Sales People (or Retail worker) sell goods to customers from retail outlets, such as small, independently owned specialty shops, chain store outlets, supermarkets or department stores.

They will have a wide variety of duties, depending on the type and size of the business. Sales people may also visit the people who they’re selling to at work or at home and give demonstrations and samples of the product and some sales people sell products over the phone or on the internet.

Sales people work in many different places, for example, they may work selling cars, computer games, toys, cosmetics, electrical goods or clothes. However, the following basic sales tasks are common to most sales positions:

• advising customers on the location and price of goods available from the store
• advising customers on the use and care of goods available from the store
• encouraging customers to buy goods from their store and to return again in the future
• operating cash registers and accept payment
• taking orders for items not currently in stock, and notifying customers when the items have arrived
• packaging goods for customers and arrange delivery
• pricing, stacking and displaying items for sale
• keeping the store tidy and attractive
• determining the layout of fittings and merchandise so that stock is presented as attractively as possible
• monitoring stock levels and place orders
• helping customers to buy the product best suited to their needs

Sales people must have the following personal requirements:

• good communication, organisational and leadership skills
• self-motivation
• ability to work with people
  

Sales people are often trained on the job or through courses provided by their employer.