Sales assistants play a key role in making the customer's shopping experience enjoyable. They serve customers in all kinds of retail outlets, including supermarkets, clothing retailers and department stores.

The work of a sales assistant involves:

• dealing with customers
• handling payments by cash, card or cheque
• making sure goods are attractively displayed
• helping customers find the goods they want
• giving advice on the availability of stock and any special promotions
• giving information on products and prices
• arranging orders and delivery of stock.

In some specialist stores, such as mobile phone stores, sales assistants are often expected to have specialist knowledge of the product. They may also have tasks which are specific to the type of product, such as promoting phone accessories or additional services like insurance.

In smaller independent shops, their tasks will be more varied, and may include arranging window displays and receiving stock deliveries.

Hours and Environment

As a sales assistant you will normally work 37 or 38 hours a week, including evenings and weekends. Part-time work is very common and you may work a shift pattern. 

You will normally spend a lot of time on your feet and may need to lift and carry items of stock. You will often be expected to wear a uniform.

Skills and Interests

To be a sales assistant you should:

• be able to work within a team
• enjoy working with the public and have a polite, helpful manner
• be confident when dealing with difficult and sometimes unexpected situations
• have a smart appearance
• have good numerical skills for dealing with payments and stock checks
• be comfortable using computerised equipment such as cash
• have plenty of stamina.

Entry

You do not need any specific qualifications to become a sales assistant, although some employers may ask for GCSEs/S grades in English and Maths. Employers of sales assista will normally value interpersonal skills, flexibility and a positive attitude over any academic qualifications.

You will be at an advantage when applying for a job as a sales assistant if you have experience of working with the public and of handling cash. 

You may also be able to enter through an apprenticeship scheme (see Training).

Training

As a sales assistant you will normally receive training on the job. Your training may be linked to relevant NVQs/SVQs.

Relevant qualifications include:

• BTEC First Diploma in Retail
• NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 in Retail Operations
• NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Sales
• NVQ/SVQ Level 1 in Distributive Operations
• NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 in Customer Service.

You will normally receive specialist hygiene training if you work with products such as fish or meats.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24 and some over-25s. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland.

Opportunities

Retail is a growing industry. There are shops and stores of all shapes and sizes, from small independent shops, such as newsagents or pet shops, to larger department stores.

Opportunities can be found nation-wide. Many stores/retail operations now have their own websites advertising vacancies and training schemes.

Promotion prospects can be excellent, particularly in larger organisations committed to staff training. Progression would usually be to supervisor level then possibly onto management positions.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Full-time sales assistants usually earn between £10,000 and £13,000 a year.
Supervisors can earn up to £17,000 a year.

Further information

222-224 Queensferry Road
Federation House
Edinburgh
EH4 2BN
Tel: 0131 343 3300 40 Duke Street
London
W1A 1AB
Tel: 0800 093 5001