Diploma in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising Management

Diploma in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising Management - Online 

Programme Objectives:

The objectives of the Diploma in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising Management is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry by combining creative, technical, and business knowledge essential for success in both marketing and merchandising roles.
This programme is designed to:

• Equip students with the foundational principles of fashion marketing, branding, and retail promotion.
• Develop strong merchandising skills, including product development, assortment planning, cost control, and supply chain coordination.
• Provide practical knowledge of textile materials, garment construction, and trend forecasting.
• Train students to analyze fashion consumer behavior and market dynamics.
• Introduce digital marketing tools and platforms essential for modern fashion promotion and e-commerce.
• Promote ethical and sustainable practices within the fashion value chain.
• Prepare students for real-world industry roles through hands-on projects, internships, and portfolio development.

Fashion Marketing Modules

Introduction to Fashion Marketing
Definition & Role of Fashion Marketing
Evolution of Fashion Industry
Fashion Marketing vs General Marketing
Fashion Market Environments & Trends
Global & Local Fashion Markets

Consumer Behaviour in Fashion
What influences fashion consumers (psychological, social, cultural)
Fashion adoption & diffusion theories (trickle up, trickle down, trickle across)
Fashion cycle (introduction, rise, maturity, decline)
Segmentation, Targeting, & Positioning in fashion context

Product Strategy & Brand Management
Brand concepts & brand equity in fashion
New product development; line & range planning
Product portfolio analysis (e.g. BCG matrix style for fashion lines)
Branding, packaging, labelling as fashion identity elements
Luxury vs commercial fashion branding

Pricing, Costs & Value Perception
Pricing strategies (premium, penetration, value based, discount etc.)
Cost components, cost of goods sold in fashion
Perceived value vs actual cost
Effect of brand, exclusivity, materials, craftsmanship on price
Discounts, markdowns, promotions & their effect
Break even & profitability in fashion lines

Promotion & Communication
Advertising, PR, social media, influencer marketing
Visual merchandising; window displays & in store presentation
Fashion shows, events, trade fairs & exhibitions
Integrated marketing communication (IMC) for fashion a nd lifestyle brands
Creative briefs, press releases, content strategies
Storytelling & brand voice in fashion marketing

Distribution & Retailing
Retail formats: online, brick and mortar, multichannel, omnichannel
Role of fashion buyers, wholesalers, distributors
Store location, layout, store design & atmosphere
Visual merchandiser’s role
Logistics, supply chain, inventory management in fashion distribution

Fashion Research, Forecasting & Trend Analysis
Market research methods (qualitative & quantitative)
Trend forecasting: color, fabric, silhouette, consumer trends
Tools & sources for fashion trend insights (shows, forecasting services, digital media)
Data analytics, digital listening, consumer insights
Using research to inform design, marketing & buying decisions

Ethics, Sustainability & Social Responsibility
Ethical sourcing, fair trade, labour rights in fashion supply chains
Environmental impacts: material choice, waste, water, carbon footprint
Transparency & traceability
Sustainable business models: slow fashion, circular fashion, up cycling
Consumer expectations & regulatory pressures

Digital & New Media in Fashion Marketing
E commerce, mobile commerce, online marketplaces
Social media strategy & influencer collaborations
Content marketing, video, digital lookbooks
Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality in fashion presentation
Digital impact on brand building & consumer engagement
Analytics & metrics for digital campaigns

Marketing Planning, Strategy & Management
Preparing a fashion marketing plan: mission, SWOT, objectives
Strategic positioning, competitive analysis
Budgeting, monitoring & evaluating campaigns
Brand extension, collaborations & partnerships
Crisis management & brand reputation
Case studies of successful & failed fashion marketing strategies  

Merchandising Management Modules

Introduction to Merchandising & Apparel/Textile Industry
Role of Merchandising in Fashion, Textile & Retail Industry
Industry Structure: Brands, Manufacturers, Buying Houses, Suppliers
Trends in Global Apparel Trade, Sustainability, and Ethical Sourcing

Textile & Fabric Technology
Fiber Types (Natural, Synthetic, Blends)
Yarn & Fabric Construction: Weaving, Knitting
Fabric Finishes and Treatments
Fabric Defects and Inspection
Understanding Fabric Performance (Durability, Shrinkage, Colorfastness)

Accessories & Raw Materials
Trims, Notions, Labels, Packaging Materials
Sourcing Materials Internationally and Locally
Costing of Accessories
Lead Times and Quality Standards

Product Development & Sampling
Design Concepts and Trend Forecasting
Line Planning
Sketches and Tech Pack Creation
Prototype / Sample Development: Fit, Size Set, Pre-Production (PP) Samples
Approvals and Revisions

Costing, Pricing & Consumption Calculations
Fabric Consumption and Yield
Cost Components (Material, Labour, Overheads, Transportation, Duties, etc.)
Quoting and Price Negotiations
Margin Calculation
Impact of Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)

Order Planning & Production Merchandising
Order Lifecycle: From Placement to Shipment
Scheduling: Capacity Planning and Production Calendar
Production Progression and Follow-Up
Communication Between Merchandising, Production, Quality, and Buyers
Factory Lead Times and Managing Delays

Quality Assurance & Testing
Quality Standards (Internal & Buyer Specifications)
Testing Methods for Fabric and Finished Garments
Inspection Procedures (In-Process and Pre-Shipment)
Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) and Defect Analysis
Basics of Lean and Six Sigma

Supply Chain Management & Logistics
Sourcing Strategies and Vendor Selection
Import/Export Documentation
Customs, Tariffs, and Trade Regulations
Inventory Management
Warehousing and Distribution

Retail Merchandising & Fashion Marketing 
Visual Merchandising, Display, and Store Layout
Branding and Fashion Marketing Principles
Forecasting and Demand Planning
Customer Behavior and Retail Trends

Documentation, Compliance & Ethics
Purchase Orders, Invoices, and Packing Lists
Compliance: Social, Environmental, and Safety Standards
Ethical Sourcing and Sustainability
Intellectual Property: Design Protection and Trademarks

Professional Skills & Performance Metrics
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Result Areas (KRAs) for Merchandisers
Negotiation, Communication, and Stakeholder Management
Decision Making and Problem-Solving
Data Analysis and Reporting

Duration            : 1 Year

Medium             : English  Medium

Schedule           : 2 days per week - Friday and Saturday from 8.00 pm to 10.15 pm Sri Lanka Time 

Commencement: 13th March 2026

Entry Requirements : 
Pass GCE A/L with GCE (O/L) including Maths & English

GCE (O/L) including Maths & English with Six months work experience in the apparel industry

Payment Plan :   

Registration Fees : Rs. 10,000 

Course Fee: Rs. 10,000 (Initial Payment) + Rs. 10,000 x 11 Installments - Initial Payment to be paid at the beginning 
Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) of 2.5 % would be charged on all above fees.

Programme delivery and assessments are conducted online only

On successful completion of the course, students are awarded with a Certificate which is highly recognized in the Garment Industry for employment.

Reservations: Please call - 076 828 7000 / 076 096 2407 / 077 447 9026