What does a retail sales specialist do?

A retail sales specialist is responsible for selling goods and services and providing the best customer service for the consumers. Retail sales specialists assist the customers on the floor, directing them to the area of their needs, and recommending them products according to their budget limitations. They also ensure the adequacy of stock levels, remove outdated products, and refill items as necessary. A retail sales specialist also supports in resolving complaints, such as replacing items and processing refunds as necessary.
Retail sales specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real retail sales specialist resumes:
- Master delivering technical product information to doctors on training and teaching proper injection technique to achieve optimal results for patients.
- Store inventories and cataloging of auto parts.
- Maintain cleanliness and presentation of stock room and retail floor.
- Assist customers in finding products, while cross-selling other products.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the store, snack area and bathroom.
- Mentor team - introducing apple culture to new employees and training for new product launches.
- Sell in new products, place POS materials, tag and rotate products according to schematics.
- Train new hires in how to operate POS system as well as conducting the correct sales processes
- Implement an improve change management process which include setup up of continuous integration.
- Communicate all policy and procedure violations to management, prepare detailed memos outlining the issues.
- Deliver consistently strong results in identifying and capitalizing on cross-selling opportunities to advance corporate-define marketing campaigns and effectively increase revenue streams.
- Identify and contact prospects for desktop virtualization, green computing, product upgrades, and technology refresh.
- Present PowerPoint presentations and financial analysis to store managers and key decision makers.
- Collaborate with board members to prepare PowerPoint presentations and other written reports and present concepts to management.
Retail sales specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Retail Sales Specialists are proficient in Retail Sales, POS, and Store Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Persistence, and Selling skills.
We break down the percentage of Retail Sales Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Retail Sales, 19%
Worked closely with the Professional Regional Managers and Professional Sales to promote retail sales and implement retail oriented programs throughout territory.
- POS, 11%
Reported accurate end-of-day settlement of transactions, using QuickBooks POS Retail (Point-Of-Sale) software and Microsoft Outlook.
- Store Management, 9%
Negotiated with store management to achieve win-win results and develop strong customer relationships.
- Retail Store, 7%
Attended trade shows; set up displays at retail stores and trained dealers on point of purchase marketing material.
- Inventory Management, 6%
Assisted in inventory management and organization by pricing and placing products.
- Brand Awareness, 5%
Created brand awareness by administering training to Sales Associates and Cosmetics Managers.
Common skills that a retail sales specialist uses to do their job include "retail sales," "pos," and "store management." You can find details on the most important retail sales specialist responsibilities below.
Math skills. The most essential soft skill for a retail sales specialist to carry out their responsibilities is math skills. This skill is important for the role because "retail sales workers must have the ability to calculate price totals, discounts, and change owed to customers." Additionally, a retail sales specialist resume shows how their duties depend on math skills: "analyzed sales statistics in order to increase productivity in the retail stores. "
Persistence. Another essential skill to perform retail sales specialist duties is persistence. Retail sales specialists responsibilities require that "a large number of attempted sales may not be successful, so sales workers should not be discouraged easily." Retail sales specialists also use persistence in their role according to a real resume snippet: "cultivated relationships nationally and internationally applying persistence and consultative sales techniques. "
Selling skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of retail sales specialists is selling skills. This skill is critical to many everyday retail sales specialist duties, as "retail sales workers must be persuasive when interacting with customers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintain a professional appearance and exude leadership in every setting, assisted team members on useful sales techniques. "
Interpersonal skills. retail sales specialist responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "a friendly and outgoing personality is important for these workers because the job requires almost constant interaction with people." This resume example shows what retail sales specialists do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "used business and interpersonal skills to increase sales and revenue for the shop. "
Customer-service skills. A commonly-found skill in retail sales specialist job descriptions, "customer-service skills" is essential to what retail sales specialists do. Retail sales specialist responsibilities rely on this skill because "retail sales workers must be responsive to the wants and needs of customers." You can also see how retail sales specialist duties rely on customer-service skills in this resume example: "use consultative sales techniques to determine customers' needs and objectives and recommend appropriate products. "
The three companies that hire the most retail sales specialists are:
- O'Reilly Auto Parts1,166 retail sales specialists jobs
- Zumiez291 retail sales specialists jobs
- Spectrum261 retail sales specialists jobs
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Retail sales specialist vs. Sales clerk
A sales clerk is responsible for assisting customers in purchasing products, responding to customer inquiries, and providing product recommendations. Sales clerks require excellent customer service and communication skills to offer the best services to the customers and maintain good customer feedback for the business. They also check inventories, request supplies as needed, and organize product displays on the appropriate shelves. A sales clerk must have strong verbal communication skills to manage customer concerns and excellent time-management skills to perform tasks within the fast-paced work environment.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between retail sales specialists and sales clerk. For instance, retail sales specialist responsibilities require skills such as "store management," "brand awareness," "client relationships," and "increase sales." Whereas a sales clerk is skilled in "sales transactions," "store policies," "store displays," and "professional selling." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Sales clerks really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $28,784. Comparatively, retail sales specialists tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $44,195.sales clerks tend to reach similar levels of education than retail sales specialists. In fact, sales clerks are 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Retail sales specialist vs. Seasonal sales representative
Usually working on a contractual basis, a seasonal sales representative serves as the clients' point of contact in businesses. They typically offer products and services through calls and correspondence, arrange appointments, discuss promotions, explain product specifications and pricing, negotiate contracts, arrange payment plans, and build positive relationships with clients. Moreover, a seasonal sales representative must perform research and analysis to identify business and client opportunities, generate leads, and develop sales strategies while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that retail sales specialist responsibilities requires skills like "store management," "retail store," "inventory management," and "brand awareness." But a seasonal sales representative might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "sales transactions," "seasonal sales," "seasonal position," and "loss prevention."
Seasonal sales representatives earn a lower average salary than retail sales specialists. But seasonal sales representatives earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $41,794. Additionally, retail sales specialists earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $44,195 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Seasonal sales representatives tend to reach similar levels of education than retail sales specialists. In fact, they're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Retail sales specialist vs. Retail clerk
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.
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 sales specialist resumes include skills like "store management," "brand awareness," "client relationships," and "increase sales," whereas a retail clerk is more likely to list skills in "groceries," "basic math," "math," and "ladders. "
Retail clerks earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $30,316. Retail sales specialists earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $44,195.When it comes to education, retail clerks tend to earn similar degree levels compared to retail sales specialists. In fact, they're 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Retail sales specialist 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between retail sales specialists and sales associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a retail sales specialist might have more use for skills like "store management," "brand awareness," "client relationships," and "increase sales." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of sales associates require skills like "cash handling," "loss prevention," "basic math," and "math. "
Sales associates enjoy the best pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $31,917. For comparison, retail sales specialists earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.In general, sales associates hold similar degree levels compared to retail sales specialists. Sales associates are 2.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of retail sales specialist
Updated January 8, 2025











