Sales Assistant – Job Description

As a sales assistant you will work on the retail front line where no two days are the same because no two customers are alike.

If you don’t work well with people, then this is not the job for you. It’s all about customer service. If a customer is happy then they’re likely to spend more – and come back to spend again.

Your main duties will involve welcoming and advising customers, keeping the shop tidy and organised, handling payments and returns and sorting out orders and deliveries.

You’ll need to be good with numbers and excellent with people. Patience is vital – the customer is always right however strange you think their requests are. You’ll also need some stamina, as it’s a tiring business being on your feet all day while staying polite and pleasant.

The National Retail Skills Academy does offer awards, certificates and diplomas, but more formal qualifications are rare.

Browse our current vacancies in:

Sales, Retail and Business Development
Other recommended resources:

National Skills Academy for Retail
A training resource for members of the retail industry, they offer a number of courses for all aspects of sales and retail practice.

British Retail Consortium
A trade association representing members of the retail industry which provides an array of information, news and events.

Retail Therapy Magazine
A digital magazine resource full of news and information for those either interested or involved in the retail industry.

Retail Week
An online magazine which brings you the latest news in the world of retail.

Retail Trust
A charity aimed at looking after the needs of those involved in the retail industry.