1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Sales assistant

Sales assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Shop assistant, sales person, store assistant, retail assistant, retail sales assistant

Sales assistants sell products and help customers.

Average salary (a year)

£13,000 Starter

to

£26,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a sales assistant

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need as a sales assistant.

You could do a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Retail Skills or a Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Sales Professional.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Retailer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a temporary sales assistant and work at the weekend or in a busy season like Christmas. 

You could then apply for a permanent role after getting some experience. 

Volunteering

You could volunteer in a charity shop to get some retail skills. This experience could help you to get paid work.

Direct Application

You could apply directly for sales assistant jobs. You might find it useful to have retail or customer service experience.

Some employers might want you to have some GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths. 

More Information

Career tips

When applying for sales assistant jobs, it might help if you:

  • are confident about selling
  • have a positive and helpful attitude
  • get on well with a range of customers

Some shops, like mobile phone or DIY shops, might expect you to have good knowledge of their products before you apply.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • persuading and negotiating skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be over 18 to sell alcohol and other restricted goods

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a sales assistant you could:

  • serve customers and handle any returns and refunds
  • unpack deliveries, stock shelves and arrange displays
  • rotate and replace stock
  • promote products to meet sales targets
  • keep the store clean and tidy

Working environment

You could work at a store, in a stock room or at a garden centre.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and crowded.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

  • become a retail supervisor, manager or department manager
  • gain further qualifications through a Retail Leadership Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • train to work in a specialised area of retail like an opticians through an Optical Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • specialise in customer services, visual merchandising or buying
  • start your own independent shop or stall

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Optical Assistant Apprenticeship - Barkingside, Specsavers.

  • Wage: £12,480.00 Annually
  • Location: Barkingside, Ilford

Apprentice Parts Advisor - Lexus Swindon Fish Bros

  • Wage: £10,982.40 Annually
  • Location: Bridgemead, Swindon
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a sales assistant?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.