DECA Merchandising Pathway Performance Indicators

([IA: Economics] PE: Understand global trade's impact to aid business decision-making.)

Identify the effects of global trade on retailing

Explain current retail trends driven by global trade

([IA: Marketing] PE: Acquire an understanding of marketing's role and function in business to facilitate work among departments. )

Distinguish between retailing and marketing

Explain the importance of merchandising to retailers

([IA: Information Management] PE: Utilize information-technology tools to manage and perform merchandising responsibilities.)

Analyze the impact of technology on retailing

Utilize merchandising software

Obtain information from retail databases to aid in product planning and control

(PE: Maintain marketing information to facilitate merchandising activities.)

Maintain purchase orders

Maintain order logs

([IA: Operations] PE: Implement security policies/procedures to minimize chance for loss.)

Explain policies/procedures for handling shoplifters

If you notice a shoplifter, alert another employee to act as a witness. Don't use an accusatory tone when confronting the shoplifter. Ask "Can I ring that up for you?" & they will likely put it away or pay for it. Also, notice if there are any blind spots in the store.

Devise/Enact merchandise security measures to minimize inventory shrinkage

(PE: Implement organizational skills to improve efficiency and work flow. )

Follow up orders

(PE: Prepare registers/terminals for sales operations.)

Prepare cash drawers/banks

Open/Close register/terminal

At the commencement of trade each day certain team members will be required to open the cash register or terminal. The cash drawer is usually stored empty in the register and in an open position. This is to deter potential thieves from damaging the expensive equipment.

Typical procedures at the commencement of trade might include:

Collect the key and float for the register/terminal from the supervisor.

Count the float into the cash drawer, separating denominations.

Close the cash drawer.

Insert the key and turn the register/terminal on.

Log on using a staff identification number.

Remove the cash and other documents from the cash drawer.

Print out a "Z" read.

Separate the cash from the cash float.

Count and record totals for cash and non-cash documents on a cash drawer reconciliation slip.

Secure cash and other documents and keys.

Return empty cash drawer to register/terminal, leaving it open.

(PE: Acquire foundational knowledge of distribution to understand its role and function.)

Explain the nature and scope of distribution

Explain the relationship between customer service and distribution

Describe the use of technology in distribution

Explain legal considerations in distribution

Describe ethical considerations in distribution

Explain distribution issues and trends

Discuss the use of electronic data interchange

http://www.uprr.com/suppliers/account/stedmf/01.shtml (EDI)

(PE: Utilize order-fulfillment processes to move product through the supply chain. )

Use an information system for order fulfillment

Fulfill orders

Order fulfillment is the complete process from point of sales inquiry to delivery of a product to the customer. Sometimes Order Fulfillment is used to simply describe the act of distribution (logistics) or the shipping function, but in the broader sense it refers to the way firms respond to customer orders, and the process they take to move products from those orders, to the customer.

In simpler terms, Order Fulfillment is everything that a seller does from the moment an order for a product is received, to the customer having their purchase in their hands. Order Fulfillment also includes the processes involved in receiving products to sell, storing those products, and providing inventory control of those products.

The fulfillment process is what happens in a company when an order for a product is received -the "fulfillment" of the order. The process includes logical warehousing of products, receiving the order, "picking" (finding) the items ordered in the warehouse, "packing" (packaging) those items, "shipping" it to the right address, and notifying the customer that their order is on the way.

(PE: Implement receiving processes to ensure accuracy and quality of incoming shipments.)

Explain the receiving process

Explain stock-handling techniques used in receiving deliveries

Process incoming merchandise

Orders are placed and the store manager/owner will be informed of shipping date and can prepare for receipt of merchandise. Stockrooms and storage areas should be organized in order to create room for the incoming merchandise (create bulk displays/add additional shelving).

Once merchandise arrives, the containers should be examined for damage, and then the shipment needs to be accepted. The purchase order should be compared against the vendors invoice to make sure that nothing is different.

Finally, the merchandise should be priced and displayed.

Resolve problems with incoming shipments

(PE: Utilize stock-handling procedures to process incoming inventory. )

Attach source and anti-theft tags

Price mark merchandise

Make and record price changes

Identify hang-tag needs

Assign codes to each product item

Route stock to sales floor

Rotate stock

Process returned/damaged product

Transfer stock to/from branches

Enter product descriptions into a PoS system

(PE: Utilize warehousing procedures to store inventory until needed.)

Explain storing considerations

Explain the nature of warehousing

Store inventory

(PE: Understand transportation processes to move products through the supply chain. )

Explain shipping processes

Identify factors considered when selecting best shipping method

(PE: Utilize inventory-control methods to minimize costs and to meet customer demand.)

Maintain inventory levels

Report out-of-stocks

Complete inventory counts

Monitor merchandise classification system

Allocate merchandise to stores/regions

Track stock by location for department/class/vendor level

Describe inventory control systems

Explain types of unit inventory-control systems

Determine inventory shrinkage

Maintain inventory-control systems

Implement category management process

(PE: Manage distribution activities to minimize costs and to determine distribution strategies.)

Ensure timely delivery of advertised merchandise

([IA: Professional Development] PE: Acquire information about merchandising to aid in making career choices.)

Explain the evolution of retailing

Describe the role of merchandisers in retailing

(PE: Understand career opportunities in retailing to make career decisions.)

Identify career opportunities in retailing

Explain career opportunities in merchandising

(IA: Product/Service Management] PE: Apply quality assurances to enhance product/service offerings. )

Determine the impact of product standards' issues associated with global business

(PE: Utilize assortment-mix strategies to create maximum mix of products at minimum cost.)

Obtain samples

Determine quality of merchandise to offer

Plan merchandise assortment (e.g., styling, sizes, quantities, colors)

(PE: Develop merchandise plans (budgets) to guide selection of retail products.)

Explain the nature of merchandise plans (budgets)

Calculate open-to-buy

Create/maintain daily sales plan

Identify emerging trends

Plan stock

Plan reductions (e.g., anticipated markdowns, employee/other discounts, stock shortages)

Plan purchases

Compare and contrast buying from domestic sources with that of foreign sources

Determine final cost of purchases from domestic and international sources

(PE: Perform buying activities to obtain products for resale. )

Write purchase orders

Analyze the use of central buying

Determine stock turnover

Determine what to buy/reorder

Determine quantities to buy/reorder

Determine when to buy/reorder

Establish reorder points

(PE: Analyze vendor performance to choose vendors and goods/services. )

Evaluate vendors' goods and services

Choose vendors

Negotiate terms with suppliers

(PE: Position products/services to acquire desired business image. )

Identify components of a retail image

([IA: Marketing-Information Management] PE: Utilize marketing information to drive merchandising activities. )

Analyze information from suppliers

Scan marketplace to identify factors that could influence merchandising decisions

Analyze competitors' offerings

([IA: Promotion] PE: Advertise to communicate promotional messages to targeted. )

Proof ads

(PE: Utilize special events to increase sales. )

Plan special events

Prepare store/department for special event

(PE: Employ visual merchandising techniques to increase interest in product offerings.)

Explain the use of visual merchandising in retailing

Distinguish between visual merchandising and display

Place merchandise for impact

Determine on-floor assortments

Use cross-merchandising techniques

Read/Implement planograms

(PE: Implement display techniques to attract customers and increase sales potential.)

Explain types of display arrangements

Maintain displays

Dismantle/Store displays/display fixtures/forms

Create promotional signs

Select and use display fixtures/forms

Use lighting to highlight products