Visual Merchandising Certification

Visual Merchandising Certification

Visual merchandising is one of a retailer's most valuable assets. When done well, it can drive sales, inspire loyalty in customers, improve the buying experience and communicate a brand's core values and ideals.

This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of visual merchandising. Although the content focuses primarily on visual merchandising within a traditional retail environment, much of the material is also relevant in other art and design-based contexts, such as exhibition design, interior design, ecommerce-related web design, and event planning.

This course addresses numerous practical aspects of visual merchandising, including the proper use of planograms, brand communication, the launching of sales campaigns, and arranging seasonal displays.

You will learn exactly what drives a customer to make a purchase, and how to harness the shopper's senses in such a way that they feel inclined to buy a product.

Whether you are a small business owner wanting to learn how to show your products to their best advantage, an individual looking to break into the retail industry, or simply someone with a passion for the visual arts, you will soon develop a working knowledge of all key areas of visual merchandising.

The knowledge you gain during this course will prepare you to enter this challenging yet rewarding and highly creative profession.

What You Will Learn

  • What visual merchandising is, why visual merchandising plays a vital role in the retail industry, and the ways in which visual merchandising practices have changed over time.
  • The various kinds of internal and external displays a visual merchandiser will create, the principles underlying good display design, and how planograms are used to guide visual merchandisers in their day-to-day work.
  • How visual merchandisers choose, dress and style mannequins when designing displays.
  • The most common types of fixtures and fittings used by visual merchandisers and how they are used to construct eye-catching displays.
  • Why a visual merchandiser needs to understand the principles behind an effective store layout and how these layouts are put together.
  • How visual merchandisers display home furnishings and related products in a way that promotes sales and improves customer engagement.
  • The challenges that come with displaying shoes and accessories, together with an overview of the most common techniques used to present items in these categories.
  • How visual merchandisers can play a key role in ensuring the success of sales and promotions.
  • The most pressing issues confronting retailers today and how they are shaping visual merchandising roles.
  • How to begin and develop a career in visual merchandising, together with an overview of alternative career paths for those with previous experience in retail merchandising.

Benefits of taking this course

  • You will gain an insight into the necessary qualities and qualifications needed for a career in visual merchandising, which will help you make informed choices when seeking training and employment in this sector.
  • You will be in a position to put together effective, attractive displays that incorporate both merchandise and props.
  • You will be able to apply for entry-level assistant merchandising roles, confident that you have knowledge of the underlying principles of contemporary retail displays.
  • You will be able to begin a career that could give you the opportunity to manage a visual merchandising team, and to assume considerable creative responsibility within a retail environment.
  • You can learn the material in any place, at any time, and at your own speed.
  • All you need is an internet-enabled device.
  • Content is presented as brief modules, making learning easy.
  • Affordable cost.

This course includes

24/7 Student Support

End of course certification

Lifetime access to your course

Compatible with modern devices

PLUS - Access to the exclusive New Skills Academy Study Group!
  • What is meant by the term ‘visual merchandising’
  • The key aims of visual merchandising as a retail practice
  • The history of visual merchandising
  • Why visual merchandising is important and effective in selling products
  • Why key design principles are the foundation of every successful display
  • The most common types of display used in retail environments
  • How to use lighting, to make merchandise more appealing to the customer
  • How color can be employed, to display products to good effect
  • The advantages of using mannequins, to display clothing and accessories
  • How to care for and store mannequins
  • How to dress a mannequin
  • The various forms available that can replace or supplement mannequins
  • What is meant by the term ‘fixture’, in the context of the retail industry;
  • The relationship between the fixtures used in visual merchandising and the way in which a product or line of products is displayed;
  • The relationship between the fixtures used in visual merchandising and the way in which a product or line of products is displayed;
  • How to use platforms and elevations, to show off store merchandise;
  • What is meant by the term ‘store planning
  • How the role of a store planner differs from that of a visual merchandiser
  • Why visual merchandisers should take the time to become familiar with the purposes of store planning, and how it is carried out in practice
  • The key purposes and aims of store design
  • The types of merchandise that fall under the category of home accessories (also known as ‘home fashions’;
  • The importance of setting the scene and using lifestyle themes, when displaying homeware and home accessories;
  • How to display small and fragile goos in a safe, aesthetically pleasing manner;
  • How to use mannequins in the promotion of homeware;
  • Why the presentation of shoes, jewelry and fashion accessories is just as important as that of clothes;
  • The most common props used by visual merchandisers, in order to display items in these categories;
  • How to present shoes, in order to frm an attractive display;
  • How to display jewelry in a way that catches the eye of the customer;
  • How visual merchandising plays an essential role in the performance of a sales campaign;
  • How to use signs, to promote a sale, and the most effective words and phrases to use, in encouraging sales;
  • How to use symbolism, to communicate price reductions;
  • How to use mannequins and other props, to raw attention to a sale;
  • Why retail does not stand still, and how retailers can stay abreast of the latest trends;
  • The rise of online shopping and its implications for visual merchandising;
  • Why omnichannel retailing is growing in popularity and the implications of this trend, for those working in visual merchandising;
  • The role of pop-up shops in contemporary retail and how a visual merchandiser can put together effective displays, in these environments;
  • Why you need to take a proactive approach, in order to advance within the retail industry;
  • What you need to consider, before studyig a formal qualification, and how to choose the right course for you;
  • The options available to you with regards to working hours and environments;
  • How to keep up with changing trends in the retail industry;
ID: YDFT67YHJ
certificate

