Retail
Dive into the data and learn what it takes to move up the Retail Sales career ladder!
Each career level contains information about hourly wages, job descriptions, main job duties, examples of job titles, general skills, and links to educational courses or training opportunities.
If you have further questions about local labour market information, contact us here: [email protected].
SECTION 1
64100 – Retail Salesperson and visual merchandiser
Median hourly wage:
$17.20/hr
What you do:
Retail salespersons sell, rent or lease a range of technical and non-technical goods and services directly to consumers. Visual merchandisers plan, create and implement windows and in-store displays. They are employed by retail businesses as well as wholesale businesses that sell on a retail basis to the public.
Main job duties:
- 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 payment
- Maintain sales records for inventory control
- Operate computerized inventory record keeping and re-ordering systems
- 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
- Set up lighting systems to create a visual atmosphere
Skills:
Problem-solving
Organization
Customer Service
Point of Sale
Digital Literacy
Retail Math
Job title examples:
Automobile salesperson
Department store clerk
Display designer
Retail sales associate
Retail sales clerk
Retail salesperson
Window display designer
Hourly wages:
$19.95 low
$17.20 median
$27.25 high
Education & Training:
- 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.
- Progression to retail supervisory positions is possible with additional training or experience.
- Technical or sales training programs may be provided by employers.
| Cashier | Tri-County Literacy Council | |
| Retail Associate | Tri-County Literacy Council | |
| Hospitality & Tourism: Remarkable Customer Service | St.Lawrence College | |
| Hospitality & Tourism: Post COVID-19 Standards | St.Lawrence College | |
| Customer Service (french) | Moi j’Apprends | https://moijapprends.ca/services/formation/ |
| Customer Service (french) | Moi j’Apprends | |
| WHMIS | Moi j’Apprends | https://moijapprends.ca/services/formation/ |
SECTION 2
14401 – Storekeepers and partspersons
Median hourly wage:
$25.68/hr
What you do:
Storekeepers and partspersons sort, store and issue parts and supplies for use by the establishment in which they work and for sale to the public. They are employed by manufacturing companies, warehouses, retail and wholesale establishments, mining, forestry and construction companies, repair shops, hospitals and other establishments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main job duties:
- Receive and sort incoming parts and supplies
- Store items in an orderly and accessible manner in a warehouse, tool room, supply room or other area
- Process incoming requisitions and issue or distribute parts and supplies for internal usage
- Maintain records of orders and the amount, kind and location of parts and supplies on hand using manual or computerized inventory system
- Prepare requisition orders to replenish parts and supplies
- Sell spare and replacement parts for motor vehicles, machinery and equipment in a retail setting
- Advise retail customers or internal users on appropriateness of parts, supplies or materials requested.
Skills:
Job title examples:
Automotive partsperson – retail
Material keeper
Medical supply clerk
Motor vehicle parts clerk
Parts clerk
Parts supplier
Partsperson
Ship storeman/woman
Storekeeper
Tool room attendant
Hourly wages:
$18.09 low
$25.68 median
$36.68 high
Education & Training:
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three-year apprenticeship program or completion of specialized training in high school and a one-year college program for partspersons may be required.
- Trade certification for partspersons is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories.
- Experience in a related clerical occupation, or as a warehouse worker, may be required for partspersons.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified partspersons upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
SECTION 3
64101 – Sales and Account Representatives – Wholesale Trade
Median hourly wage:
$32.94/hr
What you do:
Sales representatives in wholesale trade (non-technical), sell non-technical goods and services to retail, wholesale, commercial, industrial, professional and other clients domestically and internationally. They are employed by establishments that produce or provide goods and services such as petroleum companies, food, beverage and tobacco producers, clothing manufacturers, motor vehicles and parts manufacturers, hotels, business services firms, and transportation companies.
Main job duties:
- Promote sales to existing clients
- Identify and solicit potential clients
- Provide clients with presentations on the benefits and uses of goods or services
- Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties and delivery dates
- Prepare or oversee preparation of sales or other contracts
- Consult with clients after sale or signed contracts to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support
- Review and adapt to information regarding product innovations, competitors and market conditions
- Represent companies that export and import products or services to and from foreign countries
- May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce
- May supervise the activities of other sales representatives.
Skills:
Strong communication abilities
Sales skills
Customer service
Analytic skills and Problem solving
Proactive
Adaptable
Job title examples:
Advertising time sales representative
Food products sales representative
Freight sales agent
Graphic design sales representative
Hotel accommodations sales executive
Liquor sales representative
Magazine sales representative
Oil distributor
Security services sales consultant
Transfer company agent
Wholesale trade representatives’ supervisor
Hourly wages:
$17.86 low
$32.94 median
$52.90 high
Education & Training:
- Experience in sales or in an occupation related to the product or service is usually required.
- Voluntary certification is available from the Canadian Professional Sales Association.
- Fluency in a foreign language and/or foreign country work or travel experience may be required for sales representatives seeking employment with companies that import or export goods or services.
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Supervisors and senior sales representatives require experience.
- A university degree or completion of a college or other program may be required.
SECTION 4
62010 – Retail Sales Supervisor
Median hourly wage:
$23.34/hr
What you do:
Supervise and coordinate the activities of sales staff and cashiers.
