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The differences between merchandise coordinators and sales lead/sales associates 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 coordinator and a sales lead/sales associate. Additionally, a merchandise coordinator has an average salary of $36,658, which is higher than the $31,954 average annual salary of a sales lead/sales associate.
The top three skills for a merchandise coordinator include cleanliness, sales floor and merchandise presentation. The most important skills for a sales lead/sales associate are POS, cash control, and customer service.
| Merchandise Coordinator | Sales Lead/Sales Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $36,658 | $31,954 |
| Hourly rate | $17.62 | $15.36 |
| Growth rate | 10% | - |
| Number of jobs | 23,637 | 882,220 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A merchandise coordinator is responsible for monitoring the adequacy of supply inventory, creating purchase requests, and confirming the proper labeling of products. Merchandise coordinators assist with the creative arrangement of product displays, moving merchandise to the appropriate store section, informing the customers of the promotional products and discount offers, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns, evaluating feature products' sales reports, and resolving customer complaints. A merchandise coordinator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, following store procedures and safety regulations at all times during the operational shift.
Sales lead and sales associates are two different sales positions in the retail industry. A sales lead is in charge of supervising the sales department. Sales leads perform administrative duties like recruiting and training staff, monitoring inventories, and maintaining sales performance. On the other hand, sales associates guide potential customers to acquire the products or services that fit their needs. The associates notify clients of sales promotions then present to them the product or service. Employees for these positions are looking for candidates with relevant experience in sales and related degrees like marketing and sales.
Merchandise coordinators and sales lead/sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Coordinator | Sales Lead/Sales Associate | |
| Average salary | $36,658 | $31,954 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $17,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | North Kingstown, RI | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New York |
| Best paying company | New Era Cap | |
| Best paying industry | Media | Retail |
There are a few differences between a merchandise coordinator and a sales lead/sales associate in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Coordinator | Sales Lead/Sales Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi |
Here are the differences between merchandise coordinators' and sales lead/sales associates' demographics:
| Merchandise Coordinator | Sales Lead/Sales Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.6% Female, 72.4% | Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |