Retail Sales Supervisors

(NOC 6211)

in All Sales and Service

Retail sales supervisors supervise and coordinate the activities of retail salespersons, cashiers, store shelf stockers, clerks, and order fillers, and other sales related workers. They work for stores and other retail businesses, wholesale businesses that sell on a retail basis to the public, rental service shops and businesses involved in door-to-door soliciting and telemarketing.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1340 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

This is a fairly large occupation, similar to retail managers, and many positions are filled internally. Openings often occur as people move from one retailer or industry to another, seeking better wages and benefits. As well, new retailers continually enter the market while others leave. The Halifax area, due to the sheer number of employers, offers a high proportion of opportunities. Technological changes and the growing trend of online shopping could continue to affect job opportunities in retail stores.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$17.00

Median

$29.81

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,288

Minimum

$24,509

Median

$54,619

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Retail sales supervisors supervise and coordinate the activities of retail salespersons, cashiers, store shelf stockers, clerks, and order fillers, and other sales related workers. They work for stores and other retail businesses, wholesale businesses that sell on a retail basis to the public, rental service shops and businesses involved in door-to-door soliciting and telemarketing.

Job duties

Retail sales supervisors:

  • Supervise and coordinate sales staff and cashiers.
  • Assign sales workers to duties and prepare work schedules.
  • Authorize payments by cheque merchandise returns.
  • Sell merchandise to customers.
  • Resolve problems like customer complaints and supply shortages.
  • Maintain specified inventory and order merchandise.
  • Prepare reports about sales volumes, merchandising and personnel matters.
  • Hire and train new sales staff.

Sample job titles

  • bakery supervisor - supermarket
  • customer service supervisor - retail
  • delivery person supervisor
  • door-to-door sales supervisor
  • grocery clerk supervisor
  • head cashier
  • retail store supervisor
  • route supervisor, retail sales
  • sales clerk supervisor
  • telemarketer supervisor

Skills

  • Supervisory, organizational, leadership, and effective communications skills are essential. You must be observant, responsible, and able to enforce rules and regulations. As supervisor, you will be required to resolve problems and address the concerns of unhappy customers. Services, product lines and sales methods may change frequently. You must be prepared to keep informed and adapt to change.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.

Other considerations

  • Employment opportunities are likely to be affected by economic conditions in the area, rising as the economy improves and falling when it declines. People in these jobs should be prepared to keep up with changes in product lines and sales methods. Annual incomes will depend upon many factors, including the product being sold, industry, location, qualifications, and the number of staff being supervised. Retail sales experience as a retail salesperson or sales clerk, cashier, telemarketer, door-to-door salesperson or rental agent is required. Progression to management positions in retail trade is possible with additional training or experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

2,020

employed in 2016

74.6%

employed full-time

2.0%

self employed

70.4%
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29.6%
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40.1

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
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39.9%
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37

median age

Where will I likely work?

49.6%

Halifax

$26,370 median annual income
15.8%

Annapolis Valley

$22,611 median annual income
14.8%

North Shore

$22,235 median annual income
10.6%

Southern

$24,460 median annual income
9.1%

Cape Breton

$29,697 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

86.2%

Retail trade

2.8%

Wholesale trade

1.7%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

1.7%

Manufacturing

1.4%

Real estate and rental and leasing

What is the age of Employment?

22.0%

45-54

21.0%

25-34

21.0%

15-24

18.0%

55-64

14.0%

35-44

3.0%

65+

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

47.4%

High school

$24,940 median annual income
21.7%

College Diploma

$26,493 median annual income
11.6%

Less than high school

$20,168 median annual income
10.6%

Bachelor

$23,915 median annual income
5.9%

Trade Certification

$24,492 median annual income

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Marketing/Marketing Management

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to undertake and manage the process of developing consumer audiences and moving products from producers to consumers. They include courses in buyer behaviour and dynamics, principles of marketing research, demand analysis, cost-volume and profit relationships, pricing theory, marketing campaign and strategic planning, market segments, advertising methods, sales operations and management, consumer relations, retailing, and applications to specific products and markets.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Retail Council of Canada
Dartmouth, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.