essential for quality control to the buyer for final inspection.
Reporting ← Quality Control → Testing
GPT Garment Performance Test, Garment Test Report, Washing Test, RSL Test and all other tests must be passed.
Documentation ← Final Inspection → Monitoring/Supervision/Timely Shipping
A final inspection is the last quality check before shipping. Passing the final test means the products can be shipped to customers.
Shipping/Container Loading ← Ship Booking → Send Waybill
Bill of Lading is a document issued by the freight forwarder to confirm receipt of cargo for sea transport. Booking ships according to shipping date.
Send Shipping Sample ← Shipping → Packing List
A packing list is created in Excel, ERP or other software. A packing list requires a final quality check and an export document. Hence the packing list is required. The packing list shows that a lot of packing has been done.
Commercialization → Payment Release
According to customer policy, apparel suppliers will receive payment after 40 or 50 days from the shipping date.
Recording all documents and information for future orders
This is the main job of a clothing retailer. All merchandising documents are helpful when manufacturers receive similar orders from the same customer.
Further order development
Similarly search for new orders and customers.
