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Mad about music? Got a passion for fashion? Want
a career working with the products you love? There’s
a lot more to working behind the counter than you
might think. Retail is now one of the most diverse
and exciting industries you could make a career
in. From visual merchandisers planning store window
displays, to marketing teams sorting out the distribution
of new albums. Over three million people work in
the 291,000 retail businesses that exist in the
UK.
A retail assistant is responsible for making
customers feel at ease when shopping and browsing
around
a store, directing them towards products and
accepting payments. Their work varies depending
on the type
of business and the size and structure of the
organisation, but generally includes:
- restocking shelves and making sure
merchandise is presented neatly
- greeting customers
and answering enquiries about products
- operating
computerised tills and barcode readers to scan
items
- accepting payments for goods and wrapping
items
- changing the layout and visual displays,
putting up new promotional material
- checking
for stock items and ordering goods.
Other duties could also include marking up
reductions, accepting deliveries
of new stock items, explaining
company finance options and operating
changing room facilities.
Full-time retail assistants usually work
37 to 40 hours a week over
five days. They may
work
variable shift patterns as
many retail stores are open in
the evenings, at weekends and
on bank holidays. Part-time work is widely
available.
Salaries range from between around £9,000
and £18,000 a year.
A retail assistant should:
- have an approachable, polite manner
- have good
communication skills
- have a smart personal
appearance
- possess good numeracy and keyboard
skills
- enjoy providing a good level of customer
service.
More than 1.8 million people are employed as
retail assistants
in the UK. Employers include High Street
chains, supermarkets,
wholesalers, local shops, farmers markets and market
stalls, offering a full spectrum of goods,
products and services.
Retail assistants with enthusiasm and
experience
can progress quickly to a team leader/supervisor
or store
management position. Some large retailers
offer fast-track
management schemes to retail
assistants.
Call us for further details on 0800 542 2848
or click here to complete our Learner's application form (will
open in a new window)
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