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Retail Salesperson

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AVG. SALARY

$28,780

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EDUCATION

High school (GED) +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Retail Salespersons Career Video

About This Career

Sells merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

This career is part of the Marketing cluster Professional Sales pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Greets customers and ascertains what each customer wants or needs.
  • Recommends, selects, and helps locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
  • Computes sales prices, totals purchases, and receives and processes cash or credit payment.
  • Prepares merchandise for purchase or rental.
  • Answers questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
  • Maintains knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
  • Describes merchandise and explains use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
  • Demonstrates use or operation of merchandise.
  • Tickets, arranges, and displays merchandise to promote sales.
  • Inventories stock and requisitions new stock.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves walking or running more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Irregular hours
  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Customer Assistant
  • Sales Associate
  • Sales Clerk
  • Sales Consultant
  • Sales Person
  • Sales Representative
  • Salesman
  • Car Salesman