CTI Career Search

Merchandise Displayers: Schools and Careers

Browse all of the tabs below for info about Merchandise Displayers:

  • Overview
  • Top Cities
  • Find Schools
  • Video
  • Career Stories
  • Top Industries

About Merchandise Displayers

Merchandise Displayers picture    Merchandise Displayers image

Merchandise displayers design and construct commercial displays in the windows and interiors of retail stores, trade exhibitions and other types of settings. The objective is to attract and entice customers. Merchandise displayers either create the concept or their employer or display manager provides an idea. In addition, they create backdrops and settings, using a variety of materials.

The majority of displays need to be changed every few weeks due to new promotions or changes in inventory. The occupation also includes participating in planning meetings to determine the types of merchandise to be shown and the locations for the displays.

Merchandise displayers need to be creative, artistic and have knowledge of color and composition in order to produce display that inspire shoppers to buy products. They also need to have mechanical abilities and good manual dexterity.

Merchandise Displayer Responsibilities

  • Create ideas for displays
  • Plan and construct backdrops and settings
  • Arrange merchandise, furniture and mannequins and accessories for displays based on drawings
  • Make changes on mannequin faces and also dress them
  • Maintaining and inspecting props and mannequins
  • Place descriptive signs
  • Place price tags
  • Discuss plans with clients or display managers
  • Take photographs of displays and signs
  • Create lighting and sometimes sound effects

They typically work in comfortable retail stores. Carrying equipment and climbing up ladders and standing for long periods of time are parts of the profession. Knowledge of the principles of promoting, showing and selling products are important aspects of the job. They should also be good at time management.

Many merchandise displayers work for retail stores, however some are self-employed and work for various stores. The majority of merchandise displayers work from 35 to 40 hours per week. They may be required to work additional hours during the busy shopping periods of the year.

Employment Outlook

In 2006, there were about 87,000 merchandise displayers jobs. Employment opportunities for merchandise displayers is expected to grow at the average rate for all other types of jobs from 2006 through 2016. However, changes in the economy will effect the growth rate for the profession. Stores often reduce their staff or stop hiring merchandise displayers when profits decline. The best opportunities for employment will be with large retail stores and stores situated in large metropolitan areas.

Merchandise Display Training

Typically, employers require merchandise displayers to have at least a high school diploma. Employers often prefer hiring those that have completed coursework in interior decorating, design and visual communications, merchandising, fashion merchandising, art, advertising and mechanical drawing. Some employers may require a bachelor's or an associate degree. In addition, those that are self-employed in the profession need a portfolio which features their best designs.

Merchandise displayers receive on-the-job training. They typically begin their career with simple tasks such as dismantling sets and moving props. After they gain some experience, they may be given the opportunity of creating a display or constructing complicated displays.

Resources for Merchandise Displayers

Major Employers of Merchandise Displayers

Retail store chains, large retail stores and trade exhibitions are the primary employers of merchandise displayers.

Schools for Merchandise Displayers are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Merchandise Displayers by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Merchandise Displayers, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.

Employment For:
All Jobs > Merchandise Displayers

Selected Schools for Merchandise Displayers (including any online schools)

These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).

Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.

SchoolLocationsDegreesQuick Info
American InterContinental UniversityGAAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Ashworth CollegeOnlineDiplomaGet Info
Bauder CollegeGAAssociateGet Info
Berkeley CollegeNJ, NYAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Berkeley College OnlineOnlineAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Bradford School PittsburghPAAssociateGet Info
Capella UniversityOnlineBachelorGet Info
Collins CollegeAZBachelorGet Info
Gibbs SchoolsCT, MAAssociateGet Info
Harrison CollegeINAssociateGet Info
ICS CanadaOnlineAssociateGet Info
International Academy of Design & Technology OnlineOnlineBachelorGet Info
International Academy of Design and TechnologyIL, TN, TX, WAAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Kaplan Career InstitutePAAssociateGet Info
Keiser UniversityFLAssociateGet Info
Ohio Institute of Photography and TechnologyOHAssociateGet Info
Penn Foster CollegeOnlineAssociateGet Info
Pittsburgh Technical InstitutePAAssociateGet Info
Stratford Career InstituteOnlineDiplomaGet Info
Strayer UniversityAL, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WVBachelorGet Info
Strayer University OnlineOnlineBachelorGet Info
The Art InstitutesAZ, BC, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MA, MI, MN, NC, NV, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WAAssociate, Bachelor , DiplomaGet Info
University of PhoenixAL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WYBachelorGet Info
University of Phoenix OnlineOnlineBachelorGet Info
Westwood CollegeCA, CO, TXBachelorGet Info
Wood Tobé Coburn SchoolNYAssociateGet Info

Link to This Resource Page (copy & paste)

Additional Details

We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Merchandise Displayers. These pages include maps focused on the particular state, among other details.

Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.

Copyright © 2004-2010, Moving Traffic, Inc. All Rights Reserved.