What skills do retail staff typically need?
The following are probably the most common skills sought by retailers:
Communication
Retail staff’s primary role is to help customers to buy products. Skills are therefore typically centred on the broad spectrum of communication. A good retail employee will be able to communicate to a customer well, while understanding their needs.
Communication skills are also important in higher-ranking roles within the retail sector, not just for front-facing sales assistant or managerial positions.
Multi-tasking
A good retail employee is not purely concerned with communicating with the customer. They will also be focused on maintaining the day-to-day running of the store, for example, whichcontributes towards a positive customer experience.
Literacy and numeracy skills
Retail employees will also need some degree of numerical skills to understand sales forecasts and targets. Similarly, it’s important for retail employees to have a reasonable grasp of verbal comprehension to grasp internal communications.
Merchandising
It’s easy to see merchandising as merely stocking shelves and arranging products in an attractive way. However, understanding your points of sale and how it can add value to customer experience is a significant part of the buying process.
To be an effective merchandiser, it is necessary to be aware of sales targets, figures and predictions, as well as being alert to outside influences that may sway consumers in a particular way. News items or the weather can play a specific part in a fluctuating sales environment.
Product knowledge
If you are to be an exemplary and valued member of a retail team, it is vital that you have great product knowledge. Being able to show this within your application will help to make you stand out from other candidates.
Software knowledge
Point of Sales systems, or POS, are software systems that allow a member of retail staff to process transactions. Some companies employ several different types of POS technology. You may come across questions specifically referring to POS systems, so be prepared to demonstrate some level of familiarity with them.