What to Study for GD/ PI for MFM

I have been asked this question several times. It is important that there should be certain background or orientation in order to perform well. Here are my top readings that you can do for GD/PI for MFM.

1. Images Retail: It is a monthly magazine, you would do well to go through it. It is also important that you know the meanings of the terms such as footfalls (No. of people entering in a store), Ticket Size ( Average bill value of a store), Visual Merchandising ( The display of merchandise in the store) Markup ( Cost + Profit) and Margin ( Sales Price- Profit).

2. Economic Times or Financial Express or Mint: Look for the news related to apparel retail, textile or apparel exports.

3. Business of Fashion: A must read  magazine. Please  go through it atleast to have the idea of how brands are doing.

4. Vogue: To get a hang of what fashion is all about.

5. Visit to a Mall: Go to apparel stores and note down:

a. Best store in terms of visual merchandising
b. Best store in terms of variety.
c. Best store in terms of service
and so on... you will get to know so many things about stores.

6. A textile Book: Get to know the meanings of Voile, Silk, Chiffon, Georgette, dyeing, Batik and so on. Should know the difference between weaving and knitting, dyeing and printing etc.

7. Your own wardrobe: Study your cloths. How many formals, casuals etc do you have. What are your wearing and spending patterns.

This is just a small list where you can get enough material that will see you through the conversation during GDs and PI.