Occupational Profiles

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
 

Retail salespersons

• Greet customers and discuss type, quality and quantity of merchandise or services sought for purchase, rental or lease
• Advise customers on use and care of merchandise, and provide advice concerning specialized products or services
• Estimate or quote prices, credit terms, trade-in allowances, warranties and delivery dates
• Prepare merchandise for purchase, rental or lease
• Prepare sales, rental or leasing contracts and accept cash, cheque, credit card or automatic debit payment
• Assist in display of merchandise
• Maintain sales records for inventory control
• Operate computerized inventory record keeping and re-ordering systems
• May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce.

Visual merchandisers

• Design and implement window and interior displays
• Assemble visual retail displays to promote products, promotional events and seasonal change overs;
• Ensure visual displays comply with brand guidelines and standards, including organization's culture, image and target markets
• Set up lighting systems to create a visual atmosphere.
• Retail salespersons may specialize and act as consultants in home entertainment systems, computers and other products and services.

• Completion of secondary school may be required.
• A university degree or college diploma may be required by some employers.
• Specific subject matter courses or training may be required.
• Demonstrated sales ability and product knowledge are usually required for retail salespersons who sell complex or valuable merchandise, such as automobiles, antiques or computers.
• Previous visual merchandising experience may be required.