Careers · Explore one path
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.
Other titles employers use
Decorator · Display Associate · Display Decorator · Display Specialist · In-Store Marketing Associate · Merchandiser · Visual Merchandiser (VM) · Visual Merchandising Specialist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Plan commercial displays to entice and appeal to customers.
- Arrange properties, furniture, merchandise, backdrops, or other accessories, as shown in prepared sketches.
- Change or rotate window displays, interior display areas, or signage to reflect changes in inventory or promotion.
- Place prices or descriptive signs on backdrops, fixtures, merchandise, or floor.
- Consult with store managers, buyers, sales associates, housekeeping staff, or engineering staff to determine appropriate placement of displays or products.
- Maintain props, products, or mannequins, inspecting them for imperfections, doing touch-ups, cleaning up after customers, or applying preservative coatings as necessary.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to creative, practical and persuading work.
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- English Language
- Administration and Management
Useful strengths
- Visualization
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Fluency of Ideas
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.7 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.5 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.1 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 39%
- A certificate or some college 28%
- A four-year degree 18%
- A two-year degree 15%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Internet browser software
- Word processing software
- Electronic mail software
- Document management software
- Desktop publishing software
- Operating system software
- Computer aided design CAD software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 18,300
- Job openings each year
- 2,150
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 3.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 18,300 | 2,150 | 3.4% |
| Florida | 15,100 | 1,850 | 17.2% |
| Texas | 14,020 | 1,700 | 13.2% |
| New York | 10,060 | 0 | — |
| Georgia | 8,120 | 980 | 11.1% |
| Michigan | 7,090 | 830 | 1.0% |
| Ohio | 6,870 | 800 | — |
| Illinois | 5,850 | 690 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 5,510 | 660 | 11.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 5,300 | 630 | 5.4% |
| Virginia | 4,870 | 570 | 2.5% |
| Arizona | 4,860 | 590 | 16.0% |
| New Jersey | 4,610 | 550 | 5.7% |
| Indiana | 4,410 | 520 | 1.8% |
| Tennessee | 4,000 | 480 | 12.7% |
| Missouri | 3,890 | 460 | 4.3% |
| South Carolina | 3,250 | 390 | 12.1% |
| Alabama | 3,230 | 380 | 5.9% |
| Colorado | 3,210 | 390 | 12.2% |
| Kentucky | 3,030 | 360 | 4.5% |
| Wisconsin | 2,730 | 330 | 8.3% |
| Nevada | 2,510 | 300 | 12.1% |
| Washington | 2,440 | 320 | 10.9% |
| Maryland | 2,280 | 270 | 5.6% |
| Utah | 1,890 | 230 | 20.4% |
| Oregon | 1,850 | 220 | 10.8% |
| Oklahoma | 1,830 | 220 | 5.8% |
| Kansas | 1,740 | 210 | 6.7% |
| Arkansas | 1,720 | 210 | 6.8% |
| Louisiana | 1,700 | 200 | 4.3% |
| Minnesota | 1,650 | 190 | 4.4% |
| Connecticut | 1,630 | 190 | 7.9% |
| Iowa | 1,630 | 190 | 7.2% |
| West Virginia | 1,160 | 140 | 5.5% |
| Massachusetts | 1,150 | 140 | 2.7% |
| New Mexico | 1,140 | 140 | 8.6% |
| Mississippi | 1,100 | 130 | 7.8% |
| Delaware | 1,080 | 130 | 5.9% |
| New Hampshire | 1,020 | 120 | 5.2% |
| Maine | 850 | 100 | −2.3% |
| Idaho | 690 | 80 | 9.5% |
| Nebraska | 630 | 70 | 5.0% |
| Montana | 600 | 70 | 13.2% |
| North Dakota | 560 | 70 | 5.7% |
| South Dakota | 420 | 50 | 16.7% |
| Rhode Island | 310 | 40 | 3.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 270 | 30 | 12.5% |
| Wyoming | 270 | 30 | 12.5% |
| Alaska | 240 | 30 | 4.3% |
| Vermont | 130 | 20 | — |
| District of Columbia | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Fashion Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 481
- Admit rate
- 58%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college OHKent State University at Kent
- Degrees each year
- 232
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college PASaint Joseph's University
- Degrees each year
- 133
- Admit rate
- 86%
- Annual cost after aid
- $24,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college TXUniversity of North Texas
- Degrees each year
- 108
- Admit rate
- 72%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college NYMarist College
- Degrees each year
- 104
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Annual cost after aid
- $36,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college GAUniversity of Georgia
- Degrees each year
- 82
- Admit rate
- 37%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college TXTexas State University
- Degrees each year
- 67
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college TXTexas Christian University
- Degrees each year
- 58
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open collegeCompare every college offering specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations