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How to hire a retail sales merchandiser

Retail sales merchandiser hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring retail sales merchandisers in the United States:

  • There are currently 25,832 retail sales merchandisers in the US, as well as 155,213 job openings.
  • Retail sales merchandisers are in the highest demand in Phoenix, AZ, with 8 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a retail sales merchandiser is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new retail sales merchandiser to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a retail sales merchandiser, step by step

To hire a retail sales merchandiser, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a retail sales merchandiser:

Here's a step-by-step retail sales 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 sales merchandiser job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new retail sales merchandiser
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a retail sales merchandiser, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a retail sales merchandiser to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a retail sales merchandiser that fits the bill.

    Here's a comparison of retail sales merchandiser salaries for various roles:

    Type of Retail Sales MerchandiserDescriptionHourly rate
    Retail Sales Merchandiser$9-37
    Display CoordinatorA 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
    Merchandising InternshipIn a merchandising internship, an intern's duties will depend on the directives of a supervising staff or manager. Their tasks may involve preparing and processing documents, organizing and disseminating files within the company, answering calls and correspondence, running errands, and participating in creating marketing strategies... Show more$12-22
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • POS
    • Working Independently
    • Retail Sales
    • Expense Reports
    • Client Products
    • Customer Relations
    • SKUs
    • RSM
    • Client Objectives
    • Retail Accounts
    • Excellent Organizational
    • Store Management
    • Timely Paperwork
    Check all skills
    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.
    • Work on company tablet answering queries from the clients Acosta represents.
    • Team with Wal-Mart personnel to provide retail support for Acosta's client companies and products.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your retail sales merchandiser job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A retail sales merchandiser salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, retail sales merchandisers' average salary in hawaii is 43% less than in california.
    • Seniority. Entry-level retail sales merchandisers earn 76% less than senior-level retail sales merchandisers.
    • Certifications. A retail sales merchandiser with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a retail sales merchandiser's salary.

    Average retail sales merchandiser salary

    $39,721yearly

    $19.10 hourly rate

    Entry-level retail sales merchandiser salary
    $19,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 27, 2025
  4. Writing a retail sales merchandiser job description

    A retail sales merchandiser job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a retail sales merchandiser job description:

    Retail sales merchandiser job description example

    * Travel up to 20%

    * Must maintain current and valid driver’s license and valid proof of current insurance

    Field / Administrative Requirements

    Incumbents must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work may be performed in an office, field, retail store, or warehouse environment. Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each workday doing the following activities: engage in considerable physical activity, ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds, stand on feet for long periods of time, use products or cook food as appropriate for the demonstration, and may be required to work in extremely cold conditions (i.e. refrigerated and freezer sections). Also required to travel and drive. The use of proper safety practices when handling the products and/or cooking is essential. A detailed Environmental and Physical Requirements document is available in the Total Rewards department.

    Additional Information Regarding Advantage Solutions Job Duties and Job Descriptions

    Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. Advantage Solutions reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. Advantage Solutions shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

    Any estimate, schedule, or guideline provided to associates in this job description or elsewhere in connection with their jobs is only intended to help describe job duties and for planning purposes. Regardless of any such estimate, schedule, or guideline, associates must always record all time worked for our company (which includes but is not limited to on-site work time in an assigned store, office, or other work location; required waiting time; administrative time; and work-related travel time).

    Important Information

    The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of associates so classified.

    Are you passionate about Service Excellence, Results, Integrity, Entrepreneurial Focus and Leadership: These are our values at Advantage Solutions. Come learn why “Winning Together” is more than just words on a piece of paper. It is the vision by which we live our mission as an organization: "To create outstanding value for clients and customers through superior sales execution, operational excellence, and innovative marketing services."

    Advantage Solutions is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, Advantage Solutions shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

    Advantage Solutions will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring (Ban the Box) Ordinance. All of our positions require the satisfactory completion of a background check. Please be aware that acknowledging or having criminal convictions does not constitute an automatic bar to employment. Factors including, but not limited to age and time of the offense, seriousness, and nature of the violation, and rehabilitation will be taken into account.

    Company DescriptionAdvantage operates multiple continuity retail teams in addition to a vertical project and surge team. The continuity teams drive incremental sales and brand visibility through effective in-store selling and by executing the fundamentals of merchandising with tablet technology. Meanwhile, our project and surge team members are always ready to respond to special projects and in-store execution needs with minimum lead times.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find retail sales 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 sales merchandiser job on Zippia to find and recruit retail sales 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

    During your first interview to recruit retail sales merchandisers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    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 sales merchandiser

    Once you have selected a candidate for the retail sales merchandiser position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    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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How much does it cost to hire a retail sales merchandiser?

Before you start to hire retail sales merchandisers, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire retail sales merchandisers pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $39,721 per year for a retail sales merchandiser, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for retail sales merchandisers in the US typically range between $9 and $37 an hour.

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