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In business, the main goal is this: convert prospects into paying customers.
Two of the most crucial factors that help businesses achieve this goal are Sales and Marketing. While responsible for different functions, both professionals or teams must work hand in hand.
Let’s discover how a Retail and Sales career differs from a Marketing job in terms of scope, strategies, and resources used.
Retail and Sales vs Marketing: At a Glance
| Retail and Sales | Marketing | |
| Starting Salary | $52,728 per year | $60,380 per year |
| Average Pay | $62,150 per year | $127,830 per year |
| Certification/Licensing | ● Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP) ● Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) ● Certified Sales Executive (CSE) | ●Google Ads Certifications ● Google Analytics Individual Qualification ● Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate |
| Projected Employment Growth (2022-2023) | -2% | 6% |
| Highest-Paying Employers | ● Realty and Brokerage ● Pharmaceutical ● Advertising and Marketing ● Consumer Goods ● Telecommunications | ● Digital marketing ● Healthcare ● E-commerce ● Computer Technology and Software |
All About Retail and Sales
Retail and salespeople are trained to ensure excellent customer shopping experiences, whether it be in a clothing shop or office supply store. They employ tactics to keep the sales floor organized, inform customers about certain products, and facilitate purchases and returns. They respond to inquiries and address issues as promptly and efficiently as they can.
Salespeople must, therefore, interact with customers regularly—requiring them to possess strong communication and interpersonal skills. They should also collaborate with marketers to represent the brand better.
Do you have an associate’s degree in Retail and Sales Management? This level of education tells employers you have knowledge of the basic aspects of retail. If you have earned a Bachelor’s in Retail and Sales Management, you are better positioned for a job in the industry!
Graduate-level Retail and Sales Management programs are for professionals seeking advancement. A master’s or doctorate in this field demonstrates a high level of knowledge, qualifying you for top-level executive positions in the field. It opens doors to business ownership as well!
In Retail and Sales, you can pursue these jobs based on your academic background, training, and experience:
- Sales Engineer
- Account Manager
- Account Executive
- Sales Executive
- Sales Representative
- Sales Consultant
- Sales Director
- Sales Associate
- Business Development Representative
A Retail and Sales career is for you if:
- You have prior retail and sales experience.
- You have an outgoing personality and are persuasive.
- You have great communication and interpersonal skills.
- You are knowledgeable in using point-of-sale (POS) systems.
- You are comfortable working in a team-oriented work environment.
- You don’t mind standing for extended periods.
A Retail and Sales career is not a great fit if:
- You lack social and listening skills, which could prevent you from being able to think critically and solve problems in a prompt manner.
- You believe that talking/engaging with people drains your energy.
- You are impatient and have low emotional intelligence, preventing you from empathizing with customers and understanding what they truly need and want.
All About Marketing
A Marketing team consists of market researchers, brand strategists, publicists, graphic designers, writers, and social media managers who specialize in different marketing strategies.
In reaching out to customers, clients, investors, and the community, marketers seek insights into the company’s target audience and forecast market trends.
Marketers use SEO, social media marketing, direct-mail campaigns, and influencer marketing techniques to reach a broader audience and serve relevant content to target audiences more efficiently.
Associate’s in Marketing graduates can land entry-level jobs, but a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing makes you better qualified for various positions.
A highly popular area of focus is Digital Marketing, which you can also specialize in! Professionals may be required to meet certifications and licensing requirements to further prove their expertise.
With a solid background, you can become any of the following:
- Marketing Executive
- Marketing Analyst
- Marketing Director
- SEO Specialist
- Marketing Coordinator
- Market Researcher
- Public Relations Manager
A Marketing career is for you if:
- You have a knack for collaborating and working with diverse teams.
- You are passionate about helping drive business growth.
- You have a strong marketing background to ensure you have the knowledge and skills to launch a successful career.
- You are creative and have an analytical mindset, so you can come up with effective campaigns.
- You have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- You are naturally curious, which will allow you to incessantly find out what your target audience wants from your content or product.
- You have above-average problem-solving and negotiation skills.
A Marketing career is not a great fit if:
- You don’t like change, and you want to stay away from constantly changing trends.
- You are not people-oriented and are not comfortable with dealing with people on a daily basis.
- You’re not too keen on constantly learning about new market trends and other relevant topics.
Marketing focuses on the top of the funnel, including generating leads and reaching the target audience. Sales, on the other hand, takes care of the bottom of the funnel to ensure customers go through with their purchase.
Simply put, marketing is in charge of increasing awareness and attracting the right leads—and Sales works its magic to convert those leads! A collaborative approach that involves the expertise of both functions is one of the secrets to business success.
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