Fashion Merchandising College of Design, Engineering, & Commerce

Fashion Merchandising in general:

Fashion merchandising is part of the dynamic and exciting fashion industry and plays a central role in retailing. The merchandiser is responsible for understanding the needs and demands of the consumer. Consumers' needs are influenced by lifestyle and changes in the environment. The merchandiser is responsible for selecting and procuring merchandise from all over the world, ensuring that the store has a proper assortment of goods. Technology plays an important role by enabling merchandisers to predict needs, provide the merchandise in a timely manner, and insure an inventory that is well-balanced.1

Description of Major:

Fashion merchandising majors study retailing, merchandising, marketing, and management. They learn about fashion trends and design, fabrics and their use, and garment construction.

Specializations:

Positions in merchandising include buyers, department managers, merchandising managers, fashion coordinators, product developers, and merchandise planners.

Careers/Job titles: 2

Account Executive Design Coordinator Production Assistant Administrative Assistant E-Commerce Merchandise Administrator Production Coordinator Allocation Analyst Executive Team Leader Product Development Assistant Boutique Website Manager Fashion Assistant Product Engineer Assistant Buyer Fashion Planner Quality Control Coordinator Assistant Manager Insurance Agent Receptionist Assistant Merchant Inventory Control Regional Sales Representative Assistant Visual Manager Manager Retail Analyst Bank Teller Marketing & Sales Assistant Sales Associate Buyer Men’s Tailored Analyst Shoe-sales Coordinator Bilingual Customer Service Representative Merchandise Allocator Store Manager Campaign Coordinator Merchandise Controller Title Clerk City Year Volunteer Merchandise Planner Visual Merchandising Assistant Client Relationship Associate Operations Manager Cosmetics Manager Pre-Production Specialist Customer Service Liaison Presentation Director

Who employs PhilaU graduates?

A.A. Nazzaro Associates Haddad Apparel Public Image Abercrombie & Fitch H & M Purma M. Dalton Couture Aerosoles Hart Schatform & Marx QVC, Inc. AIG Insurance Hecht’s Ralph Lauren Childrenswear Alexander McQueen Gucci Group Her Royal Highness Rampage/Charlotte Russe American Public Company Hollister Ramtex, Inc. Anthropologie Intellifit Reynolds Attorney’s Choice Abstract Co. Intermark Media Ross Banana Republic JC Penny Co., Inc. Ruiz-Mesa Insurance BCBG Girls Handbags J McGloughlin Saks Off 5th/Saks 5th Ave. Outlet Belltower Salon & Spa Jones Apparel Group, Inc. Sears Beute Ange Jones New York Sears HomeLife Furniture Bloomingdales Knit Wit Shoshanna Lonstein Bon Ton Kohl’s Department Store So Fun Boscov’s Department Store Kuhlman Stores Something’s Different Breezin’ Up Lace Silhouettes Lingerie Spiegel Brand, Inc. Brooks Brothers Lagos Stones Costumes Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. L.A.M.B. Tafford Manufacturing Burlington Coat Factory LA Weight Loss Talbots Charlotte Russe/Rampage Lilly Pulitzer Target Charming Shoppes, Inc. Liz Claiborne TastyBaking Company Children’s Place Limited Brands The Little Shoes Box Chico’s Linens-N-Things TJ Maxx City Year Philadelphia Macy’s TJX Companies Coconuts/Tropics LLC Macy’s East Toll Brothers Commerce Bank Corp Inc. Macy’s Merchandising Group Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Synergies Maidenform Unique Advantage David’s Bridal Marshall Retail Group United Colors of Benetton DEB Shops, Inc. Modecraft Urban Outfitters Ecount Mother’s Work, Inc. Vanguard Feasterville Awning Company Neiman Marcus Victoria’s Secret Federated Merchandising Group Nicole Miller Winston Retail Forman Mills Nine West F. Schumacher & Co. Nordstrom GAP Old Navy Gayley & Lord Onward Retail, LCC Guess, Inc. Phillips-Van Heusen GSI Commerce Polo Jeans Ralph Lauren Gymboree Corp. Polo Ralph Lauren

Helpful websites:

 FashionCareers.com: http://www.fashioncareers.com/

 InfoMat - Fashion Industry Search Engine: http://www.infomat.com/

 StyleCareers.com – Career eGuides: http://www.stylecareer.com/career_eguides.shtml

 Fashion Career Center.com: http://www.fashioncareercenter.com/

------1 Industry and major information taken from the Philadelphia University website at several locations: Undergraduate Degree Programs (http://www.philau.edu/academics/undergrad.html) and the Undergraduate Catalog (www.philau.edu/catalog/Cat200708).

2 Job titles compiled the Senior Survey (http://www.philau.edu/career/success/index.htm).