What does a Retail Associate do?
Retail Associates handle customer enquiries and provide information about the various product lines available, store policies and the services on offer. They provide a link between the business and its customers, promoting the company culture and maintaining a thorough knowledge of the products available. They also handle complaints, often acting as the first point of contact with customers. Retail Associates typically clean and clear various areas of the shop floor, including relocating miss-shelved stock, tidying up displays and ensuring that the shop floor is kept clean.
Retail Associate skills and qualifications
Retail Associates can be responsible for a number of different jobs including dealing with customers, managing stock and reaching sales targets. To succeed, they need various skills and qualifications, including:
- Excellent customer service skills and knowledge of company policies
- An eye for detail
- Sales and marketing skills
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Proven problem-solving skills
- Time management and multitasking skills
- Ability to work well with the team
- Decision-making skills
Retail Associate experience requirements
Retail Associate can be an entry-level job with no experience required, but some companies prefer candidates who have worked in a similar environment. Applicants who have experience working in customer-facing roles will have an advantage, as will those who have worked in any retail role. Any previous experience of sales or marketing is useful, as is previous experience of working in a fast-paced, and sometimes highly pressurised environment. Although full training is usually offered, applicants who have used Point of Sale (POS) or till systems before must be confident handling money and processing payments.
Retail Associate education and training requirements
Retail Associates must have a GCSE in maths and English (or equivalent) to demonstrate basic literacy and numeracy skills. Applicants who have completed training in health and safety or manual handling will have an advantage when it comes to maintaining safety standards and moving stock. There are a number of specific vocational qualifications that will show candidates’ proficiency such as a Level 2 certificate in retail skills, a diploma in retail skills for sales professionals or a City and Guilds in visual merchandising.
Retail Associate salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of Retail Associates is £8.87 per hour, although this depends on the level of seniority, the area in which the shop is located and the requirements of the role.
Job description samples for similar positions
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