What skills does a sales assistant need?

A sales assistant needs 26 essential skills including characteristics of products, product comprehension, company policies, characteristics of services, guarantee customer satisfaction. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace sales assistant jobs?

The AI disruption score for sales assistant is 78/100 (very high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

RetailSales workersISCO 5223

sales assistant

Sales assistants represent the direct contact with clients. They provide general advice to customers.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (26)

characteristics of productscharacteristics of productsThe tangible characteristics of a product such as its materials, properties and functions, as well as its different applications, features, use and support requirements.product comprehensionproduct comprehensionThe offered products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.company policiescompany policiesThe set of rules that govern the activity of a company.characteristics of servicescharacteristics of servicesThe characteristics of a service that might include having acquired information about its application, function, features, use and support requirements.guarantee customer satisfactionguarantee customer satisfactionHandle customer expectations in a professional manner, anticipating and addressing their needs and desires. Provide flexible customer service to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.prepare sales checksprepare sales checksProvide customers with official documents that prove their purchase and payment.operate cash registeroperate cash registerRegister and handle cash transactions by using point of sale register.ensure compliance with legal requirementsensure compliance with legal requirementsGuarantee compliance with established and applicable standards and legal requirements such as specifications, policies, standards or law for the goal that organisations aspire to achieve in their effo...maintain relationship with customersmaintain relationship with customersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and servic...examine merchandiseexamine merchandiseControl items put up for sale are correctly priced and displayed and that they function as advertised.follow up orders for customersfollow up orders for customersFollow-up/tracking of an order and notifying the customer when the goods have arrived.provide customer guidance on product selectionprovide customer guidance on product selectionProvide suitable advice and assistance so that customers find the exact goods and services they were looking for. Discuss product selection and availability.maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.organise product displayorganise product displayArrange goods in attractive and safe way. Set up a counter or other display area where demonstrations take place in order to attract the attention of prospective customers. Organise and maintain stand...stock shelvesstock shelvesRefill shelves with merchandise to be sold.process refundsprocess refundsResolve customer inquiries for returns, exchange of merchandise, refunds or bill adjustments. Follow organisational guidelines during this process.carry out order intakecarry out order intakeTake in of purchase requests for items that are currently unavailable.Order productsOrder productsOrder products for customers according to their specifications and provisions.ensure stock storage safetyensure stock storage safetyEnsure that products are stored appropriately. Keep in line with safety procedures.carry out active sellingcarry out active sellingDeliver thoughts and ideas in impactful and influencing manner to persuade customers to become interested in new products and promotions. Persuade clients that a product or service will satisfy their ...demonstrate products' featuresdemonstrate products' featuresDemonstrate how to use a product in a correct and safe manner, provide customers with information on the product's main features and benefits, explain operation, correct use and maintenance. Persuade ...provide customer follow-up servicesprovide customer follow-up servicesRegister, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.plan aftersales arrangementsplan aftersales arrangementsCome to an agreement with the customer about the delivery, setup and service of the goods; perform appropriate measures to ensure delivery.prevent shopliftingprevent shopliftingIdentify shoplifters and methods by which shoplifters try to steal. Implement anti-shoplifting policies and procedures to protect against theft.

Optional (14)

teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.perform multiple tasks at the same timeperform multiple tasks at the same timeExecute multiple tasks at the same time, being aware of key priorities.carry out specialised packing for customerscarry out specialised packing for customersPack products such as perfumes or gifts for customers.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.carry out cross merchandisingcarry out cross merchandisingPlace a particular item in more than one location within the store, in order to attract customer attention and increase sales.arrange ordering of products for customersarrange ordering of products for customersOrder products from suppliers after deciding on the required amount of stock needed.organise storage facilitiesorganise storage facilitiesOrder the contents of a storage area to improve efficiency with respect to the inflow and outflow of the stored items.maintain store cleanlinessmaintain store cleanlinessKeep the store tidy and clean by hovering and mopping.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...package purchases in bagspackage purchases in bagsPacket purchased items and place them in shopping bags.keep records of merchandise deliverykeep records of merchandise deliveryKeep records of goods deliveries; report discrepancies to control costs in order to maintain correct inventory levels.issue sales invoicesissue sales invoicesPrepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and...supervise merchandise displayssupervise merchandise displaysWork closely together with visual display staff to decide how items should be displayed, in order to maximise customer interest and product sales.ensure store securityensure store securityImplement and monitor security measures within the store; be vigilant about shoplifters and fraudulent use of credit cards.