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Merchandise Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Merchandise Intern information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a merchandise intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Merchandise Intern, you need a basic understanding of retail operations, strong analytical skills, and a relevant academic background in business, marketing, or fashion. Familiarity with inventory management systems, Microsoft Excel, and merchandising planning tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and teamwork help interns stand out in supporting merchandising strategies. These skills ensure accurate product placement, efficient workflow, and valuable contributions to the merchandising team’s success.

What are some typical projects or tasks a merchandise intern can expect to work on during their internship?

As a Merchandise Intern, you can expect to assist with tasks such as analyzing sales data, helping to prepare product assortments, supporting inventory management, and coordinating with vendors or suppliers. You'll often work closely with both the merchandising and buying teams, gaining exposure to the entire product lifecycle—from planning and selection to in-store placement. This role provides valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to develop organizational and analytical skills, which are highly regarded in the retail and fashion industries.

What does a merchandise intern do?

A Merchandise Intern supports the merchandising team by assisting with product selection, inventory management, and market research. They often help analyze sales trends, prepare reports, and coordinate with vendors to ensure products are delivered on time. Interns may also participate in visual merchandising, organizing displays, and helping with promotional activities. This role provides hands-on experience in the retail and fashion industry, developing both analytical and creative skills.

What is the difference between Merchandise Intern vs Merchandise Associate?

AspectMerchandise InternMerchandise Associate
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or ongoing college courseworkHigh school diploma; some roles prefer associate degree
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in retail or fashion companiesFull-time retail or warehouse environment
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in retail, fashion, and consumer goods industries as entry-levelCommon in retail and merchandising sectors for ongoing roles
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with inventory, displays, and market researchManaging stock, setting up displays, and supporting sales

The main difference between a Merchandise Intern and a Merchandise Associate is the experience level and job scope. Interns typically assist with basic tasks and gain industry exposure, while Associates handle more responsibilities like managing stock and displays. Internships are often temporary and educational, whereas Associate roles are ongoing employment positions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Merchandise jobs in California? The most popular types of Merchandise jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Merchandise Intern jobs? Cities in California with the most Merchandise Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Merchandise Intern job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution.

Store Executive Intern (Store Leadership Intern) - Bay Area, CA (Starting Summer 2027)

Target

Sunnyvale, CA

$31.25 - $33.25/hr

Temporary, Internship

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Target rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 6,976 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

The pay range per hour is $31.25- $33.25.
Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation.

ALL ABOUT TARGET

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture.Learn more about Target here.

ALL ABOUT THE STORES EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Experience firsthand whatit'slike to lead a retail team within a Target store. This internship is a paid 40hr/week, hands-on training program to develop and prepareyouforstore leadership. As a Stores Executive Intern, you willgeta valuable realistic preview of the Executive Team Leader role(Assistant Store Manager)over a definedperiod of time. Within this store management internship, you will work closely with other managers and team members to develop an understanding of how Target's retail business works and what it takes to excel ina managementrole. You will be introduced to multiple areas of thestore'sbusiness, butthe majority ofyour time will bespent leading amongst the team,identifyingand working towards store priorities,and delivering great guest service.

This program is designed to teach individuals how to lead within a retailstore andyou will:

  • Learnhow to drive guest experienceandimpactyour store's financial, team, and operational performance.

  • Work alongside a mentor and learn how they effectively lead their department within the store.

  • Have the opportunity tostep into leading yourmentor's departments-of course, we will be there to guide you and help you learn along the way!

  • Spend your days learning to lead and motivate a team, drive sales results, merchandise products, and provide an exceptional experience for our guests.

  • Have ongoing development conversations, as your development will be a top priority of ours.

  • Lead and support the execution of daily operations by workingwithyour teammembers tobuildculture and guide your team to grow and achieve goals.

Learnmore from past Interns, Mentors, and Managershere.

At Target, we believe in our leaders having meaningful experiences that help them build and develop skills for a career.The goal of the Stores Executive internship is to provide a realistic job preview of an ETL role.The role ofa StoresExecutive Intern can provide you with theskills and experience of:

  • Guest service fundamentals and experience building and managing a guest-first team culture across the store

  • Guest engagement; problem-solving and resolution

  • Retail business fundamentals

  • Setting and planning department(s) monthly/quarterly workload to support business priorities and managing a team to deliver service and sales goals

  • Managing a team of hourly team membersandteam leaderswhilecreating business strategies and goals

  • Recruiting, selecting and talent management of hourly team members and leaders

As a Stores Executive Intern, no two daysare ever the same, but a typical day willmost likely includethe following responsibilities:

  • Spending time on the storesalesfloorand backroom leadingteam members and aligning the team on daily business priorities

  • Working alongside your Executive Team Lead (ETL) mentor and other leaders in the building to gain an understanding of their roles

  • Leading through daily priorities (stocking shelves, ensuring a safe and welcoming environmentthat'sinviting toguests, helping build displays within the store, etc.)

