What does a Retail Associate do?
Retail Associates are typically employed in brick-and-mortar stores, where they perform a number of duties related to customer service and sales. Their primary role is to help customers find the merchandise they want or need and complete the transaction. Besides assisting customers, most Retail Associates also perform related duties like stocking and restocking shelves, cleaning and tidying the store, writing or delivering reports to managers and creating product displays to attract customers. Some Retail Associates work on their own, while others work as part of a team of Retail Associates and other related positions.
Retail Associate skills and qualifications
Retail Associates need to possess a strong set of skills in order to perform their duties effectively, including:
- Comprehensive understanding of the store products
- Advanced customer service skills
- Basic math skills
- The ability to use a cash register
- Strong level of professionalism at work
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Patience when dealing with difficult customers
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
Retail Associate salary expectations
Retail Associates make an average salary of $12.62 per hour. This pay rate may vary depending on the type of organization and the candidate’s education and level of experience.
Retail Associate salary expectations
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Common salary:
15.94 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
7.25 -30.65 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Retail Associate education and training requirements
Most entry-level Retail Associates don’t need a college degree, or sometimes even a high school diploma or GED. It is, however, important for the applicants to have ample knowledge about the products in the retail store so that they can answer the customers’ questions. Training may be necessary depending on the type of merchandise sold in the store, though most training is done on the job. However, for stores that sell more technical products, like computers and electronics, employers may prefer candidates who have already been trained to understand how those devices work.
Retail Associate experience requirements
Depending on the merchandise sold in the store, some jobs may require Retail Associates to have more experience in the industry. For instance, Retail Associates working for a car dealership may need previous sales experience to do well in the position. Some employers may also look for candidates who have prior experience in similar positions, such as Cashier and Customer Service Representative. These candidates likely have experience using point-of-sale systems and handling customers, which is a plus.
Retail Associate Job Description Template
We are looking for a Retail Associate to provide excellent customer service within our store. Candidates with strong communication skills who can make customers feel welcome in our store will stand out. You will help identify client needs, present and answer questions about our products and services and recommend solutions. A positive attitude and a desire to promptly resolve potential customer issues or complaints will make you successful in this role. Ultimately, you will ensure that customers leave our store satisfied and you will contribute to the store’s profitability.
Responsibilities
- Greet and direct customers
- Provide accurate information (e.g. product features, pricing and after-sales services)
- Answer customers’ questions about specific products/services
- Conduct price and feature comparisons to facilitate purchasing
- Cross-sell products
- Ensure racks are fully stocked
- Manage returns of merchandise
- Clean assigned areas of the store; ensure merchandise is properly displayed
- Inform customers about discounts and special offers
- Provide customer feedback to the Store Manager
- Stay up-to-date with new products/services
Requirements
- Proven work experience working as a Retail Associate or a similar role
- The ability to use a cash register
- Strong level of professionalism at work
- Knowledge of inventory stocking procedures
- Basic math skills
- Excellent communication skills, capable of building trusting relationships
- Ability to perform in fast-paced environments
- Flexibility to work various shifts
Job description samples for similar positions
If you’re writing a job description for a similar position to a Retail Associate, see our job descriptions for related roles:
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