Retail Salespersons
What is a Retail Salesperson?
Retail Salespersons are professionals who engage directly with customers in retail settings to facilitate the purchase of goods and services. They play a crucial role in enhancing the shopping experience by providing assistance, answering questions, and ensuring that customers are satisfied with their purchases. Retail Salespersons are often found in various establishments such as clothing stores, department stores, electronics shops, and supermarkets. Their responsibilities typically include greeting customers, offering product information, recommending items, processing transactions, and handling returns. Effective communication, interpersonal skills, and product knowledge are essential for success in this career, as these individuals strive to create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages sales and fosters customer loyalty.
Tasks
- Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
- Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
- Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
Technology Skills
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Data base user interface and query software
- Database software
- Claris FileMaker
- Gift registry software
- Microsoft Access 365
- Word processing software
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Point of sale POS software
- iQmetrix RQ
- Plexis Software Plexis POS
- The General Store
- TokenWorks Magnetic Card Reader
- Graphics or photo imaging software
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Operating system software
- macOS Sonoma
- Handheld computer device software
- Windows 11
Tools Used
- Electronic funds transfer point of sale equipment
- Point of sale payment terminal
- Ticket dispensing machines
- Bar code reader equipment
- Domestic sewing machines
Knowledge
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Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Skills
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Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Abilities
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Less than high school diploma
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Associate's degree
Work Activities
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Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Detailed Work Activities
- Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.
- Greet customers, patrons, or visitors.
- Recommend products or services to customers.
- Maintain records of sales or other business transactions.
- Process sales or other transactions.
Work Interests
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Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$23740.0 - $48110.0
This career will have large numbers of openings.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.