A day in the life of an Assistant Merchandiser at Harrods

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work behind the scenes at one of the world’s most iconic department stores, assistant merchandising jobs at Harrods offer a unique perspective. 

These roles aren’t just about numbers and spreadsheets, they’re about shaping the products our customers see, combining creativity with analytical thinking, and being part of a team that brings the Harrods experience to life.

This week, we sat down with Huma, one of our Assistant Merchandisers, to get an inside look at what life in the merchandising team is really like, and why a career in merchandising at Harrods can be both exciting and rewarding.

Meet Huma: Bringing products to life in an Assistant Merchandising job

“I’m Huma, and I work as an Assistant Merchandiser in the Harrods Own Label department. I’ve been here for just over two and a half years, starting as a Merchandising Admin Assistant for Restaurants and Own Label Food & Beverage. 

After 18 months, I was promoted to Assistant Merchandiser, and now I focus on Own Label Apparel, Toys, and seasonal products.”

We want you to grow with us and build the career you want. Once you have joined us and are ready for a new challenge, we will provide you with all the information you need to navigate finding that next perfect role at Harrods. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in Merchandising?

“I’ve always loved products, but I wanted a role that also involved numbers and data. Merchandising is the perfect balance; it’s creative and analytical at the same time. 

I get to forecast trends, analyse real-time sales data, and make decisions that directly impact what customers see in-store.”

A day in the life of an Assistant Merchandiser

“My day usually starts with updating and sharing our daily sales report to track performance against forecasts. Mondays are all about preparing for our weekly trade meeting, making sure trade reports are accurate for the Buying team to plan ahead.

Thursdays are filled with cross-functional meetings with Merchandising, Buying, and Demand Planning teams, using the reports to spot opportunities and improve sales.

We also do bi-weekly floor walks with Retail, Stock Operations, and Visual Merchandising teams to see how products are displayed and performing.

Towards the end of each season, I compile a 'lessons learnt' report to analyse what worked, what needs revamping, and where we can introduce new products. Overall, my day blends sales forecasting, stock planning, trade reporting, and data analysis; no two days are the same!”

Skills that make Assistant Merchandising jobs at Harrods thrive

“Being analytical and comfortable with numbers is key, especially since Excel is a big part of the role. Attention to detail is essential for forecasts, budgets, and reports. 

Creativity is also important; understanding trends and predicting what will appeal to customers is crucial. Finally, strong communication skills are needed to collaborate across teams internally and externally.”

The best parts of working in Merchandising

“I love using both my creative and analytical sides. Making data-driven decisions while staying in tune with trends is really satisfying. 

Working on Harrods' Own Label collections, from concept to shop floor, is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that my decisions shape what customers see and buy is a really special feeling!”

Advice for anyone interested in Assistant Merchandising Jobs

“Start by applying for the Merchandising Admin Assistant role, it’s entry-level but provides invaluable experience. I was in that role for 18 months before being promoted. You’ll learn Excel inside out, including XLOOKUPs, SUMIFS, and IF/AND formulas, and gain hands-on experience with SAP for stock reports and purchase orders.

Show examples of data analysis, attention to detail, and trend awareness, and demonstrate your passion for products and the market. That combination will put you in a strong position for assistant merchandising jobs.” 

At Harrods, our mission is ‘Anything is Possible'. This isn’t just words, it’s a mindset. To embody this, we strive to foster a culture of continuous, inclusive and impactful learning and development. For all our Colleagues.

Proud moments and career milestones

“One highlight was earning a distinction in my Level 4 Buying and Merchandising qualification through the Fashion Retail Academy. 

Another was re-launching the Harrods Own Label gift shop and product ranges, seeing the products I helped develop on the shop floor and hearing positive customer feedback was incredibly fulfilling.” 

Step into a career in Assistant Merchandising at Harrods

Assistant merchandising jobs at Harrods are about more than forecasts and spreadsheets, they’re about creativity, analysis, and shaping the products that define our world-famous store. 

If you’re passionate about trends, love working with data, and want a career where every day is different, a role in merchandising could be your next step.

Explore our Merchandising jobs today and take the first step towards a career where your creativity, skill, and passion make a real impact.