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Product merchandiser vs sales/stock associate

The differences between product merchandisers and sales/stock associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a product merchandiser has an average salary of $31,071, which is higher than the $30,494 average annual salary of a sales/stock associate.

The top three skills for a product merchandiser include PET, brand awareness and product line. The most important skills for a sales/stock associate are kids, store locations, and store shelves.

Product merchandiser vs sales/stock associate overview

Product MerchandiserSales/Stock Associate
Yearly salary$31,071$30,494
Hourly rate$14.94$14.66
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs122,502401,752
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a product merchandiser do?

Product merchandiser positions require individuals with skills in product knowledge, quality and customer focus, organization, client relationships, promotions, and attention to detail. The job involves taking responsibility for the appearance of products in different stores in order to promote specific products and increase sales.

What does a sales/stock associate do?

Sales/stock associates or stock clerks receive shipments or goods to a store and prepare them for marketing. Their job involves checking the accuracy of the shipment, stocking items in the warehouse, and maintaining the store inventory. They are the ones who locate the misplaced stocks or relocate them anywhere. Among their minor duties are shelve arrangement, facility cleanup, and correspondence handling. Also, they help assist the unloading of the shipments to factor, warehouse, or store.

Product merchandiser vs sales/stock associate salary

Product merchandisers and sales/stock associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Product MerchandiserSales/Stock Associate
Average salary$31,071$30,494
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityEugene, OR-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyAmazon-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between product merchandiser and sales/stock associate education

There are a few differences between a product merchandiser and a sales/stock associate in terms of educational background:

Product MerchandiserSales/Stock Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Product merchandiser vs sales/stock associate demographics

Here are the differences between product merchandisers' and sales/stock associates' demographics:

Product MerchandiserSales/Stock Associate
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 57.9% Female, 42.1%Male, 65.8% Female, 34.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between product merchandiser and sales/stock associate duties and responsibilities

Product merchandiser example responsibilities.

  • Implement plan-o-grams, point of purchase material and achieve on shelf product merchandising objectives.
  • Diagnose production problem and work with suppliers to present alternatives to both parties to achieve KPI (key performance indicator).
  • Help to sell new products, install POS material and build displays.
  • Assist the stores with products and displays, checking out of codes and help with plan-o-grams.
  • Provide national pet supply stores with merchandizing support, including inventory, product resets, distributing product information, magazine stock management
  • Organize and conduct Macys luggage seminars and bridal events.

Sales/stock associate example responsibilities.

  • Supervise women's department, manage jewelry department, assist customers on finalizing purchases
  • Stock shelves with books using RF technology.
  • Scan inventory into system using a RF scanner.
  • Can operate a POS system cash register and count the money to ensure the correct amount.
  • Used in-house POS to ring up purchases in-store and by phone as well as to search national inventory database.
  • Maintain cleanliness according to regulate standards throughout the facilities, both inside and outside per organizations regulations.
  • Show more

Product merchandiser vs sales/stock associate skills

Common product merchandiser skills
  • PET, 37%
  • Brand Awareness, 15%
  • Product Line, 13%
  • Retail Store, 13%
  • Pallets, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 5%
Common sales/stock associate skills
  • Kids, 40%
  • Store Locations, 20%
  • Store Shelves, 7%
  • Stock Room, 6%
  • Stock Shelves, 3%
  • Product Knowledge, 3%

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