Do You Really Need a Merchandise Manager

9. Brainstorm new ideas and seek approval for new categories or sub-categories. Pushing the buying staff into new directions is important because finding new product categories (or sub-categories) can fuel growth to existing customers, as well as increase the potential universe for list rental.

However, new categories must fit your catalog’s overall merchandise concept, be financially viable and be able to be executed operationally. Your merchandise manager may need to work with your fulfillment group to ensure that new product types can be stored in your warehouse, are able to be shipped and don’t require capital investment to handle.