Michigan Occupational Information System
 #108 - RETAIL SALES CLERK  

A Michigan Jobs & Career Portal    service.

Retail Sales Clerks, also called Salespersons, sell merchandise and perform other services in business establishments.  

JOB DUTIES

Retail Sales Clerks may:

Display or arrange merchandise on counters to promote sales  

Describe merchandise to customers  

Recommend merchandise to customers  

Demonstrate the use of an article  

Mark price tags  

Prepare sales and charge slips  

Receive cash or credit cards as payment for merchandise  

Stock shelves with merchandise  

Wrap or bag merchandise purchased by customers  

Keep records of sales  

Prepare an inventory of stock  

Clean shelves, counters, or tables as necessary  

Arrange displays  

The tools, equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Retail Sales Clerks may specialize in these areas:

290.477-014 SALES CLERKS may sell a wide variety of merchandise or specialize in selling only one type of merchandise. This will depend on the store or particular department in which they work.  

290.477-018 FOOD SALES CLERKS obtain or prepare food items such as groceries, produce, bakery goods, and meat and fish for customers in retail food stores.  

299.467-010 LAYAWAY CLERKS store and release merchandise in the layaway department of a retail store. They receive deposits, payments on account, and final payments and either release the merchandise to the customer or route it to the shipping or delivery department for packing and delivery.  

299.677-010 SALES ATTENDANTS assist customers in a self-service store by helping them find merchandise, directing them to fitting or dressing rooms, or by obtaining merchandise from the stockroom when it is not on the sales floor.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Retail Sales Clerks are in constant contact with other employees and customers and other employees. They work as team members with other salespersons, stock clerks, supervisors, or buyers. They are supervised by a department manager or store manager.  

Sales Clerks spend most of their time standing and walking. They usually work indoors behind a counter or on a sales floor. Most stores are well lighted, heated, ventilated, and air-conditioned.  

In some jobs, possible hazards including strains from lifting heavy items and falls from ladders, stools, and boxes of merchandise. Standing all day may be difficult for some people.  

Although slack periods and rush seasons occur, the work is steady and year round. During seasonal periods, such as Christmas, stores usually hire additional part-time Sales Clerks.  

Full-time employees usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week, including one or more evenings and weekend work. Part-time Clerks usually work during the busiest times that are weekends, lunch time, evenings. Employees are often scheduled for longer-than-normal workdays during particularly busy periods, such as the Christmas season.  

Some Sales Clerks belong to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Union members must pay dues.  

You Should Prefer:

• Having business contact with people  

• Handling money and working a cash register  

• Doing routine, organized work  

• Advising customers on their purchases  

You Should Be Able To:

• Demonstrate how articles work  

• Follow instructions  

• Be courteous and patient with customers  

• Be accurate and careful in all transactions  

• Use tact when dealing with people  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

The store you work for has necklaces on sale for $90 after a 30% discount. The customer comes in to return a necklace that has a defective clasp. The necklace was purchased before the sale, so you agree to refund 100% of the original price. What amount will you refund, not including tax?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read and comprehend retailing terminology such as, SKU, unit control, vendor, wholesale, model stock, fringe sizes, market price, real income, retail audit.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a sales invoice for a customer who has just purchased a gas grill.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Organizational skills and be detail oriented in keeping records of selling transactions. Should also demonstrate decision-making skills in handling customer complaints and questions.  

                                                                                                                           [back to top]

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 2200 MATH , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM***

010 BUSINESS SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY

Approved programs in the Business Services and Technology are a combination of programs in accounting and computing, business data processing, and secretarial programs. The "cluster" provides students with access to acquiring an employable skill for an occupation within the broad field of business and office.  

Courses in other business and office programs may be required for completion of this program.  

011 MARKETING EDUCATION

Approved vocational education programs in Marketing Education prepare students for occupations in moving industrial and consumer goods and providing services to users of those goods. These programs deal with marketing, sales, distribution, merchandising, and management. In addition, these programs provide instruction in buying, pricing, promoting, financing, storage, and market research.  

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:  

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

155 SALES TRAINING

Programs in Sales Training provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills useful for employment selling insurance, real estate, or other products and services in a variety of different business settings. Individuals who teach retailing at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.  

Courses within this program will vary from school to school but may include:

                 Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check Military website at http://www.myfuture.com .

STORE MANAGERS

The military operates retail stores for the convenience of service men and women. In some area, particularly overseas, the goods and services offered at military stores, laundries, and barbershops are not otherwise available. Store managers direct the operation of retail service, food, and merchandise outlets. They also manage personnel who store food, supplies, and equipment.  

