Entry Level Qualification 

8

Career Fields 

Marketing & Sales

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

No Entrance Exam

About Career 

As a Retail Sales Associate, you will be the public face of a company and responsible for dealing with any customer queries regarding the services and products which the company offers. You will be expected to be updated about the company’s products, policies and services always. Complaint handling is the most critical part of this role. You will be responsible for maintaining the exhibition on the sales floor, products, displays, and signage. You will have to greet customers, respond to their questions, improve their engagement with the company’s merchandise and provide outstanding customer service.

You also have to contact clients / potential customers to discuss products that they ask for and meet their requirements. You should be able to provide a brief explanation of the products to the customers and also draw their interest to the benefits of the services available.

You may have to operate cash registers if you are working in small to medium format stores. You should know how to direct customers to selected merchandise within a store. You will be responsible for increasing store sales. You may have to introduce customers to promotional offers and opportunities. You have to be well-versed in cross-selling products (sell a product/service related to what a customer initially asks for) to increase a buyer’s purchase amounts.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

As a Retail Sales Associate, you will be engaged with one or more of the following roles and responsibilities: -

1. Greeting customers and finding out what each customer needs or wants.

2. Recommending, selecting, and helping to locate or obtain merchandise as per the needs and desires of the customers; helping customers to fit or try on merchandise.

3. Ensuring that each and every customer receives excellent service through direct, prompt and courteous salesmanship.

4. Demonstrating operation or use of merchandise to customers and estimating the cost of alteration or repair of merchandise.

5. Establishing/maintaining successful relationships with retail customers and finalizing each transaction quickly and efficiently with completed paperwork.

6. Computing sales prices / total purchases; receiving and processing cash or credit payments.

7. Opening and closing of cash registers, performing tasks such as money counting, separating coupons, charge slips, and vouchers, making deposits and balancing cash drawers.

8. Selling or arranging for insurance, delivery, service contracts or financing for chosen merchandise.

9. Assisting in manual/digital inventory counts, handling all major store operations.

10. Maintaining knowledge of ongoing or upcoming promotions and sales, security practices and policies regarding exchanges/payment.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 8 in school- NSQF Level 1 Certificate for ‘Store Ops Assistant’ or similar courses

After completing Class 8 in school, you can go for National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level 1 Certificate for ‘Store Ops Assistant’ or similar courses. The total number of training hours is 200.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – NSQF Level 3 Certificate for ‘Trainee Associate’ or similar courses

After Class 10, you can go for National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level 3 Certificate for ‘Trainee Associate’ or similar courses awarded by retailers Association's Skill Council of India (RASCI). The total number of training hours is 280.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – NSQF Level 4 Certificate for ‘Sales Associate’ or similar courses

After Class 10,you can go for National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level 4 Certificate for ‘Sales Associate’, ‘Sales Person (Retail)’, ‘Distributor Salesman’, ‘Senior Sales Person (Retail)’, ‘Courier Branch Sales Executive’ or similar courses. The total notional number of training hours is 220 - 2080.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies - training at an ITI or similar institute in ‘Retail’ or related trades

After Class 10, you can go for training at any Industrial Training Institute (ITI), National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Regional Vocational Training Institute (RVTI), National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), Industrial Training Center (ITC), Workshop Training Institute (WTI) or other vocational institutes for ‘Retail’, ‘Retail Assistant’, ‘Computer Application & Programming Retail Chain Marketing Tally Professional’ or related courses. You will sit for All India Trade Test (AITT) to get a National Trade Certificate (NTC) after this course. This exam is held twice a year in the months of February and July.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject combination as per scheme of studies – B. Voc in Retail Management or similar disciplines

After Class 12, you can go for a B. Voc (Bachelor of Vocation) degree in ‘Retail Management’ or similar disciplines under University Grants Commission (UGC) or other universities. There are various institutes which offer these courses in distance or online learning mode too meaning you do not have to go to the Institute for classes other than for practical training (whenever applicable). However, there are other institutes which provide coaching in the regular mode where you have to visit the Institute for taking the classes. Admissions are done twice a year (summer/winter). You can exit the course with an NSQF Level 4 certificate after 6 months or you can continue for 1 year (for Diploma), 2 years (for Advanced Diploma) or 3 years (for full-time B. Voc Degree).

