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The differences between merchandise leads 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 lead and a sales lead/sales associate. Additionally, a merchandise lead has an average salary of $35,572, which is higher than the $31,954 average annual salary of a sales lead/sales associate.
The top three skills for a merchandise lead include sales floor, customer service and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for a sales lead/sales associate are POS, cash control, and customer service.
| Merchandise Lead | Sales Lead/Sales Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $35,572 | $31,954 |
| Hourly rate | $17.10 | $15.36 |
| Growth rate | 6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 72,605 | 882,220 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A merchandise lead is responsible for strategizing merchandise methods to reach sales performance targets. Merchandise leads assist the consumers in choosing the best products according to their needs and budget limitations. They evaluate the current market trends to generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profitability by negotiating with trusted suppliers and vendors. A merchandise lead must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in helping with marketing and promotional campaigns to attract consumers' interests and meet public demands.
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 leads and sales lead/sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Lead | Sales Lead/Sales Associate | |
| Average salary | $35,572 | $31,954 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $45,000 | Between $17,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Green Bay, WI | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New York |
| Best paying company | PepsiCo | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a merchandise lead and a sales lead/sales associate in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Lead | Sales Lead/Sales Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi |
Here are the differences between merchandise leads' and sales lead/sales associates' demographics:
| Merchandise Lead | Sales Lead/Sales Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.5% Female, 57.5% | Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.0% 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% |