Merchandise planning is an applied skill; there are a good number of opportunities for merchandise planners in South Africa and there is a current shortage of these skills in the country. 

Merchandise planners have several work opportunities in various industries, particularly in retail and e-commerce sectors. Below are some potential work opportunities for merchandise planners:

1. Retail Companies: Many retail companies hire merchandise planners to ensure effective stock management, assortment selection, and pricing strategies to maximize sales and profitability. Examples: The Foschini Group (TFG), Truworths, Pick N Pay clothing. 
2. E-commerce Platforms: Online retailers and e-commerce platforms often require merchandise planners to optimise stock levels, forecast demand, and curate product assortments for their websites. Examples: Superbalist, Zando.
3. Fashion and Apparel Brands: Companies in the fashion and apparel industry often employ merchandise planners to plan and forecast merchandise needs, identify trends, and manage inventory levels across retail stores and online channels. Examples: TFG, Truworths, Pick N Pay clothing.
4. Consumer Goods Companies: Manufacturers of consumer goods such as electronics, appliances, and consumer packaged goods hire merchandise planners to coordinate with retail partners, optimize product placement, and ensure optimal inventory levels based on market demand. Examples: Game, Makro.
5. Home Furnishing and Décor Companies: Businesses in the home furnishing and décor industry hire merchandise planners to curate product assortments, manage stock, and optimise sales strategies to enhance customer experience and drive revenue.  Examples: @home, Coricraft
6. Beauty and Cosmetics Brands: Cosmetics and beauty companies often require merchandise planners to forecast demand, plan new product launches, and design effective promotions and pricing strategies. Examples: Clicks, Dischem, Revlon.
7. Sporting Goods and Outdoor Retailers: Companies specializing in sporting goods and outdoor equipment often employ merchandise planners to forecast demand, manage inventory, and optimise assortments to cater to specific customer segments. Examples: Sportsmans Warehouse, Outdoor Warehouse.
8. Grocery and Specialty Stores: Grocery chains and specialty stores hire merchandise planners to manage inventory and ensure optimal product assortments based on consumer demand patterns and market trends. Examples, Pick N Pay, Shoprite Group, Woolworths.
9. Luxury Brands and Retailers: High-end luxury brands and retailers often employ merchandise planners to plan and manage inventory for their exclusive product offerings, optimise product mix, and ensure efficient stock rotation. Examples: Gucci, Prada. 
10. Wholesale and Distribution Companies: Wholesale and distribution companies often hire merchandise planners to analyse market trends, plan inventory levels and assortments, and manage relationships with retail partners. Examples: Bidvest, Massmart, Unilever, RCL FOODS.

These are just a few examples, as merchandise planners can find work opportunities in various industries where effective stock management and demand forecasting are critical for business success.