What Do Retail Salesperson Do?
Retail Salesperson Job Description Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Life As a Retail Salesperson: What Do They Do?
- Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
- Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
- Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.
- Sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
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What a Retail Salesperson Should Know
When polled, Retail Salespersons say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles
- Commission Sales Associate
- Wardrobe Image Consultant
- Leather and Suede Apparel and Accessories Salesperson
- General Hardware Salesperson
- Wig Sales Consultant
Job Opportunities for Retail Salespersons
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 4,602,500 jobs in the United States for Retail Salesperson. 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. The BLS estimates 670,300 yearly job openings in this field.
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 typical yearly salary for Retail Salespersons is somewhere between $18,400 and $41,530.
Retail Salespersons who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Retail Salespersons make in each U.S. state?
| 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Retail Salespersons
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Retail Salespersons may use on a daily basis:
- 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 to Become a Retail Salesperson
What kind of Retail Salesperson requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Retail Salespersons Are Employed
Retail Salespersons work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
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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