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What is a merchandising representative and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
E. Duff Wrobbel Ph.D.
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Merchandising representative is an individual who typically works in retail and is responsible for assisting customers in making purchases. They also assist in stocking shelves, arranging product displays, help manage store inventory, and alert management to customer purchasing habits, likes, and dislikes.

Merchandizing representatives act as customer service representatives and assist customers if issues arise or if a customer has an issue with a purchased product. Merchandising representatives should be adept at computers and analyzing sales trends, as well as possess excellent customer service and communication skills.

Depending on the retail environment, these individuals may spend variable store hours, including weekends, and may spend most of the day on their feet. Merchandising representatives should possess excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills and be able to provide quality customer service.

Although an advanced degree is not needed to obtain a position as a merchandising representative, these individuals should have excellent verbal, basic math skills. Depending upon the store or business, a merchandising representative can make up to $29,000 per year, and there are always opportunities for advancement to management positions. This career field is expected to grow in the US by 2% by 2028.

What general advice would you give to a merchandising representative?

E. Duff Wrobbel Ph.D.

Chair, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Network, get an internship, do action research etc - anything to add practical experience to the classroom knowledge base.
ScoreMerchandising RepresentativeUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $32,303

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.1

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 5.09%

Black or African American 3.79%

Hispanic or Latino 13.95%

Unknown 3.71%

White 73.23%

Gender

female 52.80%

male 47.20%

Age - 48
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48
Stress level
7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Merchandising representative career paths

Key steps to become a merchandising representative

  1. Explore merchandising representative education requirements

    Most common merchandising representative degrees

    Bachelor's

    52.7 %

    Associate

    23.4 %

    High School Diploma

    13.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific merchandising representative skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Little Supervision24.06%
    Store Management23.22%
    Plan-O-Grams13.36%
    Customer Service9.25%
    Product Knowledge5.59%
  3. Complete relevant merchandising representative training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New merchandising representatives learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a merchandising representative based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real merchandising representative resumes.
  4. Research merchandising representative duties and responsibilities

    • Manage Nintendo's promotional programs; secure and maintain point-of-purchase displays that alert customers to brand availability.
    • Update POS promotional materials such as cardboard temporary decorative displays.
    • Coordinate and administer jewelry entries for industry awards and advertisements in national fashion magazines.
    • Assist patients with Critical/Triage calls; document necessary symptoms for medical assistants to determine what medical intervention is necessary.
  5. Prepare your merchandising representative resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your merchandising representative resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a merchandising representative resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable merchandising representative resume templates

    Build a professional merchandising representative resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your merchandising representative resume.
    Merchandising Representative Resume
    Merchandising Representative Resume
    Merchandising Representative Resume
    Merchandising Representative Resume
    Merchandising Representative Resume
    Merchandising Representative Resume
    Merchandising Representative Resume
    Merchandising Representative Resume
    Merchandising Representative Resume
  6. Apply for merchandising representative jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a merchandising representative job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first merchandising representative job

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Average merchandising representative salary

The average merchandising representative salary in the United States is $32,303 per year or $16 per hour. Merchandising representative salaries range between $25,000 and $40,000 per year.

Average merchandising representative salary
$32,303 Yearly
$15.53 hourly

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How do merchandising representatives rate their job?

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Merchandising representative reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

Product if the stock is not available the buyer not happy they will not return, I go in do the job then I move on.

Cons

Can't say anything I buy the product that sells or does not a sale makes me profit. Always liked inventory.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2022
Pros

Flexible schedule

Cons

Finding enough opportunities in my local area to sustain 32 hours.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

Working by myself and traveling

Cons

Pay is usually not that good Most of the management of these companies is a complete joke


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.