Merchandising

Merchandising is the selection, presentation and promotion of products to support sales. It includes decisions about ranges, displays and product placement, whether goods are sold in a physical shop or through an online catalogue.

Merchandising connects what the retailer buys with how customers encounter and choose it. Activities include planning categories, setting prices, coordinating promotions and keeping useful stock available. The aim is commercial: a product can be attractively presented but still perform poorly if its price, range position or availability does not suit demand.

For example, grouping batteries beside portable electronics can make a complementary purchase easier. Assortment planning determines which battery sizes to stock, while visual merchandising determines how to show them. The broader merchandising role also reviews sales and margin to decide whether the arrangement should be retained or changed.