Do you know the job of a merchandiser? Anne-Catherine, a merchandiser at SIG, tells us about her experience and her vision of the job.
Hello, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Anne-Catherine but everyone calls me Kathy. I live in Treclun, a small village near Dijon in the Côte d'Or. I have always worked in sales, progressing from saleswoman to shop manager. Then one day, I got fed up with the time constraints, the routine and the pressure from my superiors... In short, I needed freedom, independence and diversity.
How did you hear about SIG?
By knowledge! In a shop, I talked to some of the animators. They advised me to contact the Service Innovation Group agency to work with you. And that's how our collaboration started! Today, I am delighted to have taken this step, which has enabled me to change my professional life.
How long have you been working with us?
I work with your agency to field marketing for 10 years already! How time flies! I have been able to develop and grow in the various GIS activities. The jobs in commercial animation and in merchandising are different but at the same time very complementary. I enjoy being a presenter as much as a merchandiser!
And on what type(s) of mission(s)?
I started with sales promotion. Then SIG offered me assignments in one-off merchandisingand then in permanent merchandising. This ensures that I am active all year round! I like my job because it is versatile! I meet lots of different people (salespeople, department heads, shop employees, customers and also colleagues). It's really a very rewarding job!
How would you present the job of a merchandiser?
The merchandiser is the person who displays the products in a department store. Either by means of displays product showcases or simply clean and attractive shelf displays. He or she is the director of the shelves in order to make the products sell.
Do you have a lot of assignments in sales promotion and merchandising?
Personally, yes, I have a lot of missions, short and long ones that allow me to live comfortably.
What do you like about your job?
The diversity of the missions and the relationship I have with the shops I work with, but also the responsibilities that we can have both in the shelving so that they are attractive and in the locations which are a form of product dramatisation.
What are the GIS developments that you have picked up in recent years?
Service Innovation Group is an agency that listens to its employees: this is very important. The relationship I have with my contacts allows me to work in complete confidence. SIG also allows us to diversify our activities and develop (animation, merchandising, commando, inventories, etc.). It is also possible to move up to promoter positions if there are offers available in your region! SIG has increased the skills of the entire training section via e-learning courses that enable us to better understand our different missions. Today, the real-time reporting is systematic, contrary to my early days when this did not exist! It's a habit now, because being in the field in complete autonomy, it's normal to report on the work done with photos and comments. We know that this is valuable information for SIG and its clients!
What are the impacts on the way you do your job?
I am more serene and much less stressed. I know that if I have a problem I can count on someone because SIG is with me every day!
Any advice for someone who wants to be a merchandiser?
For a merchandiser who is just starting out, I would advise him or her to be well organised and tidy! It is important to listen to experienced merchandisers because their advice is invaluable! I think that, at the very beginning, you have to know that the timetable is often very different, because we are often in the shops before opening time. We have to move around a lot... So you have to be brave. You also need to have good relations with the shops and never forget that our work in the shop must correspond to the service sold by SIG to the customer!
In a few words, how would you describe your collaboration with SIG?
Excellent, I think I have a very good relationship with the people I do assignments for. When I have assignments, they are clearly explained. If I have a problem, I know I can ask the GIS team for help: there is always someone to listen to me.
Thank you Anne-Catherine for accepting and taking the time to share your experience and especially your confidence!
