The retail sector is the second biggest employer in the UK after the National Health Service, so jobs as a sales assistant are plentiful. This work can be seasonal though, with big retail chains taking on far more people in the run-up to Christmas than normally work on the shop floor. Here’s our retail assistant job description to help you find out if this is the right job for you.

Retail sales jobs – from sales assistant to store manager to regional sales manager – take place within retail outlets to make sure that customers have the best experience possible while shopping. The duties often vary quite a lot, but generally, this sales job requires the assistant to advise customers, assist with product information, take payments and keep the shop floor fully stocked. In some areas of retail there is more ‘selling’ involved than in others. For instance, highly skilled sales people are needed for the sale of electrical goods, furniture, luxury clothing and jewellery. Often sales assistants in these types of stores are on commission or are working towards a sales target in order for the store to get a bonus.

 

Retail Assistant Job Description

Sales assistant responsibilities

Sales assistants are expected to:
•    Tend to the needs of customers
•    Provide information (and sometimes technical advice) on stocked products and their features
•    Assist customers in finding what they are looking for in store
•    Upsell and cross-sell in order to boost profits for the company
•    Tell customers about promotions
•    Ensure that stock is replenished
•    Keep order in the shop and look out for shoplifters
•    Sell products and meet sales targets

 

Shop assistant jobs – working conditions

The hours for this sort of sales job are different depending on the type of retailer you work for. Most high street shops have a working day of 8.30am to 5pm, with supermarkets and other sorts of shop having shifts during the day and night. Most sales assistant jobs entail long hours standing and walking around the floor.

 

Qualifications and skills

Although there is no strict requirement as to the qualifications needed to enter a sales job like this, GCSEs in English and Maths help. Skills expected include:
•    Teamwork
•    Flexibility
•    Being friendly
•    Working under pressure
•    Confidence
•    Stamina

 

Salary

Sales assistant jobs usually start at about £14,000 to £18,000 a year. With experience and managerial positions can earn at least £30,000. Managers of large supermarkets or flagship fashion stores can earn even higher salaries.

Flexible Working

What are your views?

[simplyjobs site_url=”https://www.simplysalesjobs.co.uk/” placement=”post” site_name=”Simply Sales Jobs” username=”SEO_TEAM” password=”fmgseo” feed_identifier=”blog_retail_sales” category=”Retail Sales jobs”][/simplyjobs]

What is a virtual job fair? An interview with Dave Capper

What is a virtual job fair? An interview with Dave Capper

  We recently caught up with Managing Director of the Sales, Marketing & Hospitality Job Fair, Dave Capper, to see why he thinks you need to start your job search at our virtual job fair. Here’s what he had to say…   First things first, what is a virtual...

7 mistakes you need to remove from your CV right now

7 mistakes you need to remove from your CV right now

If you’ve ever sent out your CV feeling confident, but then hear nothing back from the recruiter, there’s a good chance that you’re making one of these 7 killer CV mistakes: Wasting space on contact detailsYes, recruiters need to know how to contact you,...

How to become a sales manager

How to become a sales manager

Sales managers can earn a lucrative salary and benefit from high commission, as well as bringing about the added responsibility of managing and motivating a team. What does a sales manager do?Managing a sales team is a varied role and general duties can...