Retail Salesperson

Your Fit

Income

$35K

Preparation

Some

Growth

-2.1%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Retail Salesperson?

A Retail Salesperson assists customers in finding and purchasing products in a retail setting. They provide customer service, product knowledge, and sales assistance to enhance the shopping experience.

Sample job titles:

Sales Associate, Sales Clerk, Sales Consultant, Sales Person

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Retail Salesperson.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Retail Salesperson earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$26K per year	$29K per year	$35K per year	$38K per year	$48K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $15K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Retail Salesperson do?

Work environment

Retail Salespersons typically work in stores ranging from small, specialty shops to large department stores or supermarkets. The environment is customer-focused and often requires working on weekends, evenings, and holidays, especially during peak shopping seasons.

Quick task list

Greets customers and offers assistance.
Answers questions about products and makes recommendations.
Processes customer transactions at the checkout.
Restocks shelves and maintains the presentation of the store.
Handles product returns and customer complaints.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Fashion Retail Sales: Specializing in clothing and accessories, often requiring knowledge of current fashion trends.
Electronics Sales: Focusing on consumer electronics, requiring technical knowledge of products.
Furniture Sales: Involving detailed knowledge of furniture products and interior design.
Automotive Parts Sales: Specializing in selling automotive parts and accessories, requiring specific knowledge of vehicles.
Luxury Goods Sales: Handling high-end products like jewelry or designer brands, often requiring knowledge of luxury market trends.

Description

Retail Salespersons play a vital role in the retail industry, serving as the face of the store and the direct point of contact for customers. They need to have a good understanding of the products they sell to provide accurate information and help customers make informed decisions. Being friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable are key traits, as they enhance customer satisfaction and potentially drive sales.

Communication skills are crucial, as retail salespersons must effectively interact with a diverse range of customers daily. They should also possess basic math skills for handling cash transactions and be able to operate point of sale systems. Additionally, staying informed about product features, inventory, and store promotions is essential.

The role can be fast-paced and demanding, especially during busy shopping periods. Flexibility and adaptability are important, as salespersons might be required to handle various tasks such as stocking, cleaning, and rearranging store layouts. Despite the challenges, the role can be rewarding for those who enjoy interacting with people and have a passion for sales and customer service.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Interacting with different customers and providing helpful service.
The satisfaction of meeting or exceeding sales targets.
Learning about new products and trends in the retail industry.

You might make a good Retail Salesperson if you are...

An excellent communicator who enjoys interacting with people.
Interested in sales and knowledgeable about certain products or industries.
Enthusiastic and friendly, with a customer-focused approach.
Able to handle multitasking and work in a dynamic environment.
Detail-oriented, especially in processing transactions and managing inventory.

Pros:

Opportunities to interact with a variety of people.
Potential for flexible schedules, suitable for part-time or seasonal work.
Can be a gateway to further opportunities in retail management or buying.

Cons:

Often requires working on weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Can involve standing for long periods and dealing with difficult customers.
Pay may be lower compared to other occupations, with reliance on commissions in some roles.

How to become a Retail Salesperson

Typical education

The position usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Some positions, especially those involving high-end merchandise, might require additional training or knowledge specific to the product being sold.

High school preparation

Courses:

Business and Mathematics for basic sales and transaction skills.
Communication classes to enhance customer interaction abilities.
Psychology to understand consumer behavior and effective sales techniques.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participation in clubs or societies with a focus on business or entrepreneurship.
Part-time or summer jobs in retail to gain practical experience.
Volunteering in community events to develop interpersonal skills.

Preparation after high school

Short courses or workshops in sales techniques, customer service, or specific product knowledge.
Retail certification programs, which can be found through various retail organizations.
On-the-job training and experience in different retail environments.

More resources

National Retail Federation (NRF) - Provides resources and training for retail workers.
Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) - Offers insights into retail operations and trends.
The Retail Sales Academy - Offers training programs specifically for retail sales.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Retail Sales Workers - Offers detailed information on the role, including duties, pay, and job outlook.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.