Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 10:34 AM AWST
23/07/2026 10:34 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Lead the development of a visual merchandising strategy
Lead the development of a visual merchandising strategy
Unit of competency
National Code
SIRXSRM807
SIRXSRM807
State Code
WD995
WD995
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
20/06/2014
Field of Education
080301 - Business Management
Original Release Date
20/06/2014
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop a visual merchandising strategy, from concept development to the specification of detailed implementation requirements.This covers the creative, management and retailing skills and knowledge required to consult, develop and implement an effective visual merchandising strategy that will deliver increased sales performance.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Analyse visual merchandising trends.
- 1.1.Consult with buyers to identify emerging seasonal trends and new product ranges.
- 1.2.Research visual merchandising trends in local and overseas markets.
- 1.3.Critique the visual merchandising strategies of competitors, identifying their creativity, strengths and weaknesses.
- 1.4.Consult with colleagues and conduct research to identify macro community trends that may influence customer perceptions and preferences.
2. Develop the visual merchandising concept and strategy.
- 2.1.Audit current visual merchandising performance in all stores to identify capacities of stores to implement new concepts and strategies.
- 2.2.Work with internal or external designers to interpret the emerging visual merchandising trends and new season product ranges to create an overarching concept for the strategy.
- 2.3.Share and test concepts with relevant stakeholders to gain input to finalise concept.
- 2.4.Identify, cost and budget the resources required to support the implementation of the visual merchandising strategy.
- 2.5.Develop and document a detailed visual merchandising strategy to deliver the agreed concept.
- 2.6.Gain authorisation as required for the visual merchandising strategy in line with standard organisational policies and procedures.
3. Develop and manage implementation of visual merchandising strategy.
- 3.1.Document and communicate the visual merchandising strategy and its detailed implementation requirements to store managers and appropriate staff.
- 3.2.Ensure strategies are tailored to respond to customer demographics and preferences of individual stores, while maintaining overall consistency of the concept and strategy.
- 3.3.Ensure work health and safety (WHS) and public safety issues have been addressed in the design, implementation and operation of the strategy.
- 3.4.Specify, cost and commission the development of props and store fittings and fixtures.
- 3.5.Liaise with marketing experts to ensure congruence between marketing, promotional and visual merchandising strategies.
- 3.6.Establish and undertake a schedule of visits to stores to oversee and support implementation of strategy.
- 3.7.Establish and maintain effective communication and feedback mechanisms to manage the roll-out of strategy and inform adjustments to it based on changing circumstances.
- 3.8.Provide effective and actionable advice to store staff to ensure high quality and consistent merchandising of stock.
4. Evaluate outcomes of visual merchandising strategy.
- 4.1.Establish and analyse the regular collection of data to enable monitoring of store and regional performance during operation of the visual merchandising strategy.
- 4.2.Use performance data to identify departments, stores or regions that have under-performed during the roll-out of strategy.
- 4.3.Canvass options and solutions to address under-performance by departments, stores or regions during the roll-out of strategy.
- 4.4.Report to management regarding the outcomes achieved by strategy.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the individual, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Seasonal trendsmay include:
colours
fabrics
sizes
styles
themes and concepts.
Community trendsmay include:
fair trade factors
economic factors influencing move towards luxury or austerity goods
green or sustainability factors
new media, such as social networking media
product country of origin and ‘buy local’ factors
social phenomena that influence fashion, such as films, music and sport.
Relevant stakeholdersmay include:
buyers
store managers
visual merchandising team.
Visual merchandising strategymay include specification of:
colours and styles
lighting and staging
positioning of products, stands and fittings
products to be promoted
start and completion dates for the strategy
ticketing.
Performance may be measured by:
customer satisfaction ratings
financial analysis using techniques, including:
balance sheet analysis
break even analysis
cash flow analysis
cost-benefit analysis
daily sales and trend analysis
gross profit
profit and loss analysis
return of assets analysis
return on investment (ROI) analysis
sales per employee
sales per square metre of floor space
sales to inventory ratio
stock turnover rate
mystery shopping reports
number of business referrals
performance in industry benchmarking studies
staff feedback received
volume of repeat business.
Seasonal trendsmay include:
colours
fabrics
sizes
styles
themes and concepts.
Community trendsmay include:
fair trade factors
economic factors influencing move towards luxury or austerity goods
green or sustainability factors
new media, such as social networking media
product country of origin and ‘buy local’ factors
social phenomena that influence fashion, such as films, music and sport.
Relevant stakeholdersmay include:
buyers
store managers
visual merchandising team.
Visual merchandising strategymay include specification of:
colours and styles
lighting and staging
positioning of products, stands and fittings
products to be promoted
start and completion dates for the strategy
ticketing.
Performance may be measured by:
customer satisfaction ratings
financial analysis using techniques, including:
balance sheet analysis
break even analysis
cash flow analysis
cost-benefit analysis
daily sales and trend analysis
gross profit
profit and loss analysis
return of assets analysis
return on investment (ROI) analysis
sales per employee
sales per square metre of floor space
sales to inventory ratio
stock turnover rate
mystery shopping reports
number of business referrals
performance in industry benchmarking studies
staff feedback received
volume of repeat business.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
develops broad understanding through research and analysis of the trends and directions in visual merchandising and community expectations
undertakes consultation and planning to develop and document effective visual merchandising concept and strategy
shows management skills in using resources effectively and plans for the implementation of the visual merchandising strategy
analyses outcomes of the visual merchandising plan.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a retail work environment
a current range of text and online information sources on:
community trends impacting on particular brands and ranges
seasonal trends
local and overseas visual merchandising directions
store staff
a visual merchandising budget
sales performance data.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of performance in the workplace
a role play
answers to questions about specific skills and knowledge
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
develops broad understanding through research and analysis of the trends and directions in visual merchandising and community expectations
undertakes consultation and planning to develop and document effective visual merchandising concept and strategy
shows management skills in using resources effectively and plans for the implementation of the visual merchandising strategy
analyses outcomes of the visual merchandising plan.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a retail work environment
a current range of text and online information sources on:
community trends impacting on particular brands and ranges
seasonal trends
local and overseas visual merchandising directions
store staff
a visual merchandising budget
sales performance data.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of performance in the workplace
a role play
answers to questions about specific skills and knowledge
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J153 | SIR80112 | Graduate Certificate In Retail Leadership | Qualification |