What does a retail clerk do?
A retail clerk is responsible for selling goods and services to the customers, recommending products based on their needs, and responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns about the product. Retail clerks assist with the store's marketing strategies, organize product displays, monitor inventories, endorse promotional discounts, and help customers on their checkout payments. A retail clerk must have excellent communication and customer service skills to handle customers' requests and ensure their highest satisfaction.
Retail clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real retail clerk resumes:
- Accomplish upselling goals to contribute to company's success.
- Handle sales and returns through a POS software system and inventory database, and train new employees on the same tools.
- Collect and process payments including accurate maintenance of sales register and jewelry inventory following close of daily business.
- Provide excellent customer service while upselling promotional products
Retail clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 31% of Retail Clerks are proficient in Stock Shelves, Groceries, and Retail Sales. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Math skills, and Selling skills.
We break down the percentage of Retail Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Stock Shelves, 31%
Exhibit excellent customer service * Restock shelves and inventory products * Exhibit excellent salesmanship
- Groceries, 21%
Assisted customers in locating items, bagging groceries and carry-outs.
- Retail Sales, 6%
Worked summers involving retail sales, customer services, inventory management and computer involvement
- Product Knowledge, 6%
Aided customers by investigating their product needs, providing product knowledge and making product recommendations.
- Basic Math, 5%
Used basic Math Skills and excellent interpersonal communication-Effectively managed my time and prioritized tasks-Strong product knowledge and understanding of target customers.
- POS, 4%
Assisted customers with returns* Answered telephone inquiries from customers*Provided great customer service for walk- in customers*Operated cash register, POS
Common skills that a retail clerk uses to do their job include "stock shelves," "groceries," and "retail sales." You can find details on the most important retail clerk responsibilities below.
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a retail clerk to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what retail clerks do because "a friendly and outgoing personality is important for these workers because the job requires almost constant interaction with people." Additionally, a retail clerk resume shows how retail clerks use interpersonal skills: "displayed expert interpersonal talents while processing customer sales. "
Math skills. Many retail clerk duties rely on math skills. "retail sales workers must have the ability to calculate price totals, discounts, and change owed to customers.," so a retail clerk will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways retail clerk responsibilities rely on math skills: "maintained clean department, provided quick and quality customerservice, had to work well with math. "
Selling skills. This is an important skill for retail clerks to perform their duties. For an example of how retail clerk responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "retail sales workers must be persuasive when interacting with customers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a retail clerk: "use proper sales techniques to achieve sales goals and contribute to the profitability of retail outlet. ".
Customer-service skills. For certain retail clerk responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "customer-service skills." The day-to-day duties of a retail clerk rely on this skill, as "retail sales workers must be responsive to the wants and needs of customers." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what retail clerks do: "insured learned any new or improved sales techniques which will help me provide the best customer service experience. "
The three companies that hire the most retail clerks are:
- Bridgestone519 retail clerks jobs
- Cracker Barrel101 retail clerks jobs
- Zumiez98 retail clerks jobs
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Compare different retail clerks
Retail clerk vs. Sales associate
Sales associates are responsible for promoting the company's goods or services. They are expected to provide exceptional customer service to prospective buyers. They should be familiar with all features of the company's products or services so that they can answer the customers' inquiries. Sales associates also assist customers in processing their checkouts, refunds, returns, and other needs. They should be customer-oriented, and they should have great communication skills. They should know how to sell their products or services to customers. They are considered the company's representatives on the ground.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a retail clerk are more likely to require skills like "punctuality," "good communication," "display merchandise," and "maple." On the other hand, a job as a sales associate requires skills like "cash handling," "cleanliness," "cash control," and "clean store." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Sales associates tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $31,917. In contrast, retail clerks make the biggest average salary, $30,316, in the manufacturing industry.On average, sales associates reach similar levels of education than retail clerks. Sales associates are 0.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Retail clerk vs. Store associate
A store associate is responsible for assisting customers with the products they need and recommending alternative goods that would fit their budget. Sales associates also market promotional offers and provide product descriptions to the customer. They also monitor inventories, stock supplies on the appropriate shelves, and ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the store. Store associates also perform other administrative tasks as needed, such as creating sales reports, assisting in the counter, and helping customers on carrying their items.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, retail clerk responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "retail sales," "retail environment," "punctuality," and "floor stock." Meanwhile, a store associate has duties that require skills in areas such as "compassion," "cleanliness," "strong customer service," and "front end." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, store associates earn a lower salary than retail clerks. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, store associates earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $29,472. Whereas retail clerks have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $30,316.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Store associates tend to reach similar levels of education than retail clerks. In fact, they're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Retail clerk vs. Jewelry sales associate
A jewelry sales associate is in charge of assisting clients when purchasing jewelry, ensuring customer satisfaction. They primarily greet potential clients, identify their needs and preferences, answer inquiries, and offer advice when needed. A jewelry sales associate may also help clients when trying on the products, close sales, and even arrange payment plans. Furthermore, as a jewelry sales associate, it essential to keep the sales floor presentable and secure, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from retail clerk resumes include skills like "groceries," "basic math," "math," and "ladders," whereas a jewelry sales associate is more likely to list skills in "strong customer service," "sales associates," "display cases," and "customer assistance. "
When it comes to education, jewelry sales associates tend to earn similar degree levels compared to retail clerks. In fact, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Retail clerk vs. Sales floor associate
Salesfloor associates often work with retail establishments. They are either referred to as retail sales associates or retail associates. These associates greet customers as they arrive, assess their needs, and help them find the right products and services. Other responsibilities include operating cash registers, introducing customers to promotions and opportunities, and cross-selling products to increase sales. Also, they assist customers in getting their complaints resolved as well as with their returns and refunds. Job seekers must have excellent customer service skills, relevant retail experience, and a strong knowledge of selling techniques.
Types of retail clerk
Updated January 8, 2025
