Merchandise Analyst – Roles & Responsibilities
A Merchandise Analyst is responsible for analyzing sales, inventory, pricing, and market trends to optimize product performance and maximize profitability.
Key Responsibilities
1. Sales & Performance Analysis
- Analyze sales data to identify trends, opportunities, and underperforming products.
- Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly sales reports.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sell-through rates, margin, and inventory turnover.
- Provide recommendations to improve product performance and profitability.
2. Inventory Management
- Track inventory levels and ensure optimal stock availability.
- Identify slow-moving, excess, and aging inventory.
- Support replenishment planning and stock allocation decisions.
- Monitor stock shortages and recommend corrective actions.
3. Forecasting & Demand Planning
- Analyze historical sales data to forecast future demand.
- Assist in planning inventory requirements based on seasonality and business trends.
- Support budgeting and sales forecasting activities.
4. Pricing & Margin Analysis
- Evaluate product pricing strategies and promotional effectiveness.
- Monitor gross margins and profitability across product categories.
- Recommend markdowns and promotional activities to optimize sales and inventory levels.
5. Merchandising Support
- Collaborate with buyers and category managers on assortment planning.
- Analyze product mix performance and recommend assortment changes.
- Support product launch and seasonal merchandising initiatives.
6. Reporting & Data Management
- Develop and maintain dashboards and analytical reports.
- Ensure data accuracy across merchandising systems.
- Present insights and recommendations to management.
7. Market & Competitor Analysis
- Monitor competitor pricing, promotions, and product offerings.
- Conduct market research to identify emerging trends and customer preferences.
- Provide actionable insights to support merchandising strategies.
Required Skills
- Strong analytical and numerical skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, Power Query).
- Experience with ERP systems and BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
- Knowledge of retail merchandising, inventory management, and forecasting.
- Strong attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Typical KPIs
- Sales Growth
- Gross Margin %
- Inventory Turnover
- Sell-Through Rate
- Stock Availability
- Forecast Accuracy
- Markdown Optimization
- Category Performance
This role is commonly found in retail, e-commerce, FMCG, fashion, home furnishing, and marketplace businesses, where data-driven merchandising decisions are critical to business success.
Pay: AED3,500.00 - AED4,500.00 per month
Work Location: In person