What does a Retail Representative do?
Retail representatives perform customer service and sales duties at retail store locations. They are sometimes also known as retail store associates. They assist customers, answering their questions, helping them locate items, and providing product information. They also explain details about current store promotions and sales. They complete sales and other transactions using a cash register terminal. They manage inventory, assemble displays, and stock shelves. They assist customers with returns or other issues related to previous purchases. They are also responsible for maintaining a safe and clean store environment.
Retail representatives typically have a high school diploma, and commonly have a background in retail sales or customer service. They must have excellent communication and customer service skills. Experience operating a cash register or sales terminal is helpful.
- Keep entire work site neat, clean and organized.
- Promote and maintain a safe working and shopping environment.
- Accurately manage personal cash drawer opening, closing, and balancing.
- Focus on the customer by giving a warm and friendly greeting, maintaining eye contact and offering help locate additional items when needed.
- Comply and actively support all company policies and procedures.
- Report any register malfunction to supervisors.
- Assist with inventory process (i.e., ordering, receiving, returns).
- Assist customers with large purchases (taking out to vehicle).
- Help to ensure the store is stocked, clean, and in proper operational order.
- Assist other store employees in maintaining security in stores.
- Adhere to cash policies and procedures to minimize losses.
- Greet and assist customers with their needs.
- Utilize inventory management systems to scan, process, and count product.
- Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in business, finance or information technology or equivalent experience.
- Ability to work independently and to use composure and critical thinking for problem solving.
- A multitasker with strong product knowledge and consummate professionalism.
- Strong work ethic and able to interact with confidence.
- Can collaborate with other team members.
- Has leadership skills and a positive attitude.
- Fluent in computing systems and technology such as RSS or Microsoft Excel.
- Experienced in expense control.
Retail Representative Career Path
Learn how to become a Retail Representative, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Retail Representative Insights
Safeway“Flexible scheduling and it is Good first job”
Circle K“People are super nice and fun.”
Matalan Retail“fair pay and good for part time.”
J.Crew Factory“I really liked the managers for the most part and was impressed how well it was run.”
Uniqlo“workers and team to work with even though it was my first time working as a part time.”
J. C. Penney“I really loved the people I worked with while at JCPenney and am still connected with them to this day.”
Mariano's“Good good good good good”
Vishal Mega Mart“Good good good good good”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of retail representatives
Also known as a retail store associate, a retail representative spends a typical day assisting customers with their shopping needs. Retail representatives typically work in a brick-and-mortar store. Each day, they provide answers to questions about goods, help customers locate certain products, and keep the store clean and orderly.
Working as a retail representative can be a great way to start your career in retail. The job often allows for upward mobility, with many receiving promotions to sales managers. Moreover, retail representatives experience a job with relatively low stress and a strong work-life balance.
As with any job, there are some drawbacks to being a retail representative. While they typically follow a traditional workday, they might need to work longer hours during the holiday season. Because of close contact to customers, retail representatives also need strong communication and organization skills to be successful at their job, for example when dealing with a difficult customer.