Many people don't realize all that's involved with creating fashion and selling fashion. For example, the skills required in supervising, running, and selling clothing to customers requires great organization, customer service skills, fashion understanding, human resources skills, and also some accounting skills. When it comes to the world of fashion merchandising, business skills are critical in keeping up with sales numbers, because you have to sell to have a job.
Job Outlook in Fashion Merchandising and Fashion and Retail
The employment outlook for fashion merchandising and fashion and retail is very competitive. The recent economic recession has deeply impacted the apparel and fashion market negatively. When people don't have money, they don't buy clothing. So, job growth in this field has been slowed. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the retail supervisory field is expected to see growth of about 5 percent, which is slower than industries. Most fashion retailers are planning to increase responsibilities of current management staff. The job outlook in fashion design is only one percent between now and 2018.
Strong Salaries Available in Fashion Merchandising and Fashion and Retail
The fashion merchandising and fashion and retail industries are very competitive fields. It's hard to get good jobs. However, with a good position, you can make good salaries with benefits. Keep in mind; the best paying jobs are with large retailers of clothing and fashion in high end shopping districts in large metropolitan areas. According to the website, Salary.com, in 2010, merchandise buyers had median salaries from $57,000 to $$9,000 annually. Visual merchandisers, responsible for setting up and designing large store displays, had average salaries from about $36,000 to $56,000 annually. Retail supervisors had median salaries between $27,000 to $36,000 annually.
Colleges have Fashion Merchandising and Fashion and Retail College Degrees
Colleges have created some exciting new degree programs in fashion merchandising and fashion and retail. These degrees include a 2 year, associate's degree, and a 4 year, bachelor's degree. Find out how to get your new career in fashion merchandising and fashion and retail started today.
If you are interested in earning a degree in Fashion and Retail, click here to request more information.