of achievement

This certificate is presented to

Your Name

NSA

For completing the

Visual Merchandising Certification

on 21st November 2026

Selena Hurford

Selena Hurford

Course Tutor

cpd

Daniel Morgan

Daniel Morgan

Head of Academy

Certificate Example

Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.

The course is broken down into 10 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.

You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!

Once you have completed all 10 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 10 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.

The pass mark for the test is 70%.

If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.

You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.

You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.

We estimate that the course will take about 12 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.

Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.

So far I am really enjoying the course. the details were sent through to me within 4 hours, even though there was up to a 48 hour wait.

This course is very well structured and has many helpful features, such as the recap option for each module, and the summary section at the end of each module.

I will definitely be recommending this course.

Melissa Newlin

This is an absolutely brilliant course, I really enjoyed it and it consists of very detailed information. The test at the end was slightly tricky so it’s important to pay attention to all aspects of the course content. I would highly recommend this course to anyone thinking of becoming a wedding planner, with an interest in this topic or even to anyone who is getting married as there’s a lot of information which could be found useful and certain things that give you good ideas. I loved this course and I’m sad it’s over. It was definitely brilliant from start to finish and is great value for money!

Natasha Boreland

This course was very easy to follow. Any assistance needed was quickly and professionally sorted.
The modules were great. I am a complete novice in this area of studying but was able to follow each module at my own pace and review.
Thoroughly recommend this to any seeking employment in this area. You get a recognised certificate at the end!
What is also useful is you can revisit modules and refer back to even after the course.
There is an exam at the end which was quite hard but it ensures you have read each module carefully ,so you fully understand.
This course is a must for anyone wanting to undertake Admin or PA work.
I passed and can now apply for this type of work with confidence!!
In one word 'Fantastic!'

Samantha Smith

New Skills Academy is a great site to use for learning as it is easy to follow, the layout of the course work makes is very easy to understand and good to make notes from.

I am thoroughly enjoying doing my course and would definitely recommend this site to anyone who is looking to complete a course online.

Another good thing about doing a course on New Skills Academy is being able to apply for an NUS card as it gets you amazing deals on all sorts of shops and online stores that not a lot of sites would offer whilst completing a course online.

Jessica Gardiner

Clear and informative content, excellently delivered for students of all levels to easily undertake.

This course gave me a great level of understanding to confidently take on even further payroll related education. It filled in the gaps where my knowledge was not so strong, which I have now confidently applied to my day to day job.

A boost on my CV which I feel will make me more attractive to future employers. Overall excellent and highly recommended!

Alex Hooton

Having recently started a role in the payroll department I felt I needed to gain knowledge from as many sources as possible.

I found this course to be thorough, easy to understand and the website easy to navigate. It gave me a much greater understanding of payroll systems, the legal obligations of an employer and HMRC guidelines.

I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone starting out or wanting to progress in a payroll role.

