Top retail skills to look for in candidates

1. Customer service

Included in 34.3% of retail job postings

Retail associates may handle returns and communicate with shoppers who aren’t ready to buy or who would like to learn more about how products work. Knowing how to listen to customers and meet their needs can increase sales and grow customer loyalty. Specific customer service skills include empathy, product knowledge, problem-solving and patience.  

Job description example: Strong customer service skills in a retail setting

Assessing the skill: Ask customer service questions in the interview or roleplay with a mock retail scenario.

2. Communication skills

Included in 32.65% of retail job postings

With strong communication skills, a retail associate can engage customers, answer questions, explain how products work and resolve issues. Active listening enables them to determine customers’ needs to improve their interactions. Associates might also need to communicate over the phone or via email. 

Job description example: Effective communication skills in person and over the phone

Assessing the skill: Verbal communication skills, including expressing ideas, active listening and visible demeanor

3. Management

Included in 10.84% of retail job postings

If you’re hiring for a retail management position, including management skills in the job ad helps find experienced candidates. Specific management skills include interpersonal skills, delegation, conflict resolution and analytical thinking. Also, look for management skills if the role has supervisory duties or you plan to promote the candidate in the future.

Job description example: Retail management experience in a high-volume sales setting

Assessing the skill: Previous experience on resumes detailing management experience

4. Computer skills

Included in 8.46% of retail job postings

Retail work often uses technology to improve processes and increase accuracy. Looking for computer skills helps determine if candidates can operate your computer-based point-of-sales (POS) systems. Retail team members with supervisory duties might need to use computer software to track inventory and manage the workforce. 

Job description example: Strong computer skills with experience using retail software

Assessing the skill: Basic computer skills assessments can tell you if an applicant is proficient with technology.

5. Cashiering

Included in 8.32% of retail job postings

Retail associates often spend time processing transactions. Candidates with cashiering skills know how to scan items, run POS systems and accept payments. Having these skills can cut down on training time. 

Job description example: Experience using POS systems to process customer transactions

Assessing the skill: Previous cashiering experience on the application or a cashier aptitude test online indicates this skill.

6. Supervising experience

Included in 7.28% of retail job postings

Some retail positions involve key holder or supervisory duties. Supervision skills include training employees, delegating tasks and completing shift reports. When hiring for this type of role, list specific supervisory skills you want the candidate to have based on the job responsibilities.

Job description example: Experience supervising and training retail employees

Assessing the skill: Look for supervisory experience on applications, particularly in retail settings. Asking supervisory interview questions also assesses skills.

7. English

Included in 7.06% of retail job postings

English language skills contribute to clear communication when interacting with customers. Retail associates need to understand what customers are saying and respond clearly. Strong English skills also help associates communicate with their colleagues to ensure the work gets done correctly.

Job description example: Fluency in English

Assessing the skill: Administer a language proficiency test as part of your application process.

8. Sales 

Included in 6.64% of retail job postings

Building value in your products is instrumental when customers don’t know the difference between the options. Effective salespeople can show how certain features are worth the added cost and sell the more expensive product. Some retail positions focus heavily on sales, in which case this skill is beneficial to list in the job posting.

Job description example: Effective sales skills

Assessing the skill: Previous job experience can show sales experience. You may also ask for concrete statistics on sales success.

9. Retail sales

Included in 6.62% of retail job postings

Retail sales skills are similar to general sales skills with a focus on retail settings, where consumers are typically ready to buy that day. Effective retail sales skills allow the employee to understand the customers’ needs and recommend the best options.  

Job description example: Strong retail sales experience

Assessing the skill: Look for sales-related responsibilities on applications and resumes and ask for additional details in interviews.

10. Organizational skills

Included in 6.39% of retail job postings

Organizational skills help retail employees maintain a tidy sales floor where customers can find the items they need. Staying organized is also important for keeping records of sales and inventory. If the position requires the candidate to keep a specific area organized, mention that in your posting.

