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Store Associate Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Store Associate, or Store Clerk, is someone who works in a retail store and assists customers with their shopping needs. The main responsibilities of a Store Associate include providing excellent customer service, making sure the floor is kept in good condition, and operating the cash register.

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Store Associate duties and responsibilities

When writing a job description for a Store Associate, it’s important to specify the duties and responsibilities required to excel in the role, including: 

  • Greeting customers in a friendly manner and helping them with their inquiries
  • Answering customer questions regarding merchandising, pricing, and promotions
  • Processing daily shipments, the organization and the set-up of the retail area
  • Making sure all inventory is processed, priced, and put away
  • Assisting customers with finding clothing sizes or the right product
  • Ensuring store conditions are consistently upheld to company standards
  • Completing sales by accepting cash, credit cards, or debit payment while ensuring the accuracy of transactions
  • Working with store management to devise ways to maximize store sales
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Store Associate Job Description Examples:

What does a Store Associate do?

A Store Associate works for a retail company either full-time or part-time. The hours they work can vary, based on the needs of the store. A Store Associate will make sure the product is always well-stocked on the floor and kept in excellent condition. The roles of a Store Associate can change based on the industry or type of retail store they work in. A Store Associate makes sure customers are able to find what they are looking for and provides the best shopping experience possible. Cleaning is also often a key responsibility of a Store Associate. They are also sometimes responsible for ordering more inventory.

Store Associate skills and qualifications

A successful Store Associate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications required for the duties of this job, including: 

  • Ability to work in fast-paced environments
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Ability to interpret the needs of customers and offer appropriate options and solutions
  • Ability to work independently and as a team
  • Excellent conflict resolution skills
  • Ability to prioritize tasks
  • Strong attention to detail

Store Associate experience requirements

Successful job candidates are often not required to have any prior experience. This is especially true if there will be on-the-job training provided. However, when experience is required, then one to two years is generally considered appropriate. Experience can also be in the form of any customer service or customer-facing role.

Sales Associate training and education requirements

A Store Associate will usually have at least a high school diploma. It is not uncommon for applicants to also hold a university degree or college diploma. Successful job applicants may also have additional vocational certifications.

Sales Associate salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Sales Associate is $14.97 per hour. Wages can vary depending on experience, location, or the company that is hiring.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Store Associate is not what you are looking for, other related job descriptions include: 

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Store Associate job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Store Associate and a Store Manager?

In most organizations, a Store Associate reports to the Store Manager. A Store Associate takes on a lot of the day-to-day duties of working specifically with customers. Store Associates will also help answer any questions or concerns customers may have. In some cases, if the Store Associate cannot resolve a conflict with a customer, the Store Manager will step in. Store Managers are also responsible for creating schedules for Store Associates. Store Managers will typically be responsible for opening and closing a retail location daily as well.

Do Store Associates have different responsibilities in different industries?

Typically, the main responsibilities of a Store Associate remain the same in different industries. There are some cases where these could vary, such as in the automotive industry or cosmetics. Some industries may require Store Associates to go through additional training.

What should you look for in a Store Associate resume?

A good resume should have previous customer service, ideally in a similar industry to the one listed in the job description. When looking at resumes, be sure to keep a look out for additional vocational training. Also keep an eye out for a job applicant who can speak French or another language prominent near the store’s location.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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