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The differences between visual merchandising managers and shop managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a visual merchandising manager and a shop manager. Additionally, a visual merchandising manager has an average salary of $97,250, which is higher than the $36,580 average annual salary of a shop manager.
The top three skills for a visual merchandising manager include customer service, POS and store operations. The most important skills for a shop manager are customer service, taking care, and work ethic.
| Visual Merchandising Manager | Shop Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $97,250 | $36,580 |
| Hourly rate | $46.75 | $17.59 |
| Growth rate | 10% | - |
| Number of jobs | 23,486 | 83,627 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A visual merchandising manager is responsible for facilitating the arrangement of visual displays to attract customers to purchase the products. Visual merchandising managers monitor the sales performance of the store and develop effective merchandise strategies to boost revenues and increase profitability. They also assist in creating promotional events and discount offers, as well as designing the store's layout during special occasions. A visual merchandising manager must have excellent leadership and communication skills, especially on guiding the staff's performance and implementing techniques to maximize productivity.
As the name entails, shop managers manage an establishment's day-to-day operations, ensuring it runs effectively and smoothly. Their responsibilities include making business strategies, developing promotional materials, and ensuring that sales teams are motivated. As the shop manager, you will also oversee the store's organizational and operational standards, undertake administrative tasks, and monitor inventory levels. The requirements to become a store manager include having a high school diploma, at least three years of work experience in the retail industry, and leadership skills.
Visual merchandising managers and shop managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Visual Merchandising Manager | Shop Manager | |
| Average salary | $97,250 | $36,580 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $139,000 | Between $25,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bridgeport, CT | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Meta | Rivian |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a visual merchandising manager and a shop manager in terms of educational background:
| Visual Merchandising Manager | Shop Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Specialized Sales And Merchandising | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi |
Here are the differences between visual merchandising managers' and shop managers' demographics:
| Visual Merchandising Manager | Shop Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |