The purpose of the Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan is to provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate promotional competencies and other competencies needed by management personnel. The Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan provides the participant with the opportunity to develop a seasonal sales promotion plan, using apparel and accessory items only, for a retail store and to present the plan in a role-playing situation to the store manager.

Sample Role Play

Careers and Salary Ranges

- Purchasing Manager , $70,000-$80,000

- Fashion Designers , $40,000-$75,000

- Advertising and Promotion Managers , $55,000-$140,000

- Retail Sales Representative , $16,000-$34,000

Colleges and Universities with Fashion Merchandising Promotion Departments

-Eastern Michigan University , http://www.emich.edu/sts/atm/

- Michigan State University , http://adv.msu.edu/programs/retailing.html

- Northwood University , http://www.northwood.edu/mi/academics/degreesanddepartments/fashionmarketingandmanagement/

- Central Michigan University , http://www.cmich.edu/subject_programs.asp?sid=521803&yr=2005&locid=onc&level=ug&sub=Retailing

- Ohio University , http://www.ohiou.edu/humanandconsumer/retailmerchandising.htm

- University of Arizona , http://www.career.arizona.edu/students/?maj_retailmerchandising

- University of Georgia , http://www.career.uga.edu/multimedia/majors_handouts/Fashion%20Merchandising.pdf

Work Place Examples

-Retail Stores or Outlets

-Department Stores

-Catalogue Retailers

Skills Needed to Succeed in the Fashion Merchandising Promotion Industry

-Knowledge of your Products and your Target Market

-Listen to your Customers!!

-Energy, Enthusiasm and a Positive Attitude

-Knowledge of Fashion Trends as well as the Flexibility to Change with Trends and the Public's Attitudes

-Excellent Communication and Presentation Skills

-Creativity and Imagination

Trade Groups and Industry Associations

-National Association for Retail Marketing Services

-American Textile Manufacturers Institute

-International Textile and Apparel Association

-International Council of Shopping Centers