Job Description for a Retail Store Sales Associate

Retail stores sales associates can work for virtually any type of retailer, including bookstores, specialty clothing stores or even high tech dealers who market cell phones or electronics. Retail sales associates must enjoy working with people and have familiarity with the products they sell.

Significance

The primary duty of retail sales associates is to interact with customers, answer their questions and make sales. They often serve as consultants for customers by helping them make the right selections.

Function

Retail sales associates are required to run the cash register in finalizing sales. This requires the ability to run credit cards as well as to make accurate cash transactions.

Types of Responsibilities

Retail sales associates often are required to stock shelves or return merchandise to its proper location. For example, clothing sales associates periodically pick up clothes from the dressing room, fold or re-rack them, and return them to their proper location.

Other Types of Responsibilities

Some retail sales associates will have open or even closing responsibilities. They might arrive first thing in the morning with the manager and help straighten up, open their register and even clean the counters or glass. Closers will be required to close out registers, empty trash or perform additional stocking duties.

Considerations

Retail sales associates who are more experienced or designated team leaders might be required to train new sales personnel, take inventory or place orders for new merchandise.

References

• Buzzle: Retail Sales Associate Job Description
• Career Builder: Retail Sales Associate Job Descriptions
• Docstoc: Job Description - Lead Sales Associate