Do You Really Need a Merchandise Manager

4. Communicate the mailing plans of each catalog. For example, if you have mailings with higher percentages of rental names, merchants may select different items based on what works better for first-time buyers or for those on lists being tested.

5. Before each catalog is created, work with the buyers to determine how much space will be allocated to each product category or sub-category. As last year’s efforts are analyzed, it’ll become clear where changes are needed to maximize overall catalog performance. Your merchandise manager then can help facilitate this planning process as someone who is perhaps less vested in the outcome of the amount of space occupied by a specific product category. After all, buyers don’t usually want to give up space for their categories.