Store merchandiser vs inventory associate

The differences between store merchandisers and inventory associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a store merchandiser has an average salary of $37,143, which is higher than the $30,067 average annual salary of an inventory associate.

The top three skills for a store merchandiser include in-store, customer satisfaction and retail store. The most important skills for an inventory associate are ladders, strong work ethic, and work ethic.

Store merchandiser vs inventory associate overview

	Store Merchandiser	Inventory Associate
Yearly salary	$37,143	$30,067
Hourly rate	$17.86	$14.46
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	149,850	184,462
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	-	-

What does a store merchandiser do?

A store merchandiser must maximize profitability. They are responsible for studying sales trends and controlling the stock level in their store. They study their store's target demographics. They make financial presentations for their store's manager. If any production problem arises, they must quickly solve it. They negotiate stock quantities, and they supervise and train junior staff.

What does an inventory associate do?

An inventory associate is responsible for monitoring inventory supplies, ensuring that the supplies are adequate for customers' orders and business' needs. Inventory associates manage order sheets and record inventory reports, check items for possible defects, prepare merchandise for shipment, inspect delivered inventory supplies and return damaged items, organize shelves, and operate basic warehouse equipment. An inventory associate must have strong analytical and data entry skills to input inventory records in the system efficiently and accurately.

Store merchandiser vs inventory associate salary

Store merchandisers and inventory associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Store Merchandiser	Inventory Associate
Average salary	$37,143	$30,067
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $55,000	Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Reno, NV	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Oregon	Washington
Best paying company	The Coca-Cola Company	Phillips 66
Best paying industry	Retail	Technology

Differences between store merchandiser and inventory associate education

There are a few differences between a store merchandiser and an inventory associate in terms of educational background:

	Store Merchandiser	Inventory Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Store merchandiser vs inventory associate demographics

Here are the differences between store merchandisers' and inventory associates' demographics:

	Store Merchandiser	Inventory Associate
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%	Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.1% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between store merchandiser and inventory associate duties and responsibilities

Store merchandiser example responsibilities.

Manage entire pet food recycling facility converting 9,000 tons per year from pet food to swine and poultry feed.
Maintain database of stores, displays, soda units and pallets with PeopleSoft
Service area stores with beverage product, unload pallets, distribute merchandise, remove expire merchandise.
Ring up customers using a standard POS system and promote the purchase of the store credit card to all shoppers.
Communicate internally to ASM management and externally with customers regarding project status and completion.
Organize and conduct Macys luggage seminars and bridal events.

Inventory associate example responsibilities.

Manage the ordering of shipping supplies through FedEx's web ordering system.
Train any associate interest in POS system in order to help them achieve their goals.
Count products in warehouse; preform quality checks on packages being ship out; operate RF gun; update computer system
Research product (WMS) system to conduct quality control locations.
Clean store, bag groceries, and assist customers with general needs.
Assist customers with bagging groceries and assisting them with lifting and carrying groceries.

Store merchandiser vs inventory associate skills

Common store merchandiser skills

In-Store, 15%
Customer Satisfaction, 11%
Retail Store, 10%
Cleanliness, 9%
Basic Math, 7%
Product Promotions, 4%

Common inventory associate skills

Ladders, 31%
Strong Work Ethic, 27%
Work Ethic, 27%
WIS, 3%
Inventory Counts, 3%
Customer Service, 2%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Store Merchandiser
Store Merchandiser vs Inventory Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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