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 representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

  • 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

Some of the skills we found on retail clerk resumes included "stock shelves," "groceries," and "retail sales." We have detailed the most important retail clerk responsibilities below.

  • Arguably the most important personality trait for a retail clerk to have happens to be interpersonal skills. An example from a resume said this about the skill, "a friendly and outgoing personality is important for these workers because the job requires almost constant interaction with people." Additionally, other resumes have pointed out that retail clerks can use interpersonal skills to "displayed expert interpersonal talents while processing customer sales. "
  • While it may not be the most important skill, we found that many retail clerk duties rely on math skills. This example from a retail clerk explains why: "retail sales workers must have the ability to calculate price totals, discounts, and change owed to customers." This resume example is just one of many ways retail clerks are able to utilize math skills: "maintained clean department, provided quick and quality customerservice, had to work well with math. "
  • Selling skills is also an important skill for retail clerks to have. This example of how retail clerks use this skill comes from a retail clerk resume, "retail sales workers must be persuasive when interacting with customers" Read this excerpt from a resume to understand how vital it is to their everyday roles and responsibilities, "use proper sales techniques to achieve sales goals and contribute to the profitability of retail outlet. "
  • In order for certain retail clerk responsibilities to be completed, the job requires the skill "customer-service skills." According to a retail clerk resume, "retail sales workers must be responsive to the wants and needs of customers" As an example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies: "insured learned any new or improved sales techniques which will help me provide the best customer service experience. "
  • See the full list of retail clerk skills.

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    What Sales Associates Do

    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.

    In this section, we compare the average retail clerk annual salary with that of a sales associate. Typically, sales associates earn a $2,121 higher salary than retail clerks earn annually.

    While their salaries may differ, one common ground between retail clerks and sales associates are a few of the skills required in each craft. In both careers, employees bring forth skills like stock shelves, groceries, and retail sales.

    These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. A retail clerk responsibility is more likely to require skills like "punctuality," "good communication," "display merchandise," and "maple." Whereas a sales associate requires skills like "cash handling," "cleanliness," "cash control," and "clean store." Just by understanding these different skills you can see how different these careers are.

    Sales associates tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry by averaging a salary of $31,917. In contrast, retail clerks make the biggest average salary of $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.

    What Are The Duties Of a 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.

    Now we're going to look at the store associate profession. On average, store associates earn a $503 lower salary than retail clerks a year.

    Not everything about these jobs is different. Take their skills, for example. Retail clerks and store associates both include similar skills like "stock shelves," "groceries," and "product knowledge" on their resumes.

    In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are 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 might be skilled 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. There are industries that support higher salaries in each profession respectively. Interestingly enough, store associates earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $29,472. Whereas, retail clerks have higher paychecks in the manufacturing industry where they earn an average of $30,316.

    When it comes to the differences in education between the two professions, 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.

    How a Jewelry Sales Associate Compares

    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.

    The third profession we take a look at is jewelry sales associate. On an average scale, these workers bring in higher salaries than retail clerks. In fact, they make a $1,456 higher salary per year.

    By looking over several retail clerks and jewelry sales associates resumes, we found that both roles utilize similar skills, such as "stock shelves," "retail sales," and "product knowledge." But beyond that the careers look very different.

    Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from retail clerk resumes include skills like "groceries," "basic math," "math," and "ladders," whereas a jewelry sales associate might be skilled in "strong customer service," "sales associates," "display cases," and "customer assistance. "

    When it comes to education, jewelry sales associates tend to earn similar education levels than 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.

    Description Of a 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.

    Sales floor associates tend to earn a lower pay than retail clerks by about $5,273 per year.

    According to resumes from both retail clerks and sales floor associates, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "stock shelves," "product knowledge," and "pos. "

    While some skills are shared by these professions, there are some differences to note. "groceries," "retail sales," "basic math," and "customer satisfaction" are skills that have shown up on retail clerks resumes. Additionally, sales floor associate uses skills like home health, back room, front end, and pallet jack on their resumes.

    In general, sales floor associates reach similar levels of education when compared to retail clerks resumes. Sales floor associates are 1.0% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

    What a Retail Clerk Does FAQs

    How Much Do Kroger Retail Clerks Make?

    Kroger retail clerks make an average of $11 an hour. If working full-time, a Kroger retail clerk can expect to make about $22,000 a year, which is less than half the national average salary.

    What Are Retail Job Duties?

    Retail job duties primarily involve customer service. Retail workers would welcome customers, help them find anything they need in the store, answer any questions they might have, and charge them for the products they decide to buy.

    What Does A Retail Clerk Do At Kroger?

    At Kroger, a retail clerk assists with maintenance, helps customers get the best shopping experience at the store, packs and offload items, takes inventory and reports damaged goods, and assists the other grocery workers whenever needed.

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