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Apparel associate skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical apparel associate skills. We ranked the top skills for apparel associates based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 36.1% of apparel associate resumes contained sales floor as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an apparel associate needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 apparel associate skills for your resume and career

1. Sales Floor

The sales floor is the area in a company or a business that is specified for retail activities or is designated as the selling area of the shop. A car showroom can be considered a sales floor, as it has cars in its display which are to be sold. A sales floor is generally crowded with sales assistants who are there to help you out while you can search and check out the products. Generally a sales floor has free access to the public and they can observe, view and get information about the product that is being sold.

Here's how apparel associates use sales floor:

Assisted customers-Placed special orders on jewelry-Maintained clean cases and work areas-Stocked sales floor-Handled money
Maintained an orderly sales floor while providing excellent customer service

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how apparel associates use customer service:

Assisted customers in person and via telephone Cross-trained and provided back-up for other customer service representatives when needed.
Delivered excellent customer service experience including, but not limited to, selling, suggesting additional related merchandise.

3. POS

POS is an abbreviation of "Point of Sale" which is the time and place where a customer completes a transaction. It can either be a physical shop that consists of POS terminals or a virtual shop. A POS system helps simplify the retail functions and track important sales data.

Here's how apparel associates use pos:

Achieve metric goals using a POS system Accomplishments Employee of the month a month after hire
Assisted customers with fashion selections Trained in proper undergarment measuring and fitting Processed orders using Lane Bryant's POS system Inventory Control

4. Product Knowledge

Product knowledge is the skill of having better information and knowledge about the product you are selling. Product knowledge is essential for the employees of the companies so they can communicate and inform the customers about the product. Having great product knowledge is essential for a better sales pitch and to give the customer a better and complete idea of the product that will influence him to buy the product eventually.

Here's how apparel associates use product knowledge:

Maintain strong knowledge of apparel merchandising, remain product knowledgeable, and remain aware in advertised sales.
Offered product knowledge, recommendations and assistance to customers and employees.

5. Inventory Control

Here's how apparel associates use inventory control:

Answered PhonesStocked ApparelManaged Fitting RoomsInventory ControlCustomer Service
Handled inventory control for all accounts with national and international manufactures and customers.

6. Upselling

Here's how apparel associates use upselling:

Provided excellent customer service while upselling promotional products
Accomplished upselling goals to contribute to company's success.

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7. Merchandise Presentation

Here's how apparel associates use merchandise presentation:

Uphold merchandise presentation standards by executing visual directives.
Implement the merchandise presentation standards and signage of the apparel department to meet company standards and maximize profits.

8. Front End

Here's how apparel associates use front end:

Front end responsibilities; balancing cash registers, process credit card applications.
Worked in fitting room, front end, jewelry and customer service.

9. Loss Prevention

The steps taken by a business to prevent theft is called loss prevention. There are multiple methods for loss prevention for example usage of automated cash handling, secure physical location, product security staff buy-in, and attentive customer service.

Here's how apparel associates use loss prevention:

Assist in loss prevention, execute and understand store shrink plan.
Reported to Assistant Store Manager regarding safety and loss prevention issues.

10. Credit Card Transactions

Here's how apparel associates use credit card transactions:

Recommended merchandise based on customer needs Operated a cash register to process cash, check and credit card transactions.
Operated a cash register for cash, check, and credit card transactionswith perfect accuracy.

11. Customer Calls

Here's how apparel associates use customer calls:

Stock all product and zone all merchandise, Answer all incoming customer calls and customer service in the fitting room.
Monitored dressing rooms as well as connecting all incoming customer calls to desired departments.

12. Stock Room

A stock room is a room where a company's goods are stored. It is a room where products or materials are kept until they are needed: Less stock is kept on the shop floor and more in the stockroom.

Here's how apparel associates use stock room:

Maintained apparel stock room and inventory, replenished apparel and maintained visual standards on the floor.
Maintained cleanliness and presentation of stock room and production floor.Recipient of multiple positive reviews acknowledging dedication to excellent customer service.

13. Stock Shelves

To "stock shelves" is referred as the process of putting the supplies on the shelves in the store. It is important to stock the shelves timely as empty shelves can cost a business too much.

Here's how apparel associates use stock shelves:

Assist customers by answering product and service questions, respond to customer issues promptly, process monetary transactions and stock shelves
Worked in the mornings to help stock shelves and or take inventory of existing products.

14. Customer Assistance

Customer assistance is any help rendered to a customer of a business when the customer needs it. It's a service rendered by brands, businesses, or corporate bodies to those who patronize them. Every customer is entitled to assistance from the company he/she is patronizing during the purchase or after purchase.

Here's how apparel associates use customer assistance:

Truck unload > Cashier> Customer Assistance> Answered phones> Inventory
Stocked and insured cleanliness of the Apparel Department Deliver superior customer assistance and service

15. Customer Complaints

Here's how apparel associates use customer complaints:

Provided assistance to customers with apparel selections and resolved customer complaints when returning items.
Responded to all customer complaints with courtesy and empathy.

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List of apparel associate skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an apparel associate resume and required skills for an apparel associate to have include:

Sales Floor
Customer Service
POS
Product Knowledge
Inventory Control
Upselling
Merchandise Presentation
Front End
Loss Prevention

Credit Card Transactions
Customer Calls
Stock Room
Stock Shelves
Customer Assistance
Customer Complaints
Telephone Calls
Retail Environment
Stock Merchandise

Security Risks
Credit Payment
Security Practices
Store Merchandise
Cash Registers
Display Merchandise
Sales Prices

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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