so•cial mer,chan•dis•ing \so-shl\ mur-chuhn-dahy-zing Whereas marketing is focused more on brand image, customer engagement, and promotions, merchandising is focused more directly trying to convert browsers into buyers. This includes deciding what customers want, often by asking the social network, and deciding how to position products to the social network.   Merchandising Isn't Enough Just when you think you are starting to understand basic on line merchandising and market