What is a retail sales merchandiser and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Joseph Hancock

A retail sales merchandiser ensures correct and appealing product displays in stores. They work with store managers and buyers to plan and execute effective merchandising strategies. This can include creating displays, organizing product placement, and coordinating promotions. Retail sales merchandisers follow market trends and evaluate the competitive landscape to ensure that their store remains relevant. They also manage inventory levels, track sales, and analyze data. Retail sales merchandisers drive sales and enhance the customer experience.

What's a day at work look like for a retail sales merchandiser?

Joseph Hancock

Research Professor, Program Director, Former Retail Operations Manager, Drexel University, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

New graduates will need to be self-disciplined and self-motivated. No one is going to hold your hand and tell you "get to work" or you will soon be looking for a new job. The new world may be one where you don't go to an office, but instead work right from home, scheduling appointments and doing your own calendar. My last years working for Target in a regional field position taught me that no one was going to motivate me each day, I had to motivate myself. Also, it can be lonely working from home as a new graduate, so find outside interests and ways to make friends. I am from the old fashion ideologies that getting a hobby is extremely important, and that hobby is not going to the gym or watching television. It includes something that enriches your life to be a better person in society.

ScoreRetail Sales MerchandiserUS Average

Salary

3.1

Avg. Salary $39,721

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.5

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.49%

Asian 5.34%

Black or African American 8.50%

Hispanic or Latino 13.83%

Unknown 5.10%

White 66.75%

Gender

female 57.59%

male 42.41%

Age - 39

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 - 39

Stress level

5.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.0

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a retail sales merchandiser?

Pros

Possibility for flexible scheduling
Potential for advancement within the company
Potential for commission or bonuses based on sales performance
Opportunities for travel and working in different regions or countries
Possibility for a discount on products sold in the store

Cons

Often have to work nights, weekends, and holidays
Limited autonomy in decision-making and execution of tasks
Low pay or lack of benefits for entry-level positions
High turnover rate and potential for inconsistent scheduling or management
Exposure to theft and loss prevention measures

Key steps to become a retail sales merchandiser

Explore retail sales merchandiser education requirements

Most common retail sales merchandiser degrees

Bachelor's

54.3 %

Associate

21.4 %

High School Diploma

13.4 %

Start to develop specific retail sales merchandiser skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	18.12%
POS	17.71%
Working Independently	16.89%
Retail Sales	9.99%
Expense Reports	8.04%

Complete relevant retail sales merchandiser training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New retail sales merchandisers 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 retail sales merchandiser based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real retail sales merchandiser resumes.

Research retail sales merchandiser duties and responsibilities

Work directly with local and national retailers to negotiate sales, places orders, and manage deliveries of wine and spirits.
Manage backroom/stock room inventory by organizing pallets, stacking and storing product inventory.
Maintain cleanliness of backrooms for inventory control.
Place IRC s on product.

Prepare your retail sales merchandiser resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your retail sales merchandiser 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 retail sales merchandiser resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable retail sales merchandiser resume templates

Build a professional retail sales merchandiser 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 retail sales merchandiser resume.

Apply for retail sales merchandiser jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a retail sales merchandiser job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

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

How do retail sales merchandisers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Retail sales merchandiser reviews

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

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020