Retail Salesperson

Retail salespersons work in many different types of retail establishments assisting customers with the selection and purchase of merchandise. In specialty stores, they sell or rent merchandise ranging from books, food and clothing to major appliances, stereos and automobiles. In large department stores, they usually work in specific departments. In smaller owner managed stores, salespersons are responsible for serving customers in all areas of the store. Their primary responsibilities are to:

• be familiar with the products in their store
• sell merchandise
• ensure customer satisfaction.

Duties and responsibilities vary depending on the types of merchandise they sell but, in general, salespersons:

• greet customers and help them identify their needs (for example, size of shoe they need)
• demonstrate, fit or measure merchandise for customers
• promote products such as credit card services
• advise customers on the use and care of merchandise
• answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise
• process payments (cash, cheques, direct debit and credit cards) and provide sales receipts
• assist customers with returns and exchanges of merchandise
• wrap customer purchases or arrange for delivery
• estimate or quote prices, credit terms, trade-in allowances and warranties
• check and order stock
• stock shelves and maintain display areas.

Salespersons must be aware of the store's current sales promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices. They may be required to develop new markets by soliciting new business when they are not busy serving customers.

Salespersons often are solely responsible for the contents of the cash register and, at the end of their shift, may:

• count money in the cash register
• separate charge slips, coupons and exchange vouchers
• make deposits at a cash office or financial institution.

Salespersons usually work indoors in pleasant surroundings, often in shopping malls. They must stand or walk for long periods of time and routinely may be required to lift items weighing up to 10 kilograms. Having to meet sales targets, sometimes sales per hour targets, can be stressful. 

Many salespersons work part time shifts. Evening, weekend and holiday work is common. Some salespersons are required to wear uniforms and most wear identification pins.

Retail salespersons need the following characteristics:

• a neat, well groomed appearance
• the ability to calculate prices quickly and accurately
• an awareness of current fashion trends and customer tastes
• the ability to remain courteous, patient and tactful when dealing with difficult customers
• the ability to work under pressure.

They should enjoy having clear rules and organized methods for their work, persuading people to buy or rent merchandise, and handling merchandise.

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Many salespersons are employed on a part time basis.

Advancement is based on experience and job performance. Experienced salespersons may move to busier stores, supervisory or management positions, or support departments such as staff training or customer relations. With additional education and training, they may move into related occupations such as purchaser, human resources officer, real estate agent or insurance agent.

There are more opportunities for advancement in large department stores or in retail chains or multi-store operations. Those in smaller stores may have to change employers to find jobs with broader responsibilities.

Retail salespersons are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6421: Retail salespersons and sales clerks. In Alberta, 83% of people employed in this classification work in the Retail Trade (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Retail Trade industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 59,200 Albertans are employed in the Retail salespersons and sales clerks occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.9% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 1,125 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As retail salespersons form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for retail salespersons.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Retail Council of Canada website: www.retailcouncil.org

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.