Merchandiser, sales vs store sales associate

The differences between merchandisers, sales and store sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a merchandiser, sales, becoming a store sales associate takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a merchandiser, sales has an average salary of $31,662, which is higher than the $30,284 average annual salary of a store sales associate.

The top three skills for a merchandiser, sales include excellent planning, wine and pallet jack. The most important skills for a store sales associate are sales floor, POS, and product knowledge.

Merchandiser, sales vs store sales associate overview

	Merchandiser, Sales	Store Sales Associate
Yearly salary	$31,662	$30,284
Hourly rate	$15.22	$14.56
Growth rate	4%	-
Number of jobs	248,317	524,877
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	47	43
Years of experience	4	6

What does a merchandiser, sales do?

Merchandiser sales representatives are responsible for maintaining the flow of products and managing shelves in retail stores or similar establishments. They are also responsible for devising strategies and promotional plans to increase brand awareness and boost product sales. Aside from this, they must remain updated with the latest marketing trends, monitor sales, and set the budget while maintaining inventory. Moreover, it is vital to reach out to customers and build rapport, all while implementing the policies and regulations of the company.

What does a store sales associate do?

A store sales associate is responsible for assisting store customers, directing them to the correct area of their needs, and responding to their inquiries and concerns regarding a product. Store sales associates also support the store's promotional campaigns, selling goods and services to the customers by demonstrating the product and its benefits. They keep the store premises clean and tidy to avoid any potential hazards during operations. A store sales associate must have excellent communication skills, especially on resolving customer complaints, processing replacements, and issuing refunds.

Merchandiser, sales vs store sales associate salary

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

	Merchandiser, Sales	Store Sales Associate
Average salary	$31,662	$30,284
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $41,000	Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Elizabeth, NJ
Highest paying state	Washington	New Jersey
Best paying company	Community Coffee	Rooms To Go
Best paying industry	Education	Hospitality

Differences between merchandiser, sales and store sales associate education

There are a few differences between a merchandiser, sales and a store sales associate in terms of educational background:

	Merchandiser, Sales	Store Sales Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Merchandiser, sales vs store sales associate demographics

Here are the differences between merchandisers, sales' and store sales associates' demographics:

	Merchandiser, Sales	Store Sales Associate
Average age	47	43
Gender ratio	Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0%	Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	9%

Differences between merchandiser, sales and store sales associate duties and responsibilities

Merchandiser, sales example responsibilities.

Manage backroom/stock room inventory by organizing pallets, stacking and storing product inventory.
Negotiate constantly with store managers and floor managers in order to secure POS display space and proper allocation of inventory.
Assist patients with Critical/Triage calls; document necessary symptoms for medical assistants to determine what medical intervention is necessary.
Core merchandising skills; all products in distribution and arrange in POG.
Make sure that compliance are met for client according to POG for reset, remodel or setup of new store.
Build rapport and communicate effectively with ASM management and externally with all customers.

Store sales associate example responsibilities.

Manage to sales KPI's (including sales and expense budget numbers), assuring efficient and effective use of resources.
Earn management trust by serving as keyholder, responsibly opening and closing the store.
Audit all jewelry counts daily, banking deposit log, cashier logs, sales logs.
Utilize the company's POS system to cash customers out or administer returns to the store.
Work as a sales associate and keyholder throughout the summer and a bit of the school year.
Help customers choose jewelry, pierce ears, open and close out register, set up displays.

Merchandiser, sales vs store sales associate skills

Common merchandiser, sales skills

Excellent Planning, 17%
Wine, 13%
Pallet Jack, 8%
Sales Floor, 8%
Product Displays, 7%
Cleanliness, 6%

Common store sales associate skills

Sales Floor, 20%
POS, 10%
Product Knowledge, 10%
Store Sales, 8%
Customer Service, 6%
Stock Room, 5%

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Merchandiser, Sales
Merchandiser, Sales vs Store Sales Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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