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What You Need to Know About Retail Salesperson
Position Description Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
What Do Retail Salespersons Do On a Daily Basis?
- Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
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Retail Salesperson Required Skills
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.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Types of Retail Salesperson Jobs
- Vendette
- Floor Coverings Salesperson
- Books Salesperson
- Clothing Consultant
- Merchandise Coordinator
Job Opportunities for Retail Salespersons
There were about 4,602,500 jobs for Retail Salesperson in 2016 (in the United States). 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. There will be an estimated 670,300 positions for Retail Salesperson per year.
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 Average Salary
The salary for Retail Salespersons ranges between about $18,400 and $41,530 a year.
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
- IBM Notes
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Intuit QuickBooks
How do I Become a Retail Salesperson?
Are there Retail Salespersons education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Retail Salesperson?
Where do Retail Salespersons Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Career changers with experience as a Retail Salesperson sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Tour Guides and Escorts
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
- Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
- Gaming and Sports Book Writers and Runners
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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