3553 Merchandisers

In short

• ONS unit group 3553, in minor group 355 (Sales, marketing and related associate professionals) and major group 3 (Associate professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £33,400 (£17.13 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £25,200 (£12.92 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Merchandisers ensure that stores are supplied with goods, liaise with suppliers, decide on pricing and promotions and advise retailers on the optimum display of merchandise.

Typical entry routes

Most entrants possess a degree or equivalent qualification, although there are no formal academic requirements and entry is also possible with a BTEC/SQA award, A levels/H grades, or HNC/HND.

Tasks

• monitors stock levels and manages the movement of goods
• predicts future demand and negotiates the supply and price of goods to ensure stores are stocked
• analyses customer requirements, the needs of individual stores and the organisation, and works with suppliers to develop a product range
• supplies information about products to the retailer and sales staff
• consults with advertising and sales staff and advises retailers on the optimal display of a product and of any promotions
• provides feedback about sales to senior managers

Related job titles

• Demand planner
• Merchandiser
• Sales merchandiser
• Supply chain analyst

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3553 Merchandisers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Merchandisers

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3553 Merchandisers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

3539, 3541, 3543, 7125

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Merchandisers

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£25,200 (£12.92 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 355

• 3551 Buyers and procurement officers
• 3552 Business sales executives
• 3554 Advertising and marketing associate professionals
• 3555 Estate agents and auctioneers
• 3556 Sales accounts and business development managers
• 3557 Events managers and organisers

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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