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Merchandise stocker vs general merchandise clerk

The differences between merchandise stockers and general merchandise clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general merchandise clerk has an average salary of $34,415, which is higher than the $29,224 average annual salary of a merchandise stocker.

The top three skills for a merchandise stocker include pallet jack, customer service and stock shelves. The most important skills for a general merchandise clerk are product knowledge, product displays, and customer service.

Merchandise stocker vs general merchandise clerk overview

Merchandise StockerGeneral Merchandise Clerk
Yearly salary$29,224$34,415
Hourly rate$14.05$16.55
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs204,511137,799
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a merchandise stocker do?

A merchandise stocker is an employee who ensures that shelves and aisles are stocked with the merchandise in retail stores or warehouses. Merchandise stockers must receive the goods, unload or unpack them, mark them with codes to be identified, and stock them on shelves. They help customers to fill orders through mail, web, or phone while preparing the customers' merchandise for shipment. They must also operate a forklift so that they can lift or place merchandise at the assigned shelves.

What does a general merchandise clerk do?

This individual works in the GM section of a store. They interact with customers and assist them as they purchase merchandise. In this role, they are expected to place all special orders and to take stock of all products annually. Other responsibilities of this position include developing merchandise plans and ensuring they are compliant with quality standards. They may also have to evaluate merchandise and ensure credit payments are accurate.

Merchandise stocker vs general merchandise clerk salary

Merchandise stockers and general merchandise clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Merchandise StockerGeneral Merchandise Clerk
Average salary$29,224$34,415
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $35,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityTacoma, WA-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyPepsiCo-
Best paying industryRetail-

Differences between merchandise stocker and general merchandise clerk education

There are a few differences between a merchandise stocker and a general merchandise clerk in terms of educational background:

Merchandise StockerGeneral Merchandise Clerk
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Merchandise stocker vs general merchandise clerk demographics

Here are the differences between merchandise stockers' and general merchandise clerks' demographics:

Merchandise StockerGeneral Merchandise Clerk
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 67.8% Female, 32.2%Male, 50.2% Female, 49.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.8% Asian, 6.8% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 5.9% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between merchandise stocker and general merchandise clerk duties and responsibilities

Merchandise stocker example responsibilities.

  • Clean stock area and maintain cleanliness of retail area.
  • Use RF scanners to do price markdowns for monthly clearance.
  • Used RF scanners to track multiple product locations and expiration dates.
  • Perform courtesy task that includes locating items for customers and bagging groceries.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned (i.e maintain orders and cleanliness in the store and serve as cashier).
  • Greet customers while bagging their groceries, collect carts in parking lot, put away return items, general sanitation.
  • Show more

General merchandise clerk example responsibilities.

  • Provide great customer service while effectively bagging groceries.
  • Collect all carts from outside help cashiers bag groceries for customers and sometimes help the customers take groceries to their car.
  • Execute grain futures orders for special accounts that require extraordinary attention to detail as well as personalized service.
  • Work in almost every department in the Kroger store.

Merchandise stocker vs general merchandise clerk skills

Common merchandise stocker skills
  • Pallet Jack, 34%
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Stock Shelves, 18%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • Food Handling, 4%
  • Store Management, 2%
Common general merchandise clerk skills
  • Product Knowledge, 44%
  • Product Displays, 20%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Stock Shelves, 6%
  • Sales Floor, 3%
  • Math, 3%

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