Wendy Spencer

Duration:
12 hours

Access:
Lifetime Access

Approved by:
CPD

Learning Type:


Text based modules  Images 

Cost:
$120.00

Visual Merchandising Certification

Visual merchandising is one of a retailer's most valuable assets. When done well, it can drive sales, inspire loyalty in customers, improve the buying experience and communicate a brand's core values and ideals.

This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of visual merchandising. Although the content focuses primarily on visual merchandising within a traditional retail environment, much of the material is also relevant in other art and design-based contexts, such as exhibition design, interior design, ecommerce-related web design, and event planning.

This course addresses numerous practical aspects of visual merchandising, including the proper use of planograms, brand communication, the launching of sales campaigns, and arranging seasonal displays.

You will learn exactly what drives a customer to make a purchase, and how to harness the shopper's senses in such a way that they feel inclined to buy a product.

Whether you are a small business owner wanting to learn how to show your products to their best advantage, an individual looking to break into the retail industry, or simply someone with a passion for the visual arts, you will soon develop a working knowledge of all key areas of visual merchandising.

The knowledge you gain during this course will prepare you to enter this challenging yet rewarding and highly creative profession.

What You Will Learn

  • What visual merchandising is, why visual merchandising plays a vital role in the retail industry, and the ways in which visual merchandising practices have changed over time.
  • The various kinds of internal and external displays a visual merchandiser will create, the principles underlying good display design, and how planograms are used to guide visual merchandisers in their day-to-day work.
  • How visual merchandisers choose, dress and style mannequins when designing displays.
  • The most common types of fixtures and fittings used by visual merchandisers and how they are used to construct eye-catching displays.
  • Why a visual merchandiser needs to understand the principles behind an effective store layout and how these layouts are put together.
  • How visual merchandisers display home furnishings and related products in a way that promotes sales and improves customer engagement.
  • The challenges that come with displaying shoes and accessories, together with an overview of the most common techniques used to present items in these categories.
  • How visual merchandisers can play a key role in ensuring the success of sales and promotions.
  • The most pressing issues confronting retailers today and how they are shaping visual merchandising roles.
  • How to begin and develop a career in visual merchandising, together with an overview of alternative career paths for those with previous experience in retail merchandising.

Benefits of taking this course

  • You will gain an insight into the necessary qualities and qualifications needed for a career in visual merchandising, which will help you make informed choices when seeking training and employment in this sector.
  • You will be in a position to put together effective, attractive displays that incorporate both merchandise and props.
  • You will be able to apply for entry-level assistant merchandising roles, confident that you have knowledge of the underlying principles of contemporary retail displays.
  • You will be able to begin a career that could give you the opportunity to manage a visual merchandising team, and to assume considerable creative responsibility within a retail environment.
  • You can learn the material in any place, at any time, and at your own speed.
  • All you need is an internet-enabled device.
  • Content is presented as brief modules, making learning easy.
  • Affordable cost.

