Post job

Merchandiser vs grocery associate

The differences between merchandisers and grocery associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a grocery associate has an average salary of $35,040, which is higher than the $31,051 average annual salary of a merchandiser.

The top three skills for a merchandiser include customer service, PET and pallets. The most important skills for a grocery associate are frozen food, general merchandise, and truck deliveries.

Merchandiser vs grocery associate overview

MerchandiserGrocery Associate
Yearly salary$31,051$35,040
Hourly rate$14.93$16.85
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs109,447202,439
Job satisfaction4.4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a merchandiser do?

Merchandisers are employees working for a retail company. Merchandisers are mainly responsible for the store's products. They curate products that are in line with the store's branding. Merchandisers create purchase requisitions and, upon receipt of the products, create displays that would attract the customers. They also ensure that the inventory of the store is well-stocked. Merchandisers should be up to date with current market trends. They should also be familiar with what customers need and want. It is important for merchandisers to know their company's branding by heart. Merchandisers should be able to create good relationships with vendors as well so that their store may be chosen for special promotions.

What does a grocery associate do?

Grocery Associates are responsible for assisting with maintaining operations and providing customer service of a grocery store. Their duties include greeting customers, providing product suggestions, conduct product stocking and rotation, assisting with vendor merchandising, and unloading products from trucks. They are also responsible for operating equipment in departments, reporting illegal activities to management, and bagging groceries. Grocery Associates ensure the displays and aisles are clean while assisting customers with product finding and giving directions.

Merchandiser vs grocery associate salary

Merchandisers and grocery associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

MerchandiserGrocery Associate
Average salary$31,051$35,040
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyMicrosoft-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between merchandiser and grocery associate education

There are a few differences between a merchandiser and a grocery associate in terms of educational background:

MerchandiserGrocery Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Merchandiser vs grocery associate demographics

Here are the differences between merchandisers' and grocery associates' demographics:

MerchandiserGrocery Associate
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 58.0% Female, 42.0%Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 6.6% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between merchandiser and grocery associate duties and responsibilities

Merchandiser example responsibilities.

  • Consult customers on Scotts products and educate them concerning the advantage and benefits over competitive products.
  • Manage jewelry stock and inventory balances accurately.
  • Manage backroom/stock room inventory by organizing pallets, stacking and storing product inventory.
  • Google Adwords, SEO, etc.
  • Carry items up and down ladders.
  • Climb and work on ladders frequently.
  • Show more

Grocery associate example responsibilities.

  • Receive payment via cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards and WIC.
  • Generate ideas: better organization in back room, labeling u-boats with dates, sales, etc.
  • Unload and secure receive products in the appropriate refrigerate storage areas using power, hand jack, carts or u-boats.
  • Maintain department cleanliness, and provide premier customer service.
  • Employ at Meijer's as a (GMC).
  • Stock and rotate product (FIFO )
  • Show more

Merchandiser vs grocery associate skills

Common merchandiser skills
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • PET, 8%
  • Pallets, 5%
  • Back Room, 5%
  • POS, 5%
  • Sales Floor, 4%
Common grocery associate skills
  • Frozen Food, 38%
  • General Merchandise, 14%
  • Truck Deliveries, 14%
  • Front End, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 4%
  • Grocery Store, 4%

Browse office and administrative jobs