Main job duties:
- Supervise and coordinate sales staff and cashiers
- Assign workers to duties, prepare work schedules, maintain specified inventory and order merchandise
- Hire and train or arrange the training of new staff and monitor and report on performance
- Prepare reports regarding sales volume, merchandising and personnel matters
Skills:
Customer service
Leadership
Teamwork
Problem-solving
Time management
Job title examples:
Retail Store Supervisor
Retail Trainer
Key Holder
Hourly wages:
$17.20 low
$23.34 median
$35.18 high
Education & Training:
| WHMIS | Moi j’Apprends | https://moijapprends.ca/services/formation/ |
| Hospitality & Tourism: Post COVID-19 Standards | St.Lawrence College | |
| Office Clerk | Carrefour de Fourmation pour adultes inc. | |
| Leadership Development Series | St.Lawrence College | |
| Business Fundamentals | St.Lawrence College |
SECTION 5
62101 – Retail and Wholesale Buyers
Median hourly wage:
$32.32/hr
What you do:
Retail and wholesale buyers buy merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments and are usually responsible for the merchandising operations of retail or wholesale establishments. Retail and wholesale buyers who are supervisors and those who are assistants are included in this occupation.
Main job duties:
- Purchase merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments
- Review requirements of establishment and determine quantity and type of merchandise to purchase
- Study market reports, trade periodicals and sales promotion materials and visit trade shows, showrooms, factories and product design events
- Select the merchandise which best fits the establishment’s requirements
- Interview suppliers and negotiate prices, discounts, credit terms and transportation arrangements
- Oversee distribution of merchandise to outlets and maintain adequate stock levels
- Establish and maintain contact with suppliers
- May supervise the work of other retail buyers.
Skills:
Attention to detail
Customer service
Teamwork
Work independently
Written communication
Organization
Job title examples:
Appliance buyer
Assistant buyer
Beverage taster and buyer
Buyer – retail
Buyer – wholesale
Chief buyer
Clothing buyer
Food buyer
Produce buyer
Hourly wages:
$17.20 low
$32.32 median
$46.04 high
Education & Training:
- A university degree or college diploma in business, marketing or a related program is usually required.
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Previous work experience in retail or wholesale establishments is usually required.
- Supervisors and senior buyers require experience in the occupation supervised or in a particular merchandise line.
| WHMIS | Moi j’Apprends | https://moijapprends.ca/services/formation/ |
| Hospitality & Tourism: Post COVID-19 Standards | St.Lawrence College | |
| Office Clerk | Carrefour de Fourmation pour adultes inc. | |
| Leadership Development Series | St.Lawrence College | |
| Business Fundamentals | St.Lawrence College |
SECTION 6
60020 – Retail & Wholesale Trade Managers
Median hourly wage:
$39.98/hr
What you do:
Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of establishments that sell merchandise or services on a retail or wholesale basis.
Main job duties:
- Manage staff and duties
- Develop and implement marketing strategies
- Plan budgets, authorize expenditures and monitor revenues
- Evaluate and improve customer service and respond to customer requests and issues
- Address staffing requirements, including the hiring, development and retention of staff
Skills:
Customer service
Leadership
Teamwork
Planning
Time management
Job title examples:
Car Dealership Manager
Clothing Store Manager
Hardware Store Manager
Hourly wages:
$17.20 low
$39.98 median
$70.64 high
Education & Training:
| Leadership Development Series | St.Lawrence College | |
| Supply Chain Management | St.Lawrence College | |
| Business Administration | St.Lawrence College |
SECTION 6
60010 – Corporate Sales Managers
Median hourly wage:
$55.77/hr
What you do:
Corporate sales managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of establishments and departments involved in commercial, industrial, institutional, e-business and wholesale and retail sales. They are employed by commercial, industrial and wholesale and retail trade establishments.
Main job duties:
- Plan direct and evaluate the activities of sales departments in commercial, industrial, wholesale and retail and other establishments
- Organize regional and divisional sales operations
- Establish organizational policies and procedures in relation to sales
- Determine strategic planning related to new product lines
- Lead sales team in building relationships with business clients and manage negotiations of sales contracts
- Recruit, organize, train and manage staff
- May work with the marketing department to understand and communicate marketing messages to the field.
Skills:
Leadership
Communication
Strategic thinking
Coaching and Motivating
Analyze sales data
Time Management
Adaptability and Resilience
Job title examples:
Corporate sales manager
National accounts manager – sales
Regional sales manager
Trade expansion manager
Hourly wages:
$33.20 low
$55.77 median
$92.85 high
Education & Training:
A university degree or college diploma in business or in a related field with a specialization in sales and several years of experience as a sales representative or in a related occupation are usually required.
Progression to senior management positions is possible with experience.
SECTION 6
Entrepreneur / Business Owner | Retail
Median hourly wage:
Varies
What you do:
Organize and operate a business, taking on greater than normal financial risks to do so.
Main job duties:
- Creating and managing a business plan, ongoing research and planning, hiring staff, creating policies, and forecasting
- Maintaining business bank accounts, payments processing, taxes and general bookkeeping
- Develop marketing campaigns, manage social media and conduct other marketing activities
- Respond to customer service inquiries, including answering phone calls and emails to build a positive reputation for the business
Skills:
Customer service
Leadership
Teamwork
Planning
Time management
Job title examples:
Small Business Owner
Franchisee
Hourly wages:
Education & Training:
| Business Management/Entrepreneurial | St.Lawrence College | |
| Supply Chain Management | St.Lawrence College | |
| Business Administration | St.Lawrence College | |
| Leadership Development Series | St.Lawrence College |