Creating and Selling Products

Question 1

What is the job of a merchandiser?

Answer 1

The Merchandiser works with the buyer.

They oversee stock control and the distribution of goods between different branches of the retailer.

They also oversee the layout of the shop floor.

Question 2

What is the job of a visual merchandiser?

Answer 2

They are responsible for the way products are displayed within a store.

This includes window displays and displays within the store.

Question 3

Why do producers need to keep designing new products?

Answer 3

1. To survive in the marketplace.
2. To replace declining products.
3. To develop and improve existing products.
4. To promote a strong brand image.
5. To appear up-to-date.

Question 4

What are the stages of a standard product life cycle?

Answer 4

1. Launch: Establishing a brand, trademarking it, and promoting it.
2. Growth: Sales rise and promotion continues.
3. Maturity: Sales plateau, price is maintained.
4. Decline: Price is lowered, production is discontinued, product is removed from the shelves.

Question 5

Give some examples of factors which can affect designs.

Answer 5

1. Celebrity influence and peer pressure.
2. Trend forecasts.
3. Environmental, ethical, and social concerns.
4. The function of the product.
5. The needs of the target market.

Question 6

What are the benefits of a virtual prototype?

Answer 6

1. They are quick to develop and alter.
2. Patterns and old designs can be stored on the computer.
3. They don’t use fabric, making Turk cheaper and eco-friendly.
4. They can mimic how the design reasons to different fabrics and on a model.

Question 7

Why are physical prototypes created?

Answer 7

1. They test out the design and five ideas for further development.
2. Shows what the final product will look like.
3. Helps plan manufacture and reveals any steps which may potentially cause problems.
4. Creates a sealed sample for a buyer to approve.

Question 8

What is the job of a buyer?

Answer 8

The buyer anticipates the demands of the market - what will they will buy, and how much of it.

They order the products for a retailer from the manufacturer. They may specialise in one area such as evening wear.

They attend fashion shows and showrooms to see collections.