Retail Salespersons

(NOC 6421)

in All Sales and Service

Retail salespersons sell, rent, or lease a range of technical and non-technical goods and services directly to consumers. They work for stores and other retail businesses, as well as wholesale businesses that sell on a retail basis to the public. Retail salespersons may specialize and act as consultants in home entertainment systems, computers and other products and services.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1955 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate 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.

Over the longer term, new technologies such as self-checkouts may reduce the need for the number of salespersons in a store. Even so, retailers in some parts of the province are encountering a shortage of job applicants, so prospects are good for individuals looking for work in this occupation. Unfavourable working conditions, such as part-time hours and low wages, appear to be contributing factors of the insufficient supply of labour for these positions.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$14.50

Median

$22.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,694

Minimum

$14,508

Median

$44,416

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 salespersons sell, rent, or lease a range of technical and non-technical goods and services directly to consumers. They work for stores and other retail businesses, as well as wholesale businesses that sell on a retail basis to the public. Retail salespersons may specialize and act as consultants in home entertainment systems, computers and other products and services.

Job 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.
  • Help display merchandise.
  • Maintain sales records for inventory control.
  • Use computerized inventory record keeping and re-ordering systems.
  • May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce.

Sample job titles

  • convenience store clerk
  • floral arranger - retail
  • motor vehicle salesperson
  • pharmacy clerk
  • retail sales associate
  • retail sales clerk
  • retail salesperson
  • sales and rental clerk
  • sales greeter
  • store clerk

Skills

  • You should have good interpersonal and communication skills. Patience, tact, and enthusiasm are important. You must always be alert to the customers' needs and be as helpful and efficient as possible. Basic math skills and product knowledge are also needed. Knowledge of another language, especially French, is an asset. Demonstrated sales ability and product knowledge are usually required for retail salespersons who sell complex or valuable merchandise like cars and trucks, antiques, or computers.

Job requirements

  • High 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.

Other considerations

  • Many positions are filled by part-time employees, who are required to work in the evenings and on weekends. Hours of work will depend on the needs of the employer. Earnings vary throughout the year due to the fact that retail salespersons are often employed part-time and have their hours increased or decreased according to sales levels. Also, wages are often supplemented with sales commissions. People in these jobs must be on their feet for long periods of time. Technical or sales training programs may be provided by employers. Progression to retail supervisory positions is possible with additional training or experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

20,085

employed in 2016

47.9%

employed full-time

3.9%

self employed

59.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
40.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
34.9

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

48.5%

Halifax

$14,181 median annual income
16.2%

North Shore

$14,556 median annual income
12.9%

Cape Breton

$14,097 median annual income
12.0%

Annapolis Valley

$16,175 median annual income
10.4%

Southern

$15,824 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

84.1%

Retail trade

3.7%

Wholesale trade

2.1%

Manufacturing

1.2%

Real estate and rental and leasing

1.2%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

What is the age of Employment?

35.0%

15-24

16.0%

55-64

15.0%

45-54

15.0%

25-34

11.0%

35-44

7.0%

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

45.6%

High school

$14,269 median annual income
18.0%

College Diploma

$17,832 median annual income
17.1%

Less than high school

$8,323 median annual income
11.3%

Bachelor

$16,784 median annual income
5.0%

Trade Certification

$21,890 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

There is no information to display in this section

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.