Retail
Salespersons and Sales Clerks (NOC 6421)
Nature
of the Work
Retail
salespersons and sales clerks sell or rent
a range of goods and services in stores and other retail businesses
and in wholesale businesses that sell on a retail basis to
the general public.
It's
esay to hire Retail Salespersons & Sales Clerks
Able
Recruiters provides retail salespersons and sales clerks for
businesses in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. Retail
salespersons and sales clerks qualify for Expedited Labour
Market Opinions (E-LMOs) from HRSDC. This means that their
applications for Labour Market Opinions can be processed in
three to five business days.
Main
Duties of Retail Salespersons & Sales Clerks
Retail
salespersons and sales clerks greet customers
and discuss the type, quality and quantity of merchandise
sought for purchase or rental. Retail Salespersons advise
customers on use and care of merchandise, and they estimate
or quote prices, credit terms, trade-in allowances, warranties
and delivery dates. Retail Salespersons also prepare sales
contracts and merchandise for purchase or rental, they accept
cash, cheque, credit card or automatic debit payment, and
they assist in the display of merchandise.
Example
Titles of Retail Salespersons & Sales Clerks
- retail salesperson
- automobile salesperson
- clothing salesperson
- retail sales clerk
- department store clerk
- counter clerk - retail
- car rental agent
- computer salesperson - retail
- audio equipment salesperson
- furniture salesperson
- hardware store clerk
- jewellery salesperson
Working
Conditions of Retail Salespersons
Retail
Salespersons must be able to answer inquiries about the products
or services they represent. They are often either in direct
contact with customers or in close proximity to them. Sales
staff should be prepared to work some evenings and weekends.
In
2000 the average annual earnings for all workers in the Retail
Salespersons occupational group were $17,600, which is well
below the provincial average of $32,100. Roughly one-third
worked full-time for the whole year and received an average
of $30,900 in earnings. This is substantially lower than the
provincial average of $44,200. According to a survey of recent
college graduates, those who found work in these occupations
earned an average of $1,560 per month or $18,720 per year
for full-time work.
This
very large occupational group experienced a decline of employment
between 1990 and 2001. However, the number of employed workers
is still substantial at 71,980 in 2001.
Few
retail salespersons and sales clerks (7%) are self-employed
and few of these work full time. This proportion is well below
the all-occupation average of 14%.
Seasonal
fluctuations and the temporary nature of this work are reflected
in the fact that only half work year round.Unemployment is
about the same as the average for all occupations in B.C.
Most
retail sales persons and clerks (79.8%) are employed in the
retail trade and the remainder work in the wholesale trade
(4.3%), real estate and rental and leasing (3.5%) and other
industries. The regional distribution of workers in this group
is similar to that of general workforce. Sixty-one percent
are located in the Lower Mainland, 17% on Vancouver Island,
15% in the Southern Interior and 7% in Northern B.C.
There
is an average proportion of male and female workers in this
group. There is also a very high proportion of young people.
Half of all retail salespersons and sales clerks are younger
than 35 while fewer than one in five workers is 55 or older.
This is indicative of the entry-level work in these occupations,
with the exception of of specialized sales, such as automobiles
or antiques, that usually require more experience and knowledge.
Employment
Prospects of Retail Salespersons
This
is one of the largest occupational groups in B.C., estimated
at 71,980 workers in 2001. The Canadian Occupational Projection
System (COPS) projects an annual employment growth rate of
2.0% for this group, which is faster than the average for
all occupations.
According
to this projection, 27,260 positions will become available
from 2001 to 2011. Over half of these openings (57%) will
result from growth in the number of new jobs and the remainder
will be due to retirements. Additional openings will become
available due to worker turnover.
In
2001 more than 80% of Retail Salespersons were employed in
the retail trade industry and another 7% in the wholesale
trade industry. Employment in these industries is expected
to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2001
to 2011. These industries tend to reflect the employment growth
of the economy as a whole because of the wide range of products
sold and the close ties to most other industries. The retail
trade industry includes all establishments that sell goods,
such as gasoline, groceries, construction supplies and tooth
picks, for use by consumers and households. The wholesale
trade industry supplies these goods to retailers. A rapidly
growing tourism sector will create growth in these industries,
especially leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in
Vancouver and Whistler.
Those
employed in the clothing, footwear, home furnishing and music
sectors should be experienced and must be aware of the latest
fashions and trends, especially when dealing with young shoppers.
The move by retailers to streamline operations, reduce costs
and adapt quickly to changing market trends and conditions
is reducing the number of full-time jobs and increasing part-time
work in this field. There will be plenty of part-time, casual
or seasonal openings for those who wish to work in these areas.
However, retail salespersons are usually required to demonstrate
sales ability and product knowledge when selling specialized
merchandise, such as automobiles, antiques and computers.
To
keep up with competition, many retailers provide on-line product
information and allow purchases through the internet. Despite
the growing popularity of electronic commerce, internet sales
have not decreased the need for retail salespersons. Retail
salespersons will remain an important way to provide customers
with specialized service and improve customer satisfaction,
which is something Internet services cannot do. As a result,
the impact of electronic commerce on the employment of retail
salespersons is expected to be minimal.
With
additional training or experience, progression to retail supervisory
positions is possible.
Prevailing
Wages of Retail Salespersons & Sales Clerks
(as
of January 25, 2007)
Alberta
$13.26
( Banff / Calgary / Drumheller )
$12.75
( Edmonton )
$13.41
( Ft. McMurray / Loydminster / Cold Lake )
$12.20
( Grande Prairie / Slave Lake / Jasper )
$10.60
( Lethbridge / Medicine Hat / Crowsnest Pass )
$11.48
( Red Deer / Camrose / Wetaskiwin / Rocky / Olds )
British
Columbia
$11.97
( Lower Mainland Southwest )
$11.04
( Northern British Columbia )
$11.47
( Thompson Okanagan Kootenay )
$11.76
( Vancouver Island )
Employing
Retail Salespersons & Sales Clerks
We can
help you recruit retail salespersons and sales clerks, quickly
and economically. Retail salespersons and sales clerks
are included in the Expedited Labour Market Opinion (E-LMO) Pilot
Project, so they can get work visas relatively easily. We
will help with all of the arrangements. Let us help
you recruit all of the retail salespersons and sales clerks
you need.
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