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Apparel sales associate vs furniture sales associate

The differences between apparel sales associates and furniture sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a furniture sales associate has an average salary of $49,717, which is higher than the $29,897 average annual salary of an apparel sales associate.

The top three skills for an apparel sales associate include cash handling, customer engagement and retail sales. The most important skills for a furniture sales associate are sales associates, sales floor, and furniture sales.

Apparel sales associate vs furniture sales associate overview

Apparel Sales AssociateFurniture Sales Associate
Yearly salary$29,897$49,717
Hourly rate$14.37$23.90
Growth rate--
Number of jobs438,252304,173
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

What does an apparel sales associate do?

An apparel sales associate works with customers and makes sales. A sales associate's primary responsibility is to communicate with customers, answer their inquiries about the products, and promote its benefits to encourage a purchase. The apparel sales associate is expected to be knowledgeable about the company's products or services. The associate's other responsibilities are to develop sales techniques to encourage purchases, make a store inventory of products, and receive feedback and comments from customers. They will also work with the sales and marketing department.

What does a furniture sales associate do?

A furniture sales associate is, basically, responsible for selling furniture. They have to keep their sales pitch polished, because they are required to make customers buy products, even if they are unwilling. Selling is not their only responsibility, however. They also do the job of an advertiser to promote the products of the business and attract new customers. Good communication and interpersonal skills will be a strong asset in this role, since it involves face-to-face or phone communication with potential customers.

Apparel sales associate vs furniture sales associate salary

Apparel sales associates and furniture sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Apparel Sales AssociateFurniture Sales Associate
Average salary$29,897$49,717
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $38,000Between $36,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City-Arlington, VA
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Sadler's Home Furnishings
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between apparel sales associate and furniture sales associate education

There are a few differences between an apparel sales associate and a furniture sales associate in terms of educational background:

Apparel Sales AssociateFurniture Sales Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Apparel sales associate vs furniture sales associate demographics

Here are the differences between apparel sales associates' and furniture sales associates' demographics:

Apparel Sales AssociateFurniture Sales Associate
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 18.6% Female, 81.4%Male, 65.0% Female, 35.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.8% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between apparel sales associate and furniture sales associate duties and responsibilities

Apparel sales associate example responsibilities.

  • Supervise women's department, manage jewelry department, assist customers on finalizing purchases
  • Operate POS station to smoothly process cash and credit transactions.
  • Prepare quality food products, process accurate register transactions, maintain general appearance and cleanliness of store premises.
  • Perform minor repairs on Kohl's jewelry like changing watch batteries and removing watch links.

Furniture sales associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage teal (register), maintain cleanliness and appearance of the outside lawn & garden area.
  • Process POS and return transactions, applying sales techniques to encourage customers to enroll in the company customer loyalty program.
  • Assist customers with questions and concerns with merchandise, handling POS transactions and returns.
  • Update daily records of sales orders and maintain familiarity with dealership fleets including staying update regarding competitor products and offerings.
  • Improve customer solicitation pitch to increase Kohl's credit card application solicitations.

Apparel sales associate vs furniture sales associate skills

Common apparel sales associate skills
  • Cash Handling, 27%
  • Customer Engagement, 25%
  • Retail Sales, 23%
  • Merchandise Presentation, 15%
  • Customer Service, 3%
  • Product Knowledge, 2%
Common furniture sales associate skills
  • Sales Associates, 31%
  • Sales Floor, 28%
  • Furniture Sales, 11%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • POS, 4%
  • Basic Math, 3%