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Store manager and buyer vs merchandising manager

The differences between store managers and buyer and merchandising managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a store manager and buyer, becoming a merchandising manager takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a merchandising manager has an average salary of $86,346, 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 merchandising manager are sales floor, POS, and apparel.

Store manager and buyer vs merchandising manager overview

Store Manager And BuyerMerchandising Manager
Yearly salary$68,964$86,346
Hourly rate$33.16$41.51
Growth rate6%10%
Number of jobs154,677268,577
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4439
Years of experience410

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 merchandising manager do?

A merchandising manager is responsible for supervising stock inventories, retail pricing, and managing product displays by analyzing customer preferences through researching the current market trends that would improve the store's sales condition and achieve profitability goals. Merchandising managers negotiate with reliable third-party vendors, minimizing costs without compromising the quality of the products. They also assist with planning floor layouts for store visuals that would attract customers and marketing promotional offers and special discounts to increase more revenues.

Store manager and buyer vs merchandising manager salary

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

Store Manager And BuyerMerchandising Manager
Average salary$68,964$86,346
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $110,000Between $64,000 And $116,000
Highest paying City-Woonsocket, RI
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-Roku
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between store manager and buyer and merchandising manager education

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

Store Manager And BuyerMerchandising Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of AkronUniversity of Georgia

Store manager and buyer vs merchandising manager demographics

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

Store Manager And BuyerMerchandising Manager
Average age4439
Gender ratioMale, 41.0% Female, 59.0%Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3%
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, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage9%10%

Differences between store manager and buyer and merchandising manager 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

Merchandising manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and plan ROI, CPC and bid management on external online shopping sites.
  • Manage hardware, plumbing, kitchen and bath, kitchen design, and night operations.
  • Create all marketing materials (paper/media), organize logistics of readings, manage financials.
  • Manage merchandising for lumber, building materials, paint, hardware, plumbing, electrical, and the garden department.
  • Lead website development committee, including RFP development, ROI analysis, marketing, brand-enhancement strategies, and back-end integration solutions.
  • Manage creative development and production of indirect channel POS fixtures creating brand consistency
  • Show more

Store manager and buyer vs merchandising manager 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 merchandising manager skills
  • Sales Floor, 10%
  • POS, 9%
  • Apparel, 7%
  • Pallets, 6%
  • Merchandise Presentation, 5%
  • Drive Sales, 5%

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