Merchandising is a vibrant and exciting discipline that combines elements of art, advertising and business. Most merchandising programs are closely related to the fashion industry and often include elements of clothing shopping and textile science. Merchandising students develop strong business acumen, covering areas such as accounting, finance, human resources management and marketing. They learn to interpret and predict industry trends and often get the opportunity to learn on the job in real placements.

Merchandising is an international discipline in which global trends can play a huge role. Studying merchandising abroad, students get the opportunity to learn first-hand how fashion and consumer attitudes are changing in different countries, while simultaneously expanding their personal horizons and getting an adventure for life. Merchandising is offered at various levels of study, including undergraduate and postgraduate studies. It is possible to study diploma or certification programs, but the most common bachelor's degree is a bachelor's degree.

You can study for a bachelor's or bachelor's degree in merchandising for three or four years. The difference between these two programs is small, but a bachelor's degree may include more business and finance modules. If students already have a bachelor's degree in a related field and want to expand their knowledge or improve their employment opportunities, they can get a master's degree in merchandising. Merchandising masters are rare and often focus on a specific area, such as fashion promotion. Student days will mainly consist of lectures and seminars in small groups, and students are also expected to spend a lot of time studying independently. There are some core areas that will be covered by most programs, including:

• Introduction to Merchandising;

• Marketing and Management;

• Brands and branding;

• Understanding consumers;

• Stability;

• Supply Chain Management;

• Business financing;

• Human resource management.

Studying a specialty in the field of merchandising, students work with teachers who are experts in this field. They offer a wide range of academic, historical, creative and practical learning experiences related to merchandising of goods. Students will learn about everything from fibers, weaves and finishes to creating a spreadsheet for a six-month business plan. Good merchandisers usually have some of the following qualities:

• Passion for retail and fashion trends;

• Analytical skills that are used in retail merchandising;

• Ability to principles, planning and analysis;

• The ability to use spreadsheets and other tools to track money;

• Creative skills that can be used in product development, for example, when creating a clothing line;

• Interest in product development, digital merchandising and social media marketing;

• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances;

• Desire to learn about logistics and supply chain management;

• Interest in the work of the store and its management;

• Curiosity about future trends, including sustainable development and fair trade.