Career summary

Details for Retail Salespersons


Description

Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel in a retail establishment.

Tasks

  • Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
  • Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.
  • Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
  • Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
  • Maintain records related to sales.
  • Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.
  • Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
  • Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
  • Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
  • Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
  • Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
  • Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.
  • Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
  • Clean shelves, counters, and tables.
  • Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.
  • Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.
  • Help customers try on or fit merchandise.
  • Inventory stock and requisition new stock.
  • Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
  • Sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise.
  • Estimate and quote trade-in allowances.
  • Estimate cost of repair or alteration of merchandise.
  • Estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering.
  • Rent merchandise to customers.

Interests

  • Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics -Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • English Language -Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • 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.

Skills

  • Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

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