The Retail industry is one of the fastest growing and dynamic parts of the world economy. It is the second-largest industry in the United States both in number of employees and number of establishments. The retail industry in the US generates $3.8 trillion in retail sales annually. Retail trade accounts for about 12.4% of all business establishments in the United States.

Various career options in the retail sector exist including store management, merchandising, buying and central management. No formal education is typically required for this type of work, although a high school diploma or the equivalent is preferred. Desirable characteristics of a retail salesperson include an interest in sales work, a neat appearance, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Knowledge of more than one language may be helpful for employment in communities where people from various cultures tend to live and shop. Some employers may conduct a background check before hiring a salesperson, especially for a retail sales job selling high-priced items.

Compensation in retail vary by the type of establishment and the merchandise sold. Benefits may be limited in small stores, but are attractive in larger establishments. Salesperson’s generally receive hourly wages, commissions, or a combination thereof. Under a commission system, salesperson’s get a percentage of their sales. Although this system offers the opportunity to increase the earnings considerably, some salesperson’s may find that their earnings strongly depend on their ability to sell the products and sometimes on the ups and downs of the economy.

The retail sales representative job may cover a broad spectrum of responsibilities depending upon the products and merchandise offered by the employer. Typically, a retail sales representative’s duties include describing a product’s features, demonstrating its use, and showing various models of the merchandise. For some sales jobs, mostly for complex items, retail salesperson’s may be required to have special knowledge or skills. For example, a salesperson who sell automobiles must be able to describe the features of various models, the specifications, types of options, and the warranty.

Whether selling shoes, computers or automobiles, retail salesperson’s help customers in finding out the desired item and try to interest them in buying the product. In addition to selling, most retail salesperson’s, particularly working in department and apparel stores, receive cash, checks, charge payments, and give receipts. Retail salesperson’s have to open or close cash registers depending on their hours. This work generally includes counting the money in the register; separating charge slips and exchange vouchers and depositing the cash. The 5-day week with a 9-to-5 job schedule is the exception in the retail trade. Most salesperson’s have to work late evenings and weekends during sales and other peak retail periods.

Every day, consumers spend millions of dollars on merchandise and often form their impression of a store by evaluating its sales force. Therefore, retailers expect their sales team to provide courteous and efficient service to customers. Employers always search for the people who enjoy working with others and have patience and tact to deal with demanding customers. If you are seeking a service-oriented profession, and think you have these qualities, then retail sales jobs might be worth taking a good look at.