How to hire a retail coverage merchandiser

How to hire a retail coverage merchandiser, step by step

Here's a step-by-step retail coverage merchandiser hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a retail coverage merchandiser job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new retail coverage merchandiser
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the retail coverage merchandiser you need to hire. Certain retail coverage merchandiser roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect retail coverage merchandiser also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of retail coverage merchandisers.

   Type of Retail Coverage Merchandiser	Description	Hourly rate
   Retail Coverage Merchandiser		$11-19
   Display Coordinator	A display coordinator manages and oversees the visual presentation of products and services. Despite having different responsibilities depending on their organization or industry of employment, it usually involves conducting market research and analyses, developing and implementing plans, communicating and negotiating with internal and external parties to secure supplies, and spearheading various events such as exhibits and shows... Show more	$12-33
   Retail Representative	A retail representative is in charge of assisting customers with their shopping needs in retail stores, ensuring customer satisfaction. Their responsibilities include greeting customers and identifying their needs, answering inquiries, locating products, offering promotions and recommendations, and conducting demonstrations when possible... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Retail Store
   • Customer Service
   • Retail Locations
   • Building Displays
   • Rotate Stock
   • Out-of-Stock Situations
   • Store Coverage
   • Stock Display
   • Sales Fundamentals
   • Retail Territory
   • Acosta
   • Store Assignment
   • Store Management
   • Sales Floor

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Nintendo's promotional programs; secure and maintain point-of-purchase displays that alert customers to brand availability.
   • Generate excitement for brand Nintendo products.
   • Execute, maintain and monitor all company driven initiatives and programs in assign territory including maintenance of POS.
   • Develop extensive upselling ability to keep consistently high sales numbers, which result in a promotion within the company.
   • Assemble promotional displays, using POG.
   • Build rapport and communicate effectively with ASM management and externally with all customers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your retail coverage merchandiser job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A retail coverage merchandiser can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, retail coverage merchandisers' average salary in alabama is 38% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level retail coverage merchandisers 41% less than senior-level retail coverage merchandisers.
   • Certifications. A retail coverage merchandiser with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a retail coverage merchandiser's salary.

   Average retail coverage merchandiser salary

   $15.24hourly

   $31,695 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level retail coverage merchandiser salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a retail coverage merchandiser job description

   A job description for a retail coverage merchandiser role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a retail coverage merchandiser job description:

   Retail coverage merchandiser job description example

   Our Dedicated Retail Coverage Teams represent major brands within major grocery store chains by driving product availability. Your merchandising activities will connect customers with the brands they love. Flexible schedules and no weekend work
   Learn more about the day in the life of an Acosta Merchandiser:
   
   Reward and more….
   
   We are offering competitive pay, along with retention bonuses, medical and dental benefits, paid time off, and 401(k) matching. Other rewards include discounts with General Motors, Sprint, AT&T, Microsoft, Dell, General Electric and many more. There may be opportunities for advancement for high performing team members.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   What's in store?
   
   * Cover a set territory of retailers to make store visits representing one of the world's largest CPG brands - no weekend work
   
   * Works independently to make store visits to ensure merchandising coverage goals are met
   
   * Consult with management in a timely manner, meet objectives and goals as assigned, and report store level observations related to client product and Customer needs.
   
   * Install and place promotional materials as outlined in instructions to ensure product promotions
   
   * Build displays to showcase products
   
   * Complete detailed call notes and upload photos of your completed work with Acosta's field technology on our device
   
   * Leveraging the support of and sharing best practices with our teams nationwide through closed social media groups and a variety of communication channels.
   
   Qualifications
   
   What we need from you?
   
   Do you have retail and/or merchandising experience? We are looking for self-starters that have a strong attention to detail and works well in independent situations. You must possess excellent organizational and communication skills with the ability to build relationships with teams and business partners.
   
   This job posting covers the general job duties for our Retail Coverage Merchandiser position and does not imply that these are the only tasks required. Acosta's Team will go over any questions you have regarding the above during the interview process.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer | E-Verify Employer | Pursuant to California FCO and FCIHO Acosta will consider all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records, as well as those with criminal histories.
   
   Work State US-VA-Reston
   
   
   Work City Reston
   
   PCN 244096
   
   Position Type Regular Full-Time
   
   Work Zip 20191
   
   Starting average hours per week 25-30
   
   Job Code SL79
   
   Category Field Jobs

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find retail coverage merchandisers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your retail coverage merchandiser job on Zippia to find and recruit retail coverage merchandiser candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with retail coverage merchandiser candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new retail coverage merchandiser

   Once you've decided on a perfect retail coverage merchandiser candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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