what is a sales assistant?
As a sales assistant, you serve and assist customers in retail stores. You oversee the sale of products and services to ensure customer satisfaction. You also pay attention to the company's interests, like stock control, sales and maintaining brand reputation. Aside from interacting with customers in person, you may receive phone calls while working. During your interactions, you provide information about products or services and address customers' concerns.
Most sales assistants are employed in retail environments. As a sales assistant, you work in stores and wholesale suppliers. You can work in department stores, high-street chain shops, fast-food chains and fashion retailers. Whether you work in a department store or a fast-food chain, your responsibilities involve inventory management and assisting customers with purchases.
As a sales assistant, your job revolves around assisting customers. Hence, you require customer service skills to ensure customers receive adequate attention and have a pleasant shopping experience. Since you collaborate with sales associates and cashiers, you require good teamwork and interpersonal skills. Your communication skills help you communicate politely, confidently and professionally. You also require computer literacy to operate point-of-sale (POS) systems and inventory management systems at the retail store.
Would working as a sales assistant suit your customer service skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a sales assistant role.
sales assistant jobsaverage sales assistant salary
According to the Economic Research Institute, the average earnings of a sales assistant in Greece is €22,500 per year. You earn an average hourly rate of €11. Some companies offer benefits and additional perks; for instance, you can earn a yearly bonus of up to €390. Your salary in an entry-level position is €16,500 per year. Your earnings gradually increase while you gain experience and educational qualifications, and you take home about €26,500 per year.
factors affecting your salary as a sales assistant
As a sales assistant, you start with a low salary but have numerous opportunities for pay raises. For instance, your qualifications determine your earnings. When you have minimal qualifications, you start with a relatively low wage, but your compensation package improves significantly with additional certifications or vocational training. Your level of experience also determines your earnings. When you have less than a year or no experience, you earn an entry-level salary. When you have over five years of experience, your expertise improves your earning prospects.
The type of products you sell also influences your earnings. For example, if you sell technology or high-value items that require specialist knowledge and sales experience, you receive a higher salary compared to sales assistants selling fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Large retail stores also offer better wages and career progression opportunities than small retail stores.
types of sales assistants
Some of the various types of sales assistants include:
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stockers
As a stocker, you fill shelves in a retail store. You unpack stock and arrange the products on the shelves for customers. Aside from organising product displays, you rotate stock to ensure items on the shelves are not expired. You also clean up the shelves and answer questions from customers.
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floor workers
As a floor worker, you walk around the retail store assisting customers. You stay in a product section and answer any questions that customers have. You also inform customers of discounts available on some products.
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fashion sales assistants
As a fashion sales assistant, you work in a fashion department store selling jewellery, clothes or other fashion items. Your job is to advise customers on the sizes of clothes or shoes and offer styling guidance for events.
working as a sales assistant
Working as a sales assistant is the perfect way to start your career in the retail or sales industry. If you are interested in the role, check out the specific duties, tasks and work environments of sales assistants.
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what does a sales assistant do?
As a sales assistant, your duties and responsibilities vary depending on your employer. However, your typical tasks include:
- Assisting customers: as a sales assistant, you interact with customers directly and welcome them as they enter the store. You help them pick items from the shelves or explain the product information to help them make purchase decisions. You also answer customers’ inquiries, address concerns and assist with purchases over the phone.
- Processing customer orders: as a sales assistant, you process customer orders. When a customer makes an order online or through the phone, you receive and process the order. You handle the paperwork and ensure accurate and timely fulfilment. You enter the orders into the system and coordinate with the delivery team to ensure smooth delivery. For in-store purchases, you process cash and card transactions and package customer purchases.
- Restocking shelves: as a sales assistant, you ensure the shelves are fully stocked. You arrange products on shelves and prepare visual displays for promotional items. Aside from organising items, you clean and tidy the shelves. It is also important to rotate the products to ensure they don't expire on the shelves.
- Assisting in sales promotions at the store: as a sales assistant, you assist with organising promotional events at the retail store. You prepare the promotional material, update product information and set up displays. Since you welcome customers at the door, you inform them about the promotional events and find out if they are interested in participating.
