How is retail merchandising defined?

Retail merchandising is defined as the process of promoting goods at retail. This involves planning and implementing strategies to effectively display products in a retail environment to attract consumers and encourage purchases. Merchandising encompasses not only the selection and presentation of merchandise but also includes promotional activities such as sales events, advertising, and store displays that highlight products. The goal of retail merchandising is to make products appealing and accessible to shoppers, thus driving sales and enhancing the overall shopping experience.

While understanding consumer behavior is certainly important in retail, this falls under a broader category of marketing rather than specifically defining merchandising. Lowering prices may attract customers but is not reflective of merchandising as a whole, which includes a variety of promotional tactics beyond just price. Analyzing competition is also essential in the retail environment, but it serves as a strategy for positioning within the market rather than directly defining the act of merchandising itself.