What They Do

Store mangers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:  

• Direct personnel in purchasing, pricing, and selling food, supplies, and equipment  

• Direct personnel in receiving, storing, and issuing supplies and equipment  

• Supervise the inspection, care, and testing of products before their use or sale  

• Plan training programs for new workers  

• Direct inventory, accounting, and other record keeping activities  

• Plan and prepare store budgets  

Special Requirements

A 4-year college degree is normally required to enter this occupation.  

Helpful Attributes

Helpful fields of study include management, accounting, marketing, business administration, and industrial management. Helpful attributes include:  

• Interest in planning work schedules  

• Interest in managing a business  

• Interest in planning and directing work of others  

Work Environment

Store managers work in retail stores or warehouses on land and aboard ships.  

Training Provided

Job training consists of 5 to 10 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:  

• Accounting and record keeping  

• Inventory control  

• Retail store and warehouse management  

• Personnel and office administration  

• Budget management  

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian store mangers may work in many kinds of retail businesses. Some manage grocery, department, discount and other large stores. Others manage warehouses that receive, store, and issue merchandise and supplies for retail outlets. Civilian store managers perform duties similar to those performed in the military. They may also be called retail store managers and distribution warehouse managers.  

Opportunities

The services have about 1,000 store managers. On average, they need 70 new store mangers each year. After job training, store managers are assigned to supply, exchange, or food service units. With experience, they may advance to senior management and command positions.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

                                                                                                                 [back to top]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Secondary vocational education programs in marketing education and business services and technology as well as postsecondary programs in sales training may offer co-op or work experience opportunities. Summer and part-time work, especially with larger department stores, are another way to explore this occupation. Experience may also be gained in military service.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Retail Sales Clerk employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Retail Sales Clerk employer  

community service work with an agency  

Persons usually find positions as Retail Sales Clerks through direct application to Retailers. Some also find jobs through involvement in co-op programs. Assistance may be available through local offices of Michigan Works!, school placement offices, local unions, or newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Classifieds Employment  

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

                                                                                                                   [back to top]

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

A Sales Clerk's earnings depend on the product sold, the size of the business, the amount of sales commission, and the union affiliation. If a commission is paid by the employer, earnings can be greatly affected by the selling skills of the Sales Clerk.  

Nationally, Sales Clerks starting in routine jobs generally earned at least the federal minimum wage ($5.15) in 1999. The median weekly incomes of Retail Sales Clerks were about $312 or $7.80 per hour (1998). Many Sales Clerks receive a commission on merchandise sold in addition to their wages.  

Wages of Retail Sales Clerks in Michigan are comparable to those earned nationally. The 1997 graduates of Michigan vocational education programs who were working in jobs related to this occupation in 1998 earned a beginning average of $7.05 per hour. Some unionized Retail Sales Clerks may also receive a cost-of-living allowance.  

In early 1999, Retail Sales Clerks in the Detroit metropolitan area with little experience earned estimated average entry-level salaries of $17,102 per year (or $8.22 per hour). Those Clerks with considerable experience earned approximately $22,873 annually (or $11.00 per hour).  

Most salespersons receive discounts of between 10% and 30% of their purchases. Some stores, especially large ones, pay a portion of employee costs for life, hospitalization, and medical insurance and retirement plans. Some employees receive paid vacations and sick leave.  

Some employers may offer stock purchase or savings plans for salaried employees.  

Advancement opportunities in smaller stores are somewhat limited. In larger stores workers may advance to positions as department head, area manager or department head, assistant buyer or assistant manager, or manager. Advancement possibilities in a retail store depend on length of service with the company and whether Clerks have demonstrated the ability to handle supervisory and other responsible positions.  

Opportunities often depend more on initiative and sales ability than on level of education, although college training may be encouraged for some positions. Employers usually prefer high school graduates for sales jobs.  

                                                                                                                                 [back to top]

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, an estimated 3,139,100 Retail Sales Clerks were employed in 1996. Employment in this occupation is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006. About 4.0% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Retail Sales Clerks looked like this:  

Longer store hours and shorter working hours for employees is expected to create a need for salespeople, especially part-time workers. Non-store retailing such as home shopping sales via cable television, home computer-assisted buying programs, and mail order purchases, will find consumer acceptance, especially where the service fits the needs of the purchaser. This trend may have a limiting impact on job growth opportunities for Retail Sales Clerks.  

There are approximately 130,700 retail sales persons, including Sales Clerks, employed in Michigan.  

Employment of Retail Sales Clerks is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 5,140 openings is expected annually, with 1,210 due to growth and 3,930 to replacement of those who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. High turnover, increased sales, new stores, and the trend for stores to remain open longer will help to increase the number of openings available. The outlook is best for skilled Sales Clerks.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005  

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.