  • Partnering with leadersregardingteam member performance by teaching, coaching, training, and deliveringtimelyperformance feedback

  • Addressing team member concerns and removing hurdles to ensure smooth operations and goal attainment

  • Leading/presenting at daily huddles with peer/leadership team

  • Planning daily goals and organizingplans within the building

  • Providing summary of results and priorities with peer/leadership team

  • Working withstoreleaders each day to set goals and expectations

  • Reviewingbusiness reporting and guest insights to understand, troubleshoot and follow up on opportunity areas.

  • Delivering an exceptional guest experience by ensuring team members are knowledgeable and empowered to make it right for guests

  • Providingnew ideasandrecommendsolutions to business or team opportunities

  • Taking the initiative to learn how to be a Target leader by seeking out opportunities for growth and development; continuously learningthroughout the internship experience

  • Commit to learning Target's expectations of leaders and use them to personally develop by asking questions and seeking feedback

  • Activelyparticipatein internship program training activities, developmentalopportunitiesand events

  • Demonstrate a willingness to takestrategicrisksand take on new assignments

  • Demonstrate a culture of ethical conduct, safety, and compliance; lead the team to work in the same way and hold others accountable to this commitment

  • Work in a safe mannerat all timestobenefityourself and others;identifyand correct hazards;comply withall safety policies and best practices

  • Foster an inclusive,equitable,safe, and secure culture

  • Carry out principal duties and responsibilities by the department

  • Gain an understanding of all business areas to develop business acumen

  • Create a welcoming experience by greeting guests as you are completing your daily tasks.

  • When guests needassistance, engage with guests in a welcoming way, to help solve their specific needs

  • Thank guests and let them knowwe'rehappy they chose to shop at Target

  • All other duties based on business needs

ALL ABOUT YOU

This maybe the right job for you if:

  • You enjoy interacting and helping others - including guests thatshopour store and fellow team members you work with.

  • You thrive in a fast-moving, highlyactiveand physically demanding role, where teamwork, flexibility, and creative problem solving are key to success.

  • You are open toworkinga flexible work schedule with varying hours,daysor shifts (including nights, weekends,holidaysand other peak shopping times).

The good news is that we have some amazing training that will help teach you how to be an effective leader within our stores. But there are a fewthingsyouneedfrom the get-go:

  • Previousretail experience preferred, but notrequired

  • Strong interest in working in retail, specifically within our storesin management

  • Leadership skills and team-oriented thinking

  • Learn and adapt to currenttechnologyneeds

  • Work independently and as part of a team

  • Manage workload and prioritize tasks independently

  • Welcoming and helpful attitude

  • Effective communication skills

We are an awesome place to work and care about our teams, so we want to make sure we are clear on a few more basicsthatwe expect:

  • Access all areas of the building to respond to guest or team member issues

  • Interpret instructions, reports, and information

  • Accurately handle cash register operationsasneeded

  • Climb up and down laddersasneeded

  • Scan,handleand move merchandise efficiently and safely, includingfrequentlylifting or moving merchandiseup to 44pounds

  • Ability to communicate on multiple frequency devices andoperatehandheld scanners, and othertechnologyequipment as directed

  • Flexible work schedule (e.g., nights,weekendsand holidays) and reliable and prompt attendance necessary

Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond athttps://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

Target will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the San Francisco and City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinances.

Benefits Eligibility

Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_G | Pegue esta URL en su navegador preferido para obtener informacion sobre la elegibilidad de este puesto para recibir beneficios: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_G

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to candidate.accommodations@HRHelp.Target.com. Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.


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About Target

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We're here to help all families discover the joy of everyday life. Target is a general merchandise retailer with stores in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. 75% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Target store. We employ 400,000+ Our tagline is "Expect More. Pay Less." We've been using it since 1994! The Target Corporation also owns Shipt and Roundel. More to love! Target is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, its hometown since the first Target store opened in 1962 under The Dayton Company.

Industry

Retail and scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Minneapolis, MN, US