Job description example: Ability to maintain organized sales records and inventory

Assessing the skill: Contacting references and asking targeted interview questions about inventory organization.

11. Leadership

Included in 5.84% of retail job postings

Strong leadership skills empower retail employees to take charge. Being able to lead others comes in handy if the role involves training or supervision. Include this skill in your posting if you’re hiring for a supervisory role within the retail store.

Job description example: Effective leadership skills with proven leadership experience

Assessing the skill: Check resumes for leadership roles or supervisory duties. Ask scenario-based interview questions to look for leadership potential.

12. Basic math

Included in 5.04% of retail job postings

Math is used in retail jobs at the cash register and beyond. Even though POS systems total the items, associates still need to count money, make changes and recognize mathematical errors. Counting inventory is another example of math being used in retail settings.

Job description example: Basic math and computational skills

Assessing the skill: Having candidates take a math test that covers basic operations ensures they can handle the role.

13. Cash handling

Included in 4.93% of retail job postings

Proper cash handling helps prevent long lines at the register and protects your assets. It involves counting money properly and giving back the correct amount of change. You can expand this to money handling or payment handling to encompass credit cards, checks and digital payments, depending on what you use.

Job description example: Experience processing payments, including cash, credit cards and digital payments

Assessing the skill: Administer a cashier test that assesses skills, such as cash handling, as part of your interview process.

14. Bilingual

Included in 4.64% of retail job postings

Retail stores with a large customer base that speaks another language benefit from bilingual candidates. Speaking another prominent language allows associates to communicate well with and help all customers effectively, which can increase sales and encourage customer loyalty.

Job description example: Fluent in English and Spanish

Assessing the skill: Using a language assessment in the target languages ensures applicants have the appropriate level of fluency.

15. Computer literacy

Included in 4.31% of retail job postings

Look for candidates with operational knowledge of the technology you use. Strong computer and technology literacy makes it easier for new hires to use your POS and computer systems. It’s common to use computers for sales, inventory and HR functions. 

Job description example: Equipped with strong computer literacy skills and comfort with technology

Assessing the skill: Request a computer skills test from applicants to evaluate their computer literacy.

16. Retail management

Included in 3.95% of retail job postings

If you’re hiring for a manager role, you can look for retail-specific management experience instead of general management skills. Leadership skills in retail settings show that the candidate understands industry-specific issues, such as store promotions and inventory maintenance. 

Job description example: Two years of retail management experience

Assessing the skill: Look for applicants with retail management experience and statistics showing how they performed as retail managers.

17. Restaurant experience

Included in 3.91% of retail job postings

While retail job skills typically relate to shops, you might have retail-type positions in a restaurant setting. For example, if you have a gift shop in your restaurant, being familiar with restaurant operations helps blend those duties. 

Job description example: Experience in a restaurant setting, including processing sales

Assessing the skill: Look for restaurant positions listed on the application and ask specific restaurant-related questions when interviewing candidates.

18. Merchandising

Included in 3.71% of retail job postings

Merchandising for a retail establishment typically refers to how you display products to encourage customers to buy more. Employees may need to set up displays, arrange items on shelves or straighten up messy displays. Understanding how the visuals affect sales can strengthen the candidate’s ability to perform well and increase sales for your store.

Job description example: Merchandising skills with familiarity following planograms

Assessing the skill: Discuss previous merchandising experience in interviews.

19. Automotive diagnostics

Included in 3.65% of retail job postings

Specialty retail businesses, such as car supply and mechanic shops, often request specialized skills. If you run an automotive shop, for example, look for an employee who can process purchases and help with automotive diagnostics. This skill requires an understanding of diagnostic equipment and vehicles.

Job description example: Ability to run automotive diagnostics

Assessing the skill: Review resumes that include automotive diagnostics skills from previous work experience.

20. Microsoft Excel

Included in 3.61% of retail job postings

Retail establishments track sales, inventory and other key data to manage the store effectively. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets offer a versatile way to use that data effectively. Familiarity with Excel saves time on training. If the role involves using Excel to work with data, mention the level of proficiency you expect. 

