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Retail Sales Associate Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated October 8, 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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6 min read

A Retail Sales Associate, or Sales Associate, is someone who ensures all retail sales functions are carried out in an efficient and timely manner. A Retail Sales Associate’s main responsibilities include talking to customers to ensure they find everything they need, replenishing the stock on the floor, and cashing customers out at the register.

Retail Sales Associate duties and responsibilities

When writing a job description for a Retail Sales Associate, it is important to specify the role’s main functions. Some of the most important duties and responsibilities for a Retail Sales Associate include:

  • Creating a welcoming environment by greeting all customers as they walk through the doors
  • Providing excellent customer service by ensuring the customer takes priority and answering any questions they have
  • Maximizing sales opportunities to achieve store targets
  • Maintaining consistent visual merchandising and housekeeping standards at all times
  • Ensuring adherence to operating and security procedures at all times
  • Keeping knowledge up-to-date of all collections, product information, promotions, and rewards programs at all times
  • Executing opening and closing procedures

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Retail Sales Associate Job Description Examples:

Example 1

The UPS Store provides different services such as printing, shipping, mailbox rentals and many more business and personal services to our clients. Our store is a fast paced environment and we try our best to keep our customers happy.

Job Summary:

To ensure an intimate The UPS Store customer experience with each client by providing efficient and effective services to meet and exceed expectations.

We are looking for an organized, quick-learner, and detail-oriented associate. You need to operate with minimum instructions. We are not looking for short-time employees.

Qualifications:

Perfect communication skills; retail sales/customer service experience; good computer skills.

Job Requirements:

Ability to lift approx. 35 pounds with assistance

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

- Smile. Greet customers and determine how to exceed their expectations.
- Receive, sort and place mails in mailbox accurately.
- Record all sales transactions on POS with cash, cheque, and debit/credit card.
- Receive and process packages for couriers (UPS, DHL, etc).
- Pack contents for shipping using established procedures and products.
- Operate copiers/printers, fax, binding/finishing equipment etc.
- Close out cash at end of day including: reconciliation of cash, cheques, credit/debit cards.
- General housekeeping.
- All other duties as assigned.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: From $16.00 per hour

Additional pay:
  • Bonus pay
  • Overtime pay
Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift

COVID-19 considerations:
Common Surfaces are sanitized regularly.

Shift Shift (preferred)

Example 2

THE SALES Associate ACTS as a point of contact for our customers. The duties of sales associate include assisting customers in locating and purchasing merchandise, operating the cash register, stocking merchandise, recovering merchandise, cleaning the store, and performing other duties as assigned by the store Manger to maximize the store profitability and customer satisfaction while protecting company assets.

Duties and functions

provide excellent customer service, greet and assist customers

operate cash register and scanner to itemize and total customer’s purchase, collect payment from customer’s and make change, bag merchandise, ans assist customer’s with merchandise as necessary

follow company merchandise processes; unpack, stock, restock, and rotate merchandise on shelves and build merchandise display.

clean the store, take out trash, dust and mop store floors, clean restroom and receiving room,

Knowledge skills

effective interpersonal and oral communication skills

understanding safety policies and practices

knowledge of basic cash handling procedures.

 basic mathematical skills

ability to perform cash register functions

ability to stock merchandise.

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: $15.50 per hour

Day range:
  • Monday to Friday
  • Weekend availability
Shift:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Night School (preferred)

Example 3

We are looking for someone who:

· Likes talking to people and genuinely enjoys helping others

· Is competitive by nature and loves the challenge of hitting targets

· Enjoys discovering or learning something new

· Thrives in a fast-paced environment and embraces change

If this sounds like you, apply now, and join our award-winning retail sales team at Virgin Plus!

What’s in it for you?

· Competitive hourly wage plus uncapped commission

· Full benefits package, even for part time employees

· Great incentives, rewards, trips, paid vacation and employee discounts on services

· Opportunity for career growth, development and promotions

· We also provide a flexible schedule that offers Full and Part Time hours

What’s the gig?

· Provide tailored solutions and fabulous experiences to our members

· Be an excellent listener and communicator

· Meet and exceed monthly sales targets

· Always be learning and adapting to change

· Be a team player by supporting and being there to help your team

You’ll be a perfect fit if you:

· Love helping others to find the best solutions

· Get satisfaction through achieving sales targets

· Have excellent listening and communication skills

· Are passionate about the latest technology

· Experience in Retail Sales, Customer Service or Hospitality is a definite asset

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: From $15.00 per hour

Additional pay:
  • Commission pay
Benefits:
  • Dental care
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Extended health care
  • Life insurance
  • RRSP match
  • Vision care
Schedule:
  • Holidays
  • Monday to Friday
  • Weekend availability

Application question(s):
  • Are you at least 17 years of age?
  • Are you available to work a minimum of 20 hours over a 4 day period during the days and / or evenings per week?
  • Are you legally authorized to work for Bell in Canada?

Experience:
  • Sales: 1 year service: 1 year (required)
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What does a Retail Sales Associate do?

A Retail Sales Associate spends a lot of their time talking to customers to make sure they are finding everything they need and answering any questions they might have. Often a Retail Sales Associate will have a sales target they need to meet as a part of their role. A Retail Sales Associate is also responsible for learning about new products or promotions the company has. Another key responsibility is making sure the store is kept clean and presentable at all times.

Retail Sales Associate skills and qualifications

A successful Retail Sales Associate candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications required for the duties of the job, including:

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Sales-driven and goal-oriented attitude
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Basic computer skills and the ability to use a point-of-sale system
  • Ability to build relationships with customers
  • Adjust quickly to changing priorities and conditions

Retail Sales Associate experience requirements

Generally, Retail Sales Associate candidates will have at least one year of experience in retail sales. However, if on-the-job training is to be provided, then previous experience may not be required. An ideal Retail Sales Associate candidate will have some experience in a sales or customer service role.

Retail Sales Associate education and training requirements

Many Retail Sales Associate candidates may have, or be in the process of obtaining, a high school diploma. Some candidates may also have a four-year college degree or a bachelor’s degree in business or sales from an accredited university.

Retail Sales Associate salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, average pay for a Retail Sales Associate in Canada is $15.59 per hour. Wages can vary depending on many factors, including experience, location, and the hiring company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Retail Sales Associate isn’t quite what you are looking for, other related job description samples include:

Create a culture of innovation
Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
Get the guide

Retail Sales Associate job description FAQs

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Job Description Examples

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