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject combination as per scheme of studies – Diploma / Certificate course in ‘Retail Management’ or similar disciplines

After Class 12, you can go for a Diploma / Certificate course in‘Retail Management’ or similar disciplines. There are various institutes which offer these courses in distance or online learning mode too meaning you do not have to go to the Institute for classes other than for practical training (whenever applicable). However, there are other institutes which provide coaching in the regular mode where you have to visit the Institute for taking the classes.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – NSQF Level 4 Certificate for ‘Sales Associate’ or similar courses - B. Voc in Retail Management or similar disciplines

After Class 10, you can go for National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level 4 Certificate for ‘Sales Associate’, ‘Sales Person (Retail)’, ‘Distributor Salesman’, ‘Senior Sales Person (Retail)’, ‘Courier Branch Sales Executive’ or similar courses. The total notional number of training hours is 220 - 2080. Then you can go for a B. Voc (Bachelor of Vocation) degree in ‘Retail Management’ or similar disciplines under the University Grants Commission (UGC) or other universities. There are various institutes which offer these courses in distance or online learning mode too meaning you do not have to go to the Institute for classes other than for practical training (whenever applicable). However, there are other institutes which provide coaching in the regular mode where you have to visit the Institute for taking the classes. Admissions are done twice a year (summer/winter). You can exit the course with another NSQF Level 4 certificate after 6 months or you can continue for 1 year (for Diploma), 2 years (for Advanced Diploma) or 3 years (for full-time B. Voc Degree).

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies - MES course for ‘Retail Sales Associates’ or related disciplines

After Class 10, you can go for a Modular Employable Skills (MES) course for retail Sales Associates’, ‘Sales Person (Retail)’, ‘Senior Sales Person (Retail)’, ‘Retail Operations’ or related disciplines under Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) by National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT). The number of training hours rangesfrom120 to 550.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – MES ‘Foundation Course for Jewellery’ or similar - MES course for ‘Jewellery in Organized Retail Management’

After Class 10, you can go for Modular Employable Skills (MES) ‘Foundation Course for Jewellery’ or similar under Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) by National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT). Then you can go for Modular Employable Skills (MES) course for jewellery in Organized Retail Management ‘or related courses under Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) by National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT). You can go for the first course after completing Class 8 in school and then go for the second course after completing Class 10 with any subjects also.

Required Qualification & Competencies 

After class 8, you can obtain NSQF Level 1 certificate or do MES ‘Foundation Course for Jewellery’ and then MES course for ‘Jewellery in Organized Retail Management’.

After class 10, you can do the following:

1. Go for ITI Training courses

2. Go for NSQF Level 3 / 4 Training courses

3. MES training course

4. Finish Class 11-12

After Class 11-12, you can go for:

1. B. Voc courses

2. Diploma / Certificate courses

Various private/public vocational training establishments across India offer related courses for:

1. Retail Management

2. Sales Person (Retail)
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Compentencies Required

1. You should have interests for Conventional Occupations. Conventional occupations involve repetitive and routine tasks as well as fixed processes or procedures for getting things done. These occupations involve working more with data, systems, and procedures and less with ideas or creativity.  

2. You should have interests for Social Occupations. Social occupations involve helping or assisting others; these involve working with and communicating with people to provide various services; these may involve educating and advising others.

3. You should have interests for Enterprising Occupations. Enterprising occupations involve taking initiatives, initiating actions, and planning to achieve goals, often business goals. These involve gathering resources and leading people to get things done. These require decision making, risk-taking,and action orientation.

