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Store manager and buyer vs merchandise planner

The differences between store managers and buyer and merchandise planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a store manager and buyer and a merchandise planner. Additionally, a merchandise planner has an average salary of $69,460, which is higher than the $68,964 average annual salary of a store manager and buyer.

The top three skills for a store manager and buyer include customer service, product knowledge and payroll. The most important skills for a merchandise planner are gross margin, strong analytical, and math.

Store manager and buyer vs merchandise planner overview

Store Manager And BuyerMerchandise Planner
Yearly salary$68,964$69,460
Hourly rate$33.16$33.39
Growth rate6%19%
Number of jobs154,67732,301
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a store manager and buyer do?

A store manager is responsible for selecting and purchasing goods. They provide information on products, including prices and promotions. They are responsible for providing recommendations to clients, handling customer requires, and solving any issues. They also monitor sales.

What does a merchandise planner do?

A merchandise planner is responsible for monitoring the adequacy of stock inventories and requesting purchase orders by researching current market trends to meet customer demands. Merchandise planners assist with marketing campaigns and promotional offers of the business, selling goods and services to the customers based on their needs and budget requirements. They also write sales reports, inspect the validity of merchandise, and maintain an attractive visual display of items. A merchandise planner resolves and escalates customer complaints timely, processes replacements, and issues refunds as needed.

Store manager and buyer vs merchandise planner salary

Store managers and buyer and merchandise planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Store Manager And BuyerMerchandise Planner
Average salary$68,964$69,460
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $110,000Between $46,000 And $102,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Pandora
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between store manager and buyer and merchandise planner education

There are a few differences between a store manager and buyer and a merchandise planner in terms of educational background:

Store Manager And BuyerMerchandise Planner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of AkronUniversity of Pennsylvania

Store manager and buyer vs merchandise planner demographics

Here are the differences between store managers and buyer' and merchandise planners' demographics:

Store Manager And BuyerMerchandise Planner
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 41.0% Female, 59.0%Male, 37.1% Female, 62.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 6.1% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between store manager and buyer and merchandise planner duties and responsibilities

Store manager and buyer example responsibilities.

  • Manage Instagram and Facebook page of the company.
  • Utilize QuickBooks software to manage inventory, sales orders, purchase orders, point of sale, etc.
  • Ensure maintenance of store including cleanliness and overall aesthetics and manage the load process and backroom activities/organization.
  • Maintain store operations by refreshing store visuals and inserting products into the POS system.
  • Create comprehensive social media campaigns that boost the company's presence through multiple outlets such as Instagram, Facebook and email.
  • Select and purchase appropriate seasonal ready-to-wear fashion merchandise from national and international clothing manufacturers for boutique retail sales.
  • Show more

Merchandise planner example responsibilities.

  • Monitor and analyze planned assortments by door in order to achieve plan turn goals and ROI.
  • Manage purchase order logs to ensure plan receipts and IMU requirements are maintained in the department.
  • Complete training on the JDA planning and forecasting system to effectively manage the financial aspects of each department.
  • Implement and manage the E3 auto-replenishment system to optimize inventory levels of width-size shoes, core shoes and shoe accessories.
  • Manage product flow in apparel category; determining order quantities and generating purchase orders for new and replenishment orders.
  • Manage and maintain the OTB for specific departments by preparing forecasts, evaluating performance, and maximizing profitability while minimizing liabilities.
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Store manager and buyer vs merchandise planner skills

Common store manager and buyer skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Product Knowledge, 7%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Market Trends, 5%
  • Inventory Control, 5%
  • Trade Shows, 4%
Common merchandise planner skills
  • Gross Margin, 8%
  • Strong Analytical, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Historical Data, 7%
  • Open-To-Buy, 6%
  • Apparel, 6%

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