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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 can learn some of the skills you need for this job by doing a:

  • Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Retail Skills
  • 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 get into this job through a retailer 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 apply for permanent jobs after getting some experience from:

  • a temporary job in a store at busy periods, like Christmas
  • a weekend job

Volunteering

Getting experience volunteering in a charity shop will give you retail skills and could lead into paid work.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs. Employers may ask for some GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths. Retail or customer service experience will also be helpful.

More Information

Career tips

It will help if you:

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

Some stores, like mobile phone or DIY shops, may 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

In this role you could:

  • serve and advise customers
  • unpack and sort new stock deliveries
  • arrange goods in displays and on shelves
  • rotate and replace stock
  • promote products
  • take cash and card payments and make sure the till balances
  • handle customer returns, refund payments and log details on paper or computer
  • meet sales targets
  • keep the store clean and tidy

Working environment

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

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 departmental manager.

You may be able to gain further qualifications for these roles through higher level apprenticeships like a retail leadership degree apprenticeship.

You could specialise in customer services, visual merchandising or buying. You could also set up and run your own independent shop or stall.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Retail Sales Assistant Apprentice

  • Wage: £13,832.00 Annually
  • Location: ELMS FARM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, BEDFORD

Apprentice Retail Sales Assistant

  • Wage: £9,379.50 Annually
  • Location: Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Retail Certificate Level 1

  • Provider: GATEWAY SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: Leicester

CGLI L1 Cert in Retail Skills

  • Provider: NCG
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Find courses near you

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