What is a retail analyst?

A retail analyst, sometimes called a merchandising analyst, studies the financial records of a retail chain to determine its financial health and predict its future sales and revenue performance. As a retail analyst, you examine quantitative and qualitative data, from inventory and pricing to employment data and financial reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). You utilize this data to develop recommendations on increasing sales targets and profits. Market trends change, so you also need to keep abreast of the current sales atmosphere.