- Follow-up and after-sales service: as a sales assistant, you follow up with customers to address issues and concerns. You also process order returns or refunds and maintain the store's POS and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
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work environment of a sales assistant
Sales assistants usually work indoors, although some sales assistants work outside if their store has an outdoor section. You spend your entire shift on your feet, even if you work behind a desk or cash register. Since you interact directly with customers, you usually don't work in a cubicle or office setting. Additionally, sales assistant jobs don't require travel, except for training. Most jobs offer online and in-person training to get you started. The work environments vary, but you usually work in well-lit buildings. You wear safety gear if you work in a store with loud or dangerous equipment.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer, you work alongside sales associates, receptionists and sales representatives. You collaborate with sales executives, marketing executives and marketing coordinators. You also work with customer service representatives, cashiers and accountants.
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sales assistant work schedule
Sales assistant jobs offer a combination of full-time and part-time positions. If you take an entry-level position in a retail store, you'll typically start with a part-time job and gradually advance to full-time. Part-time positions offer up to 39 hours, depending on the week. Some companies give you a certain number of hours weekly, but that's not the case for every store. Full-time positions offer 40 hours a week.
You might find a job with a regular shift, but sales assistants often take on late-night or early-morning hours. Your store may offer a shift schedule, which involves stocking shelves or interacting with customers coming in at odd hours. Part-time workers often get rotating shifts.
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career opportunities as a sales assistant
As long as businesses need to interact with customers, sales assistant positions will always exist. You can find a sales assistant job anywhere, even in small towns and rural areas. This means that this occupation has a relatively positive outlook. Small and large businesses are opening new locations every day, creating more jobs throughout the region. If you do well in your job, you're a good candidate for growth and advancement. Many people start out as entry-level sales assistants before becoming store managers.
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advantages of finding a job as a sales assistant through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- a range of jobs in your area
sales assistant skills and education
Sales assistant jobs don't require a tertiary education. Some of the requirements for becoming a sales assistant in Greece include:
- Education: get vocational training in marketing, business or a similar related field. Selling technical products may require higher education levels, like a bachelor's degree in information technology (IT) or another related field. Aside from building sales knowledge, you should also learn the technical aspects of products.
- Work experience: most employers offer on-the-job training to show you how the retail store works, but having prior experience in retail or sales improves your job prospects. You can find entry-level roles to help you learn the necessary skills.
competencies and characteristics of sales assistants
Some of the qualities necessary for sales assistants include:
- Customer service skills: as a sales assistant, you interact with customers and help them shop. You should be friendly and approachable to customers. Your customer service skills help you handle issues at the retail store and keep the customers happy.
- Interpersonal and communication skills: as a sales assistant, you require exceptional communication skills to interact effectively with customers and team members. Active listening skills help you understand customer needs and provide exceptional service.
- Sales skills: aside from helping customers, you also promote sales at the store. Your sales skills help you find upselling opportunities and promote products or services at the store.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a sales assistant.
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what are the duties of a sales assistant?
As a sales assistant, you welcome and serve customers in a retail store. You advise customers on the products to buy and inform them of any promotions available. You also handle complaints and process returns. Other duties include stocking shelves, cleaning the store and preparing promotional materials.
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what skills do you need to be a sales assistant?
As a sales assistant, you require exceptional customer service skills to provide the best service to customers. The ability to work well with others and communicate effectively helps you excel in the role.
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is sales assistant a good job?
Working as a sales assistant is a great way to join the retail or sales industry. Besides, with the increasing number of retail stores, the demand for sales assistants continues to expand. You also have good opportunities for career growth.
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what is the difference between a salesperson and a sales assistant?
A salesperson specialises in selling products or services to potential customers. As a sales assistant, you provide administrative support to salespeople. For instance, you process orders and organise delivery.
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how much is a sales assistant paid in Greece?
Sales assistants earn an average salary of €22,500 per year, equaling an hourly rate of approximately €11. Your earnings fluctuate based on various factors, including work experience and the type of products you sell. The highest-paid sales assistants earn about €26,500 per year.
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how do I find a job as a sales assistant?
Finding a job near you as a sales assistant is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Then log in or register an account to send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
