Career Profile: Retail Salespersons

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 3,855,200 people employed as retail salespersons in the United States. The median annual salary is $29,120. Entry level employees earn approximately $21,840 per year and senior employees earn approximately $45,460 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
• Inventory stock and requisition new stock.
• Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.
• Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.
• Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.
• Clean shelves, counters, and tables.
• Maintain records related to sales.
• Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.
• Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
• Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
• Estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering.
• Rent merchandise to customers.
• Estimate cost of repair or alteration of merchandise.
• Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
• Estimate and quote trade-in allowances.
• Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.
• Help customers try on or fit merchandise.
• Sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise.
• Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
• Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
• Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
• Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
• Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
• Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.

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