Best Online Bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising Programs

Many people dream of making a name for themselves in the fashion industry, and it’s easy to see why. Fashion allows people to express themselves, explore their identity, and be creative. A bachelor’s degree in fashion can lead to a variety of careers, including fashion designer, art director, and fashion editor.

Another potential pathway for fashion lovers is fashion merchandising. This career involves making key decisions at fashion companies about which clothes to display and sell. Students interested in a career in fashion should consider a degree in fashion merchandising. They can learn about textiles, marketing, and sustainability.

If a bachelor’s in fashion merchandising program appeals to you, read on to learn more.

An online bachelor’s in fashion merchandising program may give students greater flexibility compared to an on-campus program. Distance learners can often study at their own pace and may save time by learning at home instead of traveling to campus. However, many fashion merchandising majors still need to participate in in-person internships.

An online bachelor’s in fashion merchandising typically requires 120 credits and takes four years of full-time study to complete.

Earning a bachelor’s in fashion merchandising can teach students the ins and outs of the fashion industry. Degree-seekers can learn how fashion brands and companies make decisions on which clothing pieces to feature in their collections. The degree also covers consumer behavior, planning for future fashion trends, and assessing merchandise quality.

Additionally, students can expect to exercise their math skills in fashion-related finance classes. Fashion merchandisers analyze past sales to determine what to purchase for future collections. They also use math to determine price points and promotions so they can reach the best profit margin for their company.

The curriculum often requires students to complete a capstone or final project. Students can use what they learned during their degree program to develop strategic merchandising plans.

Students taking this class learn about fibers, fabrics, yarns, weaves, dyes, and finishes. They study the differences between natural and human-made textiles in addition to scientific properties like tensile strength, moisture absorption, and elasticity.

This course looks at how fashion has changed over time in different parts of the world and the social, cultural, and political significance of major trends. Students also may study how technology has changed fashion production.

In recent years, the fashion industry has taken steps to become more sustainable. This course examines sustainability as it relates to labor and the environment within the industry. Students can also learn how fashion merchandisers make informed decisions about buying from green and ethical vendors.

Merchandise planning requires a specific set of mathematical skills. In this course, students learn the calculations needed to create merchandise budgets by building spreadsheets to create plans for inventories, sales, and promotions. They also learn how to interpret financial statements by analyzing profit and loss margins. That information can be used to plan for merchandising decisions in the future.

This capstone course gives students an opportunity to apply their cumulative knowledge of the fashion management industry. This includes planning, sourcing, distribution, marketing, and sustainability. Students may work on strategic management projects that incorporate all of these components for simulated or real fashion retailers.

A bachelor’s in fashion merchandising can lead to a variety of jobs, including merchandise planners and buyers. Other potential career options include merchandise displayer, merchandising manager, and retail manager.

The BLS projects that the number of jobs for buyers and purchasing managers and agents will decline by 7% from 2019 to 2029 due to increased automation and outsourcing. However, the number of jobs for merchandise displayers and window trimmers is projected to grow by about 2% from 2018 to 2028, according to Projections Central.

Find out more about fashion careers in general, and read about five common fashion merchandising careers below:

These professionals work for companies, using marketing strategies to determine what merchandise to buy. They analyze past sales and future trends to make those decisions and establish price points and promotions. Merchandise planners need a solid understanding of finance to keep track of inventory and develop financial plans to increase profitability.

When you walk into a clothing store, the pieces on display are not there by accident. Buyers working for fashion retailers strategically choose which clothes to buy from manufacturers. These professionals must understand developing trends. They also need to keep an eye on what pieces appeal to customers.

Merchandise displayers highlight a brand’s best pieces. They style them so customers can imagine wearing those outfits themselves. These professionals design the floor setups of stores, create window displays, and create backdrops and themes to tie everything together.

These professionals supervise the merchandising process at fashion brands and companies. They often oversee a team, implement strategies, and manage partnerships with vendors. Merchandising managers work at a supervisory level and keep an eye on the big picture.

Retail managers run operations at clothing stores. They keep track of stock, manage staff, plan promotional events, and handle budgets and financial records. Retail managers implement procedures to make stores as profitable as possible.

A bachelor’s in fashion merchandising can lead to lucrative jobs like merchandise planner or buyer. Professionals who gain experience can also become purchasing managers. Each of these positions pays median wages that are significantly higher than the median wages of all U.S. workers.

A bachelor’s in fashion merchandising can lead to a variety of jobs. You may choose to pursue a career as a buyer or merchandise planner at a fashion brand. You also may strive to be a merchandising manager who supervises operations. Working as a merchandise displayer or retail manager at a store are also other options.

The BLS projects a 7% decline in demand for buyers, purchasing managers, and agents between 2019 and 2029. However, the industry continues to evolve. Instagram, for example, has helped to change how many fashion merchandisers and marketers work. As such, there may be increased demand for digital-focused merchandising.

According to the BLS, buyers and purchasing agents earned a median annual salary of $66,690 in May 2020. Additionally, PayScale data showed that merchandise planners made an average annual salary of about $75,000, as of July 2021.

According to the BLS, the top 10% of buyers and purchasing agents made more than $112,170 per year, as of May 2020. For purchasing managers, the highest 10% earned more than $197,630.