Read on to see how to get retail experience
If you’re interested in growing a career in the retail industry, there are many retail jobs that will be the perfect fit for you. As an entry-level retail worker, you can gain the skills you need to thrive in your career. Even with the rise of e-commerce, there are many in-store retail jobs hiring across the country. Below, we share what you need to know about becoming a retail worker, including wages, general duties and career outlook.
What is a retail worker?
Retail workers play a critical role in ensuring that stores and shops run smoothly and provide a positive shopping experience for customers. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including customer service, sales, merchandising, and store maintenance.
What does a retail worker do?
Retail workers perform a range of tasks to ensure the smooth operation of retail establishments. So, what do you do in retail? A retail worker job description could include:
- Assist customers in locating products, processing payments and completing purchases
- Working closely with customers to determine their needs and answering their questions about products
- Recommending the right products or services to customers
- Resolving customer complaints and ensuring maximum client satisfaction
- Maintaining tidiness and appearance by keeping the sales floor and other areas clean and organized
Why do you want to work retail?
A retail job can serve as a great entry point into the workforce, providing valuable work experience that can help you explore different career paths. These jobs often offer flexible schedules, which can be great for students, working parents or those with other commitments.
How much does a retail worker make in a year?
The median hourly wage for retail salespersons was $13.02 in May 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which comes out to $27,320 a year. This does not include management or supervisory positions.
Pay will also vary by industry and location. For example, wages are generally higher with retailers like jewelry stores and high-end department stores. Wages for retail jobs tend to be higher in major metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Baltimore compared to smaller cities.
Where do retail workers work?
Retail workers work in department stores, malls, hotel gift shops and many other locations. Working in retail involves many duties and responsibilities in different parts of the store, including the stock room, customer service desk and more.
What qualifications are necessary for retail workers?
If you want to work retail, there are no formal education requirements. Most receive on-the-job training, which usually lasts a few days to a few months. Basic math skills are also important in most retail roles.
What are the most important retail skills and traits?
The skills needed to work in retail may vary. First, you should have the flexibility to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. They also need strong communication skills and a positive attitude. They must learn quickly about the retailer’s products as well as customer needs.
What’s the job outlook for retail work?
Overall employment of retail sales workers is projected to show little or no change from 2020 to 2030, according to the BLS. About 594,400 job openings for retail workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. As the e-commerce sector grows, so do the number of jobs available in the retail industry. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation, the retail industry supports 1 in 4 American jobs.
PeopleReady shows you how to get a job in retail
Retailers in malls, hotels, department stores and other locations need retail workers like you to ensure an exceptional customer experience. What are retail jobs in your area? Some retail jobs available with PeopleReady right now include:
- Cashiers
- Customer service representatives
- Merchandisers
- Store update assistants
- Pickers and packers
- And more!
If you’re interested in how to get a retail job, get more information about working with PeopleReady here. We can show you how to get employed in retail stores and many other businesses in your local area. You can also search for retail jobs right now via our website or through our app, JobStack, which is available 24/7.
