THIS OUTLINE FOR A COURSE IN THE ESSENTIALS OF MERCHANDISING IS DESIGNED FOR THE INEXPERIENCED RETAIL EMPLOYEE. THE COURSE IS PLANNED FOR SIX 2-HOUR SESSIONS ON (1) FUNDAMENTALS OF MERCHANDISING, (2) TERMINOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS OF MERCHANDISING, (3) BUYING POLICIES AND PRACTICES, (4) MARKET REPRESENTATIVES, (5) TERMS OF PURCHASE, INCLUDING DISCOUNTS, DATING, AND SHIPPING TERMS, AND (6) MERCHANDISING PERSONNEL, INCLUDING QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES. THE OUTLINE OF EACH SESSION PERHAPS CONTAINS MORE THAN CAN BE COVERED IN A SESSION, WHICH ALLOWS THE TEACHER TO SELECT, ADAPT, AND MODIFY THE CONTENT TO FIT THE LOCAL PICTURE. THE NATURE OF THE TOPICS PRESENTED PERMITS THE TEACHING OF CERTAIN SESSIONS EACH BY A DIFFERENT TEACHER, BUT ONE PERSON SHOULD SERVE AS COORDINATOR. GROUP PARTICIPATION AND DISCUSSION SHOULD BE USED. THE COURSE MAY BE TAUGHT BY A MERCHANDISE MANAGER, A DEPARTMENT HEAD OR BUYER, OR A DISTRIBUTIVE EDUCATION TEACHER. A BIBLIOGRAPHY, TIPS TO TEACHERS, AND POINTERS FOR DISCUSSION LEADERS ARE APPENDED. (SM)