Retail Merchandiser CV Examples & Writing Guide (UK)

Provide your contact details

Start your retail merchandiser CV with a simple contact details section at the top of the page. This ensures hiring managers can quickly reach you and gives your CV a professional first impression. Include:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Location (town or city)
• LinkedIn profile, or personal website (optional)

Avoid adding a photo or full home address, as these aren’t required for UK retail roles. Keep this section uncluttered, using standard fonts and formatting to ensure your CV remains ATS-friendly.

Showcase your retail merchandising work experience

Your work experience section is the most important part of a retail merchandiser CV. This is where you show how you’ve supported sales, managed stock levels, and ensured products are displayed correctly across stores or locations.

List your roles in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent position. For each role, include:

• Job title
• Employer or retailer name
• Location
• Dates of employment
• 4–6 bullet points highlighting achievements

Focus on results rather than responsibilities. Employers want to see how your work affected sales performance, stock accuracy, and store presentation. Strong points to highlight include:

• Sales increases linked to product placement or promotions
• Stock availability, replenishment accuracy, or shrinkage reduction
• Implementation of planograms and promotional layouts
• Multi-store visits and territory coverage
• Collaboration with store managers and head office teams

Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your impact, such as percentage sales growth, number of stores supported, or improvements in stock accuracy. This makes your retail merchandiser CV experience more credible and easier for recruiters to assess.

Include your education

The education section of your retail merchandising CV supports your practical experience by showing you have the knowledge and training needed for a retail merchandiser role.

Place this section after your work experience unless you’re early in your career or recently completed a relevant qualification. List each qualification clearly, including:

• Qualification name
• Awarding institution
• Location
• Completion date (MM.YYYY format)

For most retail merchandiser roles, formal education doesn’t need to be extensive. GCSEs, A levels, or vocational qualifications are usually sufficient, especially when paired with strong on-the-job experience.

If you’ve completed retail, business, or marketing-related courses, be sure to include them here or in a separate certifications section.

Highlight the right retail merchandiser skills

Your skills section helps recruiters quickly see whether you have the abilities needed to succeed as a retail merchandiser. It should reflect a mix of commercial awareness, operational skills, and communication strengths, while also matching keywords from the job description to support ATS screening.

Aim to include 8–12 hard and soft skills on your retail merchandising CV. Focus on those you can back up with examples in your work experience section.

Here are some sample hard skills for a retail merchandiser CV:

• Stock control and replenishment
• Sales analysis
• Sales reporting
• Planogram implementation
• Visual merchandising standards
• Inventory management and audits
• Product launches
• Product promotions
• Excel or retail reporting systems

Sample soft skills for a retail merchandiser CV include:

• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Organisation skills
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Team collaboration

Add value with bonus sections

Bonus sections aren’t essential, but they can make your retail merchandiser CV more competitive and make you stand out in a crowded job market. Use these sections to showcase extra experience, achievements, or knowledge that supports your ability to drive sales and maintain strong in-store standards.

Useful bonus sections for a retail merchandiser CV include:

• Key Achievements: Highlight standout results such as boosting sales during promotions, improving stock availability, or reducing markdowns.
• Territory or Store Coverage: Mention the number of stores or regions you support to show the scale of your role.
• Systems and Tools: List software or platforms you use for reporting, stock management, or planning (e.g., Excel, merchandising systems).
• Certifications and Training: Include any retail, merchandising, or health and safety courses that strengthen your profile.
• Awards or Recognition: Add performance awards, incentives, or recognition for sales or merchandising excellence.

Make a compelling personal statement

Your personal statement sits at the top of your retail merchandiser CV and should quickly explain who you are, what you do, and the value you bring. Keep it short—3 to 4 sentences—and tailor it to the role you’re applying for.

A strong personal statement should include:

• Your current role or level of experience in retail merchandising
• Key strengths such as sales analysis, stock control, or product presentation
• One measurable achievement to show impact
• A clear indication of how you can support the employer’s sales goals

For example, you might mention how you’ve improved product sell-through, supported successful promotions, or worked across multiple stores to maintain visual standards. Avoid vague phrases and focus on what makes you effective as a retail merchandiser.