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Merchandise analyst vs marketing consultant

The differences between merchandise analysts and marketing consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a merchandise analyst and a marketing consultant. Additionally, a marketing consultant has an average salary of $70,593, which is higher than the $67,933 average annual salary of a merchandise analyst.

The top three skills for a merchandise analyst include powerpoint, SQL and data analysis. The most important skills for a marketing consultant are customer service, web content, and media sales.

Merchandise analyst vs marketing consultant overview

Merchandise AnalystMarketing Consultant
Yearly salary$67,933$70,593
Hourly rate$32.66$33.94
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs38,12788,935
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age3737
Years of experience66

What does a merchandise analyst do?

A merchandise analyst is an individual who monitors inventory levels while following and charting the profits and sales of a store or company. Merchandise analysts are required to identify appropriate industry and product categories so that they can focus on maximizing the business of each store. They must review and analyze weekly advertisement results with team members to meet their sales goals as well as identify causes of high carryover and methods for reduction. Merchandise analysts must also use data analysis to identify markets and fine-tune merchandise.

What does a marketing consultant do?

A marketing consultant is responsible for utilizing their extensive retail expertise to develop strategies on how to strengthen client base and achieve better sales. Furthermore, a marketing consultant must perform research and analysis to determine opportunities for financial gains, devise plans to improve client satisfaction, assess the competition, look out for any risks, and develop its brand and image. They should also ensure that all steps taken adhere to the policies and regulations of the organization.

Merchandise analyst vs marketing consultant salary

Merchandise analysts and marketing consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Merchandise AnalystMarketing Consultant
Average salary$67,933$70,593
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $92,000Between $44,000 And $112,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAWilmington, DE
Highest paying stateWashingtonDelaware
Best paying companyMacy'sMeta
Best paying industryRetailTechnology

Differences between merchandise analyst and marketing consultant education

There are a few differences between a merchandise analyst and a marketing consultant in terms of educational background:

Merchandise AnalystMarketing Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Merchandise analyst vs marketing consultant demographics

Here are the differences between merchandise analysts' and marketing consultants' demographics:

Merchandise AnalystMarketing Consultant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 36.6% Female, 63.4%Male, 46.0% Female, 54.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 10.7% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 10.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between merchandise analyst and marketing consultant duties and responsibilities

Merchandise analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of allocation analysts who distribute fashion jewelry to more than a thousand stores
  • Analyze and forecast sales, manage inventory levels and determine distribution strategy to all Marshalls stores.
  • Manage and maintain the OTB for specific departments by preparing forecasts, evaluating performance, and maximizing profitability while minimizing liabilities.
  • Allocate product to the appropriate stores using JDA system.
  • Analyze and allocate for women's intimate apparel, and accessories.
  • Analyze historical POS to create seasonal profiles for all items, allowing the system to more efficiently predict seasonal trends.
  • Show more

Marketing consultant example responsibilities.

  • Contact inbound leads using HubSpot.
  • Design, deploy and manage end-to-end marketing automate solutions (Pardot and Hubspot).
  • Work with a B2C transportation provider to manage the day-to-day tasks for web advertising campaigns.
  • Set and achieve target sales goals by utilizing sales strategies and CRM tools such as cold calling and Pardot.
  • Lead an international team of marketing professionals and graphic designers in a complete rebranding of client's website and marketing materials.
  • Manage online affiliate marketing tactics utilizing blogs and PPC campaigns
  • Show more

Merchandise analyst vs marketing consultant skills

Common merchandise analyst skills
  • PowerPoint, 14%
  • SQL, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Digital Marketing, 5%
  • Gross Profit, 5%
  • Logistics, 4%
Common marketing consultant skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Web Content, 10%
  • Media Sales, 10%
  • Digital Marketing, 8%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 6%
  • Salesforce Marketing Cloud, 4%

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