What does a Shop Assistant do?
A Shop Assistant serves customers in a store and assists them with completing their purchases. They also help out in the store by ensuring the smooth running and proper maintenance of the sales floor, under the supervision of a Shop Manager. They identify the needs of customers and make suitable recommendations, increasing sales in the store.
A Shop Assistant ensures that shelves are properly stocked, they keep an eye on customers to prevent shoplifting and any damage to goods and help process refunds and exchanges. They work in retail across small corner shops, department stores and large chain shops.
Shop Assistant skills and qualifications
A Shop Assistant will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively. These typically include:
- Strong team spirit
- Excellent verbal and oral communication skills
- Ability to work in a high-pressure environment
- Working knowledge of relevant POS software and retail equipment
- Good mathematical skills
- Sales and persuasive skills
- Customer service and good interpersonal skills
- Physical fitness and excellent stamina
Shop Assistant experience requirements
Typically, a Shop Assistant requires one or two years of experience working in retail or customer service. Internships, apprenticeships and volunteer opportunities are acceptable as work experience for this role. Prior experience in attending to customers, creating and updating product inventories, managing a stock list and selling products will be useful. Other experience requirements are determined by the employer.
Shop Assistant education and training requirements
The minimum educational requirement for a Shop Assistant is often a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Other education requirements include a retailer intermediate apprenticeship and university courses like a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Retail Skills or Level 3 Diploma in Retails Skills Sales Professional.
Possible training requirements include short courses in retail skills and retail knowledge, introduction to retail knowledge, customer service, retail traineeship, understanding retail operations, and extended diploma in fashion business and retail.
Shop Assistant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, a Shop Assistant earns an average salary of £8.59 per hour. Their salary depends on their level of education and experience, geographical location, industry and employer.
Job description samples for similar positions
If you liked this Shop Assistant job description, but are not hiring for this role, take a look at the following job description samples for similar roles:
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