This course includes

24/7 Student Support

End of course certification

Lifetime access to your course

Compatible with modern devices

PLUS - Access to the exclusive New Skills Academy Study Group!
  • What is meant by the term ‘visual merchandising’
  • The key aims of visual merchandising as a retail practice
  • The history of visual merchandising
  • Why visual merchandising is important and effective in selling products
  • Why key design principles are the foundation of every successful display
  • The most common types of display used in retail environments
  • How to use lighting, to make merchandise more appealing to the customer
  • How color can be employed, to display products to good effect
  • The advantages of using mannequins, to display clothing and accessories
  • How to care for and store mannequins
  • How to dress a mannequin
  • The various forms available that can replace or supplement mannequins
  • What is meant by the term ‘fixture’, in the context of the retail industry;
  • The relationship between the fixtures used in visual merchandising and the way in which a product or line of products is displayed;
  • The relationship between the fixtures used in visual merchandising and the way in which a product or line of products is displayed;
  • How to use platforms and elevations, to show off store merchandise;
  • What is meant by the term ‘store planning
  • How the role of a store planner differs from that of a visual merchandiser
  • Why visual merchandisers should take the time to become familiar with the purposes of store planning, and how it is carried out in practice
  • The key purposes and aims of store design
  • The types of merchandise that fall under the category of home accessories (also known as ‘home fashions’;
  • The importance of setting the scene and using lifestyle themes, when displaying homeware and home accessories;
  • How to display small and fragile goos in a safe, aesthetically pleasing manner;
  • How to use mannequins in the promotion of homeware;
  • Why the presentation of shoes, jewelry and fashion accessories is just as important as that of clothes;
  • The most common props used by visual merchandisers, in order to display items in these categories;
  • How to present shoes, in order to frm an attractive display;
  • How to display jewelry in a way that catches the eye of the customer;
  • How visual merchandising plays an essential role in the performance of a sales campaign;
  • How to use signs, to promote a sale, and the most effective words and phrases to use, in encouraging sales;
  • How to use symbolism, to communicate price reductions;
  • How to use mannequins and other props, to raw attention to a sale;
  • Why retail does not stand still, and how retailers can stay abreast of the latest trends;
  • The rise of online shopping and its implications for visual merchandising;
  • Why omnichannel retailing is growing in popularity and the implications of this trend, for those working in visual merchandising;
  • The role of pop-up shops in contemporary retail and how a visual merchandiser can put together effective displays, in these environments;
  • Why you need to take a proactive approach, in order to advance within the retail industry;
  • What you need to consider, before studyig a formal qualification, and how to choose the right course for you;
  • The options available to you with regards to working hours and environments;
  • How to keep up with changing trends in the retail industry;
ID: YDFT67YHJ
certificate

of achievement

This certificate is presented to

Your Name

NSA

For completing the

Visual Merchandising Certification

on 21st November 2026

Selena Hurford

Selena Hurford

Course Tutor

cpd

Daniel Morgan

Daniel Morgan

Head of Academy

Certificate Example

Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.

The course is broken down into 10 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.

You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!

Once you have completed all 10 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 10 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.

The pass mark for the test is 70%.

If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.

You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.

You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.

We estimate that the course will take about 12 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.

Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.

So far I am really enjoying the course. the details were sent through to me within 4 hours, even though there was up to a 48 hour wait.

This course is very well structured and has many helpful features, such as the recap option for each module, and the summary section at the end of each module.

I will definitely be recommending this course.

Melissa Newlin

This is an absolutely brilliant course, I really enjoyed it and it consists of very detailed information. The test at the end was slightly tricky so it’s important to pay attention to all aspects of the course content. I would highly recommend this course to anyone thinking of becoming a wedding planner, with an interest in this topic or even to anyone who is getting married as there’s a lot of information which could be found useful and certain things that give you good ideas. I loved this course and I’m sad it’s over. It was definitely brilliant from start to finish and is great value for money!

Natasha Boreland

This course was very easy to follow. Any assistance needed was quickly and professionally sorted.
The modules were great. I am a complete novice in this area of studying but was able to follow each module at my own pace and review.
Thoroughly recommend this to any seeking employment in this area. You get a recognised certificate at the end!
What is also useful is you can revisit modules and refer back to even after the course.
There is an exam at the end which was quite hard but it ensures you have read each module carefully ,so you fully understand.
This course is a must for anyone wanting to undertake Admin or PA work.
I passed and can now apply for this type of work with confidence!!
In one word 'Fantastic!'

Samantha Smith

New Skills Academy is a great site to use for learning as it is easy to follow, the layout of the course work makes is very easy to understand and good to make notes from.

I am thoroughly enjoying doing my course and would definitely recommend this site to anyone who is looking to complete a course online.

Another good thing about doing a course on New Skills Academy is being able to apply for an NUS card as it gets you amazing deals on all sorts of shops and online stores that not a lot of sites would offer whilst completing a course online.

Jessica Gardiner

Clear and informative content, excellently delivered for students of all levels to easily undertake.

This course gave me a great level of understanding to confidently take on even further payroll related education. It filled in the gaps where my knowledge was not so strong, which I have now confidently applied to my day to day job.

A boost on my CV which I feel will make me more attractive to future employers. Overall excellent and highly recommended!

Alex Hooton

Having recently started a role in the payroll department I felt I needed to gain knowledge from as many sources as possible.

I found this course to be thorough, easy to understand and the website easy to navigate. It gave me a much greater understanding of payroll systems, the legal obligations of an employer and HMRC guidelines.

I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone starting out or wanting to progress in a payroll role.

Wendy Spencer

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