4. You should have knowledge of Customer Service - how to provide customer services. This includes understanding customer needs, helping customers to use products and services, answering customer queries, handling customer complaints and grievances, and evaluating customer satisfaction.

5. You should have knowledge of Personal Care Service - Knowledge of how to provide various assistance and services to others. This includes looking after the needs of individuals, understanding what they need and provide all assistance at home or elsewhere.

6. You should have knowledge of Computers - computer software and applications, to be used for regular data entry/retrieval and updating virtual databases.

7. You should have Active Listening Skills -Giving full attention to what other people are saying, understanding the points being made by others, asking questions, etc.

8. You should have Service Orientation Skills - to help and assist people.

9. You should have Problem Solving Ability - analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems and using the best option to solve the problems.

10. You are always or mostly careful about your actions and behavior.

11. You are always or mostly organized in your day-to-day life and activities.

12. You are always or mostly caring, supportive, sympathetic and kind to others.

13. You are always or mostly dependent on others or on set rules and procedures.

14. You are always or mostly helpful to others.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

You will get job opportunities as a Retail Sales Associate, Retail Sales Person, Sales Associate etc. in small, medium or large format showrooms or over-the-counter (OTC) stores selling or retailing in consumer merchandise like grocery, kitchenware, apparels, electronics, hardware, sanitation items, footwear, lifestyle products, refrigerated / packaged food items, gems and jeweler, stationery, furniture and assets etc.

Career Growth

You can certainly progress to be an Assistant Store Manager, Senior Retail Sales Officer, Retail Sales Manager, Chief Sales Executive, Sales Supervisor, Sales Team Leader, Senior Executive –Retail Sales etc.in any small, medium or large format showrooms or over-the-counter (OTC) stores selling or retailing in consumer merchandised. after some initial experience as a Retail Sales Associate.

Salary Offered  

1. Salaries vary according to job profiles and the kind of facilities you get to work at.

2. In the entry-level jobs: You may get about Rs. 6,000 – Rs. 15,000 or more per month.

3. Salaries increase with your work experience and as you get promoted.

4. After having 1-6 years of experience, you may expect about Rs. 7,000 – Rs. 20,000 per month or more.

5. After having 6-12 years of experience, you may get about Rs. 12,000 – Rs. 30,000 or more per month.

6. In the senior level jobs, with 12-20 years of work experience, you may expect to get about Rs. 20,000 – Rs. 60,000 or more per month.

Monthly Earnings In Indian Rupee

1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience 

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience 

3. Mid Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience 

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also in the near future, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and in some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job)

Famous Personalities 

Information not available.

Work Activities 

1. Selling - Communicating about products and services with potential customers; influencing customers' decisions to buy products and services; helping people to buy products and services.

2. Negotiating - Negotiating terms, conditions, costs, prices and other issues.

3. Getting Information and learning– Observing, hearing, reading, using computers, or otherwise obtaining information and learning from it.

4. Addressing grievances and resolving conflicts - Handling complaints and grievance to resolve; resolving conflicts among co-workers or others at the workplace or outside in relation to your work.

5. Communicating with customers– Communicating with customers of your organisation verbally or otherwise.

6. Working directly with people– Working directly with people to offer them products and services, providing assistance, etc.

7. Using computers for work - Using computers for day-to-day office work; using computer software for various applications in day-to-day professional work; entering data and process information; for writing.

8. Developing and maintaining inter-personal relationships - Developing professional relationships with co-workers and others outside organizations and maintaining good relationships.

9. Handling administrative activities - Handling various administrative tasks and managing day-to-day operations.

10. Processing information - Searching, compiling, tabulating, calculating, auditing, verifying or otherwise dealing with information processing including data entry, transcription, recording, storing and maintaining databases.

11. Organising, planning and prioritising tasks - Planning and organising tasks in order to achieve work goals; prioritising tasks to achieve goals and making the best use of the time available.

12. Providing advice and consultation to others - Giving suggestions to others about various drugs, pharmaceutical compositions or related matters to customers.