Am I the only one who gets asked, “What do you do exactly?” when I mention that I’m a merchandiser in the apparel industry? It happens more often than I’d like to admit. In a country like India, where the apparel export with multi billion dollar market and the domestic market is growing rapidly, you’d think more people would understand the importance of the entire apparel ecosystem. Yet, the role of a merchandiser (and many others behind the scenes) still seems to fly under the radar.
In a society where careers in engineering, medicine, and finance dominate, roles like merchandising, sourcing, QA, and textile expertise often get overlooked, despite their critical contributions to our economy. The apparel sector in India employs over 45 million people, and it's one of the largest industries globally. But despite its scale and impact, many of us in the industry still have to explain what we do—and often, it’s met with a confused look.
So let’s break it down for anyone who’s still curious. Here’s what the team actually does:
*Merchandisers* ensure the right products are in the right places, at the right time, and at the right price from product development to the stores
*QA and Tech Specialists* test and ensure the right fits and quality and finished goods.
*Sourcing Specialists* work with suppliers to source materials ethically and at the best price.
*Textile Teams* develop materials and ensure the quality and sustainability of textiles.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the professionals driving this multi-billion-dollar industry!
Each of these roles plays a crucial part in creating the final product that ends up in your hands. But often, the people behind the scenes—whether they’re merchandisers, quality control experts, sourcing managers, or textile engineers—don’t get the recognition they deserve.
And yet, when people ask me what I do, they often think, "Oh, you’re a designer?" and I have to explain I am an apparel merchandiser
It’s not just about creativity (though that’s a big part!). It’s about strategy, logistics, and collaboration. It’s about analyzing data, managing supply chains, ensuring quality, and working with suppliers across the world to bring products to life.
