What does merchandising involve?

Merchandising primarily involves promoting and selling products to consumers, ensuring that the right products are available in the right place and at the right time. This discipline includes various activities designed to boost sales and enhance the customer experience, such as product placement, visual displays, pricing strategies, and marketing promotions. Effective merchandising not only attracts customers to purchase but also communicates the value and features of the products in a compelling way.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of the marketing and product management process. Creating product designs pertains to product development, which is about conceptualizing and designing goods before they reach the market. Distributing goods to retailers relates to logistics and supply chain management, ensuring products are delivered efficiently to points of sale. Conducting market research involves gathering and analyzing consumer data to inform product development and marketing strategies, which is a crucial step but distinct from the direct selling activities that merchandising encompasses.