Job description example: Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills

Assessing the skill: Ask candidates to take an Excel skills test online to verify their proficiency levels. Learn more about Indeed Assessments.

21. Microsoft Office

Included in 3.57% of retail job postings

The Microsoft Office suite of software includes Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. In addition to using Excel for tracking data, retail stores use Word to create promotional materials. Knowing how to use various Microsoft Office programs prepares the candidate for these job duties. If Microsoft Office plays a significant role in the job, add it to the posting. 

Job description example: Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Assessing the skill: Consider a Microsoft Office skills test as part of the interview process.

22. Time management

Included in 2.99% of retail job postings

Time management is an important soft skill for retail workers, who often juggle customer service, cashier duties and shelf stocking. Allotting the proper amount of time to tasks, prioritizing their duties and completing them efficiently helps maximize the work a retail associate completes in a day. 

Job description example: Efficiency, prioritization and time management skills

Assessing the skill: Ask interview questions about how the candidate handles time management and multitasking in a retail environment.

23. Store management

Included in 2.7% of retail job postings

A candidate with store management skills understands how to open and close a store, manage inventory, resolve escalated customer issues and handle staffing tasks. If you’re hiring for a supervisory or management position, these skills can help the candidate complete the duties effectively.

Job description example: Two years of retail store management experience

Assessing the skill: Looking at previous job duties through the resume and asking targeted interview questions about this helps determine what store management skills the candidate has.

24. Spanish

Included in 2.63% of retail job postings

If your store attracts a large customer base of people who speak Spanish, hiring employees who are fluent in the language can improve customer service. It helps those customers have their needs met more effectively and could make them feel valued as customers, which encourages them to continue shopping with you.

Job description example: Fluency in spoken Spanish

Assessing the skill: A Spanish language assessment is a simple way to check for fluency.

25. Microsoft Word

Included in 2.55% of retail job postings

Microsoft Word is part of the Microsoft Office collection and is used for word processing. In a retail setting, it’s a tool for drafting employee communications, promotional materials or to-do lists. Consider including it if the role you’re hiring for uses the program.

Job description example: Advanced Microsoft Word skills

Assessing the skill: Assigning a Microsoft Word test during the hiring process lets you evaluate this skill.

Other top retail skills in demand

Here are an additional 25 retail skills that are common in retail job postings on Indeed:

26. Employment and labor law: Included in 2% of retail job postings

27. Analysis skills: Included in 1.83% of retail job postings

28. Math: Included in 1.72% of retail job postings

29. Inventory control: Included in 1.7% of retail job postings

30. Schematics: Included in 1.6% of retail job postings

31. Guest services: Included in 1.56% of retail job postings

32. Planograms: Included in 1.56% of retail job postings

33. Writing skills: Included in 1.34% of retail job postings

34. Recruiting: Included in 1.27% of retail job postings

35. Microsoft Outlook: Included in 1.19% of retail job postings

36. Forklift: Included in 1.12% of retail job postings

37. Interviewing: Included in 1.08% of retail job postings

38. Banking: Included in 1.02% of retail job postings

39. Stocking: Included in 0.99% of retail job postings

40. Military: Included in 0.95% of retail job postings

41. Food service: Included in 0.94% of retail job postings

42. Microsoft PowerPoint: Included in 0.91% of retail job postings

43. Warehouse experience: Included in 0.8% of retail job postings

44. Marketing: Included in 0.79% of retail job postings

45. Hospitality: Included in 0.76% of retail job postings

46. Conflict management: Included in 0.74% of retail job postings

47. Purchasing: Included in 0.62% of retail job postings

48. Sanitation: Included in 0.58% of retail job postings

49. Negotiation: Included in 0.57% of retail job postings

50. Accounting: Included in 0.56% of retail job postings

¹Indeed data (US), January 2023 – Dec 2023