Store merchandiser vs store sales associate

The differences between store merchandisers and store sales 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 $30,284 average annual salary of a store sales associate.

The top three skills for a store merchandiser include in-store, customer satisfaction and retail store. The most important skills for a store sales associate are sales floor, POS, and product knowledge.

Store merchandiser vs store sales associate overview

	Store Merchandiser	Store Sales Associate
Yearly salary	$37,143	$30,284
Hourly rate	$17.86	$14.56
Growth rate	1%	-
Number of jobs	149,850	524,877
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	38	43
Years of experience	-	6

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 a store sales associate do?

A store sales associate is responsible for assisting store customers, directing them to the correct area of their needs, and responding to their inquiries and concerns regarding a product. Store sales associates also support the store's promotional campaigns, selling goods and services to the customers by demonstrating the product and its benefits. They keep the store premises clean and tidy to avoid any potential hazards during operations. A store sales associate must have excellent communication skills, especially on resolving customer complaints, processing replacements, and issuing refunds.

Store merchandiser vs store sales associate salary

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

	Store Merchandiser	Store Sales Associate
Average salary	$37,143	$30,284
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $55,000	Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Reno, NV	Elizabeth, NJ
Highest paying state	Oregon	New Jersey
Best paying company	The Coca-Cola Company	Rooms To Go
Best paying industry	Retail	Hospitality

Differences between store merchandiser and store sales associate education

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

	Store Merchandiser	Store Sales Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Store merchandiser vs store sales associate demographics

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

	Store Merchandiser	Store Sales Associate
Average age	38	43
Gender ratio	Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%	Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%
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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	9%

Differences between store merchandiser and store sales 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.

Store sales associate example responsibilities.

Manage to sales KPI's (including sales and expense budget numbers), assuring efficient and effective use of resources.
Earn management trust by serving as keyholder, responsibly opening and closing the store.
Audit all jewelry counts daily, banking deposit log, cashier logs, sales logs.
Utilize the company's POS system to cash customers out or administer returns to the store.
Work as a sales associate and keyholder throughout the summer and a bit of the school year.
Help customers choose jewelry, pierce ears, open and close out register, set up displays.

Store merchandiser vs store sales associate skills

Common store merchandiser skills

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

Common store sales associate skills

Sales Floor, 20%
POS, 10%
Product Knowledge, 10%
Store Sales, 8%
Customer Service, 6%
Stock Room, 5%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Store Merchandiser
Store Merchandiser vs Store Sales Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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