Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the individual, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Store merchandise and marketing policies may include:
current market position
store culture
target market.
Customer requirements may be monitored by:
observation
questionnaires
surveys.
Merchandise range may include:
existing stock
new stock.
Impact on business operations may include:
budgeting
buying
ordering patterns
planning.
Relevant personnel may include:
frontline staff
relevant managers
specialist staff
supervisors
team leaders.
Feedback may be sought and given:
in groups or individually
verbally or in writing.
Staff training may include:
off-the-job
one-on-one coaching
on-the-job
any combination of the above.
Staff may include:
fulltime, part-time, casual or contract staff
people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
people with varying degrees of language and literacy levels.
Stock lines may be deleted due to:
changes in store policy and culture
customer requirements
fashion trends
problems with supply
product availability
sales performance.
Consolidation of stock may include:
movement of stock between departments or stores.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
applies store policy and procedures, industry codes of practice, statutory requirements and regulations in regard to buying, merchandising and marketing practices
demonstrates planning, procurement and rationalisation of stock and merchandise ranges
interprets market trends and applies them to the store situation to create opportunities to improve sales, while maximising profits
trains and communicates information to and from staff or team members in regard to stock, merchandise and service range.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a retail work environment, including existing merchandise ranges
relevant store systems, information and documentation, including:
stock management system
store or department sales figures
merchandise budget information
merchandising and marketing policies
merchandising plan, including space allocation data
merchandise and supplier data
sales staff.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of performance in the workplace
customer feedback
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.