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Retail clerk skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Timothy Kneeland,

Joseph Hancock

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical retail clerk skills. We ranked the top skills for retail clerks based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 30.9% of retail clerk resumes contained stock shelves as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a retail clerk needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 retail clerk skills for your resume and career

1. 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 retail clerks use stock shelves:

Exhibit excellent customer service * Restock shelves and inventory products * Exhibit excellent salesmanship
Stock shelves, inventory, cashier, enter new merchandise into computer system, print labels and count medication for distribution.

2. Groceries

Here's how retail clerks use groceries:

Assisted customers in locating items, bagging groceries and carry-outs.
Received, opened and unpacked groceries plus organized shelves.

3. Retail Sales

Retail sales are the method to track consumer demand for finished goods by assessing the purchases of durable and non-durable products over a definite period. Data on retail sales is accumulated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Here's how retail clerks use retail sales:

Worked summers involving retail sales, customer services, inventory management and computer involvement
Facilitate retail sales, including customer assistance and follow-up.

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 retail clerks use product knowledge:

Aided customers by investigating their product needs, providing product knowledge and making product recommendations.
Position included transforming extensive product knowledge into increased sales opportunities and closes.

5. Basic Math

Here's how retail clerks use basic math:

Used basic Math Skills and excellent interpersonal communication-Effectively managed my time and prioritized tasks-Strong product knowledge and understanding of target customers.
Processed all kind of transactions at register and applied basic mathematical knowledge to apply non-automatic discount promotions.

6. 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 retail clerks use pos:

Assisted customers with returns* Answered telephone inquiries from customers*Provided great customer service for walk- in customers*Operated cash register, POS
Handled sales and returns through a POS software system and inventory database, and trained new employees on the same tools.

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7. Customer Satisfaction

Here's how retail clerks use customer satisfaction:

Ensured customer satisfaction through outstanding sale service and assessed customers and provided assistance on exhibitions of art and clothing.
Moved into grocery assisting with floor replenishment to guarantee product availability and promote customer satisfaction.

8. Math

Here's how retail clerks use math:

Exhibited rudimentary math skills and advanced communication skills when efficiently cashiering in a fast paced environment.
Provided instruction to individual students to improve academic performance in math and reading comprehension.

9. Customer Complaints

Here's how retail clerks use customer complaints:

Resolved customer complaints and concerns regarding products and purchases to ensure substantial client satisfaction.
Conducted customers transactions in a friendly and expedited manner; resolved customer complaints

10. Ladders

Here's how retail clerks use ladders:

Installed sound systems, steering systems, port-holes, hatches, swim decks, ladders, and windshields.
Demonstrated safety precautions associated with heavy lifting and ladders.

11. Retail Environment

A retail environment can be defined as the environment in which things are sold on a commercial scale. It is the sum of the variables and forces inside and outside the company that can influence retail decisions. Businesses in this sector sell a wide range of products to consumers and companies, ranging from groceries, clothing, hardware, household items, and office supplies.

Here's how retail clerks use retail environment:

Developed customer relations in a retail environment
Provide excellent customer service, assist in ordering, receiving, storing and stocking food items in a busy retail environment.

12. Inventory Control

Here's how retail clerks use inventory control:

Ordered Groceries/Supplies/Inventory Control/Employee Management/Customer Relations.
Performed cashier, salesperson, and inventory control positions in retail auto parts business

13. 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 retail clerks use customer service:

Provide gracious/friendly customer service, display positive/cooperative teamwork and exhibit product/service knowledge when transacting sales in team stores/stands.
Achieved exceptional customer service by working as a powerful team member targeted at exceeding customer expectations.

14. 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 retail clerks use sales floor:

Maintained established merchandising standards including sales floor and promotional displays
Replenished sales floor when merchandise diminished.

15. Punctuality

Here's how retail clerks use punctuality:

Worked with clients to ensure quality, punctuality and set up of meals.

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What skills help Retail Clerks find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What retail clerk skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Timothy Kneeland

Professor and Chair History, Politics, and Law, Nazareth College of Rochester

Take every opportunity that you can to learn new skills and to take initiative in different situations. Do not shy away from taking on new tasks that could lead to a promotion or could be invaluable in a later career.
Try to remember that institutions change slowly and that if you are smart, personable, and persistent, you can be the one to make beneficial changes to the organization that hired you. You have to build trust and relationships first.

Network! Go out of your way to meet people in your organization. Spend time having lunch with people. Get to know them and, if possible, find a mentor in your new position.

What technical skills for a retail clerk stand out to employers?

Joseph Hancock

Research Professor, Program Director, Former Retail Operations Manager, Drexel University, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

Technologically savvy is necessary, so what will set you apart are your soft skills, patience, the ability to think beyond yourself. Again, don't be ethnocentric, be multi-centric. I believe technology only exposes us to a virtual world of acceptance, and really if you are going to be sales, you need to be cultured beyond the computer and social media. Understand others and their needs, be a person who tells the potential employer how you are going to go the extra mile to care for customers and make sure their needs are met through your excellent customers service skills (and give solid examples). Most importantly, know what you are selling and realize that the person you are talking to, might know more than you! There have been so many times I walk into a retail store only to have the store associate or manager talk to me as if I know nothing about the product they are selling. Ask your customers questions do not just talk at them, talk with them.

What soft skills should all retail clerks possess?

Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Chair, Academic Policies Committee, Director of MCOM Internship Program, University of North Carolina at Asheville

Be personable and a person someone wants to talk with and work with on a continuing basis. Listening and note-taking skills will be critical. Great employees listen well and ask good follow up questions. Be versatile and adaptable. If you find some downtime between projects, ask how you may help with another project.

Do you want to know more?

List of retail clerk skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a retail clerk resume and required skills for a retail clerk to have include:

Stock Shelves
Groceries
Retail Sales
Product Knowledge
Basic Math
POS
Customer Satisfaction
Math
Customer Complaints
Ladders
Retail Environment
Inventory Control
Customer Service
Sales Floor
Punctuality
Good Communication
Customer Transactions

Floor Stock
Retail Store
Display Merchandise
Product Displays
Public Inquiries
Exceptional Guest
Sales Techniques
Cash Drawers
Customer Relations
Retrieve Data
Charge Slips
Security Practices
Security Risks
Credit Payment
Sales Transactions
Customer Inquiries
Sales Contracts

Sales Prices
Loss Prevention
Excellent Guest
Cash Registers
Stock Room
Store Displays
Sales Slips
Store Inventory
Bank Deposits
Monetary Transactions
Gift Shop
Customer Sales
Offering Suggestions
Stock Merchandise
Credit Card Transactions

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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