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What You Need to Know About Retail Salesperson

Example of Retail Salesperson Job Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

Daily Life Of a Retail Salesperson

  • Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
  • Inventory stock and requisition new stock.
  • Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
  • Sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise.
  • Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
  • Rent merchandise to customers.

Things a Retail Salesperson Should Know How to Do

These are the skills Retail Salespersons say are the most useful in their careers:

Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Other Retail Salesperson Job Titles

  • Fashion Consultant
  • Car Salesman
  • Cosmetic Counselor
  • Coupon Redemption Clerk
  • Merchandising Assistant

Job Outlook for Retail Salespersons

In the United States, there were 4,602,500 jobs for Retail Salesperson in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 1.7% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 79,600 new jobs for Retail Salesperson by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 670,300 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Retail Salesperson are Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Retail Salesperson Salary

The salary for Retail Salespersons ranges between about $18,400 and $41,530 a year.

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Retail Salespersons who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Retail Salespersons in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $26,770
Alaska $30,060
Arizona $27,050
Arkansas $25,610
California $31,460
Colorado $30,860
Connecticut $32,910
Delaware $26,330
District of Columbia $37,510
Florida $26,790
Georgia $25,510
Hawaii $30,530
Idaho $27,710
Illinois $28,710
Indiana $26,040
Iowa $26,870
Kansas $27,390
Kentucky $25,700
Louisiana $25,420
Maine $28,310
Maryland $27,740
Massachusetts $30,290
Michigan $27,440
Minnesota $29,190
Mississippi $25,780
Missouri $28,030
Montana $28,500
Nebraska $27,380
Nevada $28,180
New Hampshire $28,610
New Jersey $29,180
New Mexico $27,060
New York $30,100
North Carolina $26,190
North Dakota $32,830
Ohio $28,260
Oklahoma $27,940
Oregon $30,590
Pennsylvania $27,350
Rhode Island $31,630
South Carolina $26,420
South Dakota $29,450
Tennessee $27,790
Texas $26,840
Utah $27,570
Vermont $30,930
Virginia $27,310
Washington $34,500
West Virginia $25,400
Wisconsin $26,540
Wyoming $28,280

What Tools & Technology do Retail Salespersons Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Retail Salespersons:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Access
  • Data entry software
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Facebook
  • IBM Notes
  • Google Docs
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
  • Intuit QuickBooks

How do I Become a Retail Salesperson?

Learn what Retail Salesperson education requirements there are.

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Retail Salesperson?

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Retail Salespersons Sector

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Are you already one of the many Retail Salesperson in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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