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Field merchandiser vs retail merchandiser

The differences between field merchandisers and retail merchandisers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a field merchandiser has an average salary of $31,495, which is higher than the $28,678 average annual salary of a retail merchandiser.

The top three skills for a field merchandiser include sales floor, store management and store associates. The most important skills for a retail merchandiser are customer service, store management, and POS.

Field merchandiser vs retail merchandiser overview

Field MerchandiserRetail Merchandiser
Yearly salary$31,495$28,678
Hourly rate$15.14$13.79
Growth rate1%-
Number of jobs115,632477,794
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4041
Years of experience--

What does a field merchandiser do?

A field merchandiser is in charge of distributing and selling a company's products in retail stores and similar establishments. Their responsibilities include offering products and services to customers, devising sales strategies, developing sales programs and promotions, and maintaining a clear and active communication line with retailers. They must also arrange product displays to attract customers, remove damaged or expired goods, and even conduct product demonstrations. Moreover, a field merchandiser must produce regular sales and progress reports, coordinating with managers should there be any problems.

What does a retail merchandiser do?

A retail merchandiser is responsible for determining the accuracy of sales and analyzing market trends to ensure that the business can follow stock movements and adjust plan budgets as needed. Retail merchandisers' duties also include planning strategies that would provide satisfaction for the customers while meeting the company's objectives, and coordinating with the suppliers and distributors for timely deliveries and price negotiations. Retail merchandisers also assist customers, analyze sales performance, and monitor inventories regularly.

Field merchandiser vs retail merchandiser salary

Field merchandisers and retail merchandisers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field MerchandiserRetail Merchandiser
Average salary$31,495$28,678
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $40,000Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityUnion City, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyFruit of the LoomWayfair
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between field merchandiser and retail merchandiser education

There are a few differences between a field merchandiser and a retail merchandiser in terms of educational background:

Field MerchandiserRetail Merchandiser
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Field merchandiser vs retail merchandiser demographics

Here are the differences between field merchandisers' and retail merchandisers' demographics:

Field MerchandiserRetail Merchandiser
Average age4041
Gender ratioMale, 42.4% Female, 57.6%Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 7.5% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage17%7%

Differences between field merchandiser and retail merchandiser duties and responsibilities

Field merchandiser example responsibilities.

  • Diagnose production problem and work with suppliers to present alternatives to both parties to achieve KPI (key performance indicator).
  • Manage backroom/stock room inventory by organizing pallets, stacking and storing product inventory.
  • Insure proper POS placement and product merchandising of Epson printers, projectors, scanners, inks and papers.
  • Maintain proper inventory levels and ensure proper placement of POS materials.
  • Disassemble and construct wine and spirit departments for key accounts following detail product schematics.
  • Analyze click-through and conversion rates and other online KPI's utilizing Coremetrics.
  • Show more

Retail merchandiser example responsibilities.

  • Manage cleanliness and presentation of stock room and production floor.
  • Manage entire pet food recycling facility converting 9,000 tons per year from pet food to swine and poultry feed.
  • Manage backroom/stock room inventory by organizing pallets, stacking and storing product inventory.
  • Manage Nintendo's promotional programs; secure and maintain point-of-purchase displays that alert customers to brand availability.
  • Operate a pallet jack, scorpions, boats, john deers, and skates.
  • Assemble and install product displays, ex: hanging rug displays per POG.
  • Show more

Field merchandiser vs retail merchandiser skills

Common field merchandiser skills
  • Sales Floor, 26%
  • Store Management, 24%
  • Store Associates, 13%
  • Plan-O-Grams, 11%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • End Caps, 6%
Common retail merchandiser skills
  • Customer Service, 30%
  • Store Management, 16%
  • POS, 8%
  • Excellent Organizational, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Retail Store, 6%

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