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Shop Assistant Job Description

What does a Shop Assistant do?

A Shop Assistant job is in the retail industry. Shop Assistant responsibilities include greeting customers, processing sales transactions, and visual merchandising. Shop Assistants report to a Retail Supervisor or Departmental Manager.

Our Shop Assistant job description includes the Shop Assistant responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Shop Assistant Example


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If you need an example job description for a Shop Assistant download the one below, alternatively we have many other Retail job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Shop Assistant do?

Also known as store assistants, retail sales assistants, and sales assistants, shop assistants work in the retail industry where they are responsible for serving customers and processing sales transactions. They also restock shelves, resolve customer complaints, and ensure that the sales floor is well-maintained.

Shop Assistant Role

We are seeking an approachable, friendly and professional individual to work as a Shop Assistant in our retail space. You will greet customers, assist with product enquiries and help people find the right products to suit their purchasing requirements. Duties will also include handling payments, managing stock inventory, and balancing the till at the end of the day. Our ideal candidate will have previous retail experience and a passion for delivering excellent customer service.

Shop Assistant Duties

  • Assist store manager in shop opening procedures
  • Create merchandising displays
  • Receive stock deliveries
  • Restock shelves
  • Help customers find items
  • Handle payments, deal with customer complaints and issue refunds

Shop Assistant Requirements

  • 2 or more GCSE's
  • Customer service experience
  • Engaging personality
  • Helpful attitude
  • Superb communication skills

Shop Assistant Qualifications

The education and qualifications of a Shop Assistant might include the following:

  • At least two GCSEs, including English and Maths

Shop Assistant Desired Experience

The relevant experience of a Shop Assistant might include working in roles such as Sales Assistant, Retail Assistant, or Customer Services, where the applicant has developed exceptional customer service skills, retail skills, and problem-solving skills.

Shop Assistant Training

Possible training of an good Shop Assistant candidate might include:

  • Retailer Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Level 2 Diploma in Retail Skills
  • Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Sales Professional

How to write a Shop Assistant Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Shop Assistant Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Shop Assistant Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Shop Assistant Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Shop Assistant

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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