How to be a good retail salesperson – Pt. 2

Read our How to be a good retail salesperson – Pt. 1 for the first section of this topic.

After you’ve left the customer for a couple of minutes, approach them in an assured manner. Lean towards making a personal remark (about either the person or the product they are looking at), which demands a positive response. You should do this in a conversational and casual tone; this should spark a natural conversation, which is more preferred than asking the basic “can I help you?” question. Customers often dread being asked this question, as they believe it to be quite forced and insincere, and often feel a little pressured into giving an immediate answer.

Don’t worry if they ask to be left for a couple of minutes and don’t let this knock you back. Reassure them that you’re there to help without being too persistent. Leave them another few minutes before even thinking about approaching them again. If you get the vibe that they really want to be left alone then continue working in a close proximity, so that they know you’re on hand whenever they need you.

Once you feel you are in the position to help or advise the customer on a particular product, begin asking casual questions that will trigger a positive answer and avoid any types of closed questions that will most likely result in a ‘no.’ If they’ve shown a certain liking towards a product then begin to compliment it. A good salesperson will also try to relate to the product; statements such as “I wore this once and it looked fabulous, especially with [another product]” are genius, because not only will this trigger a conversation, it will also add additional products onto the potential sale.

If the customer asks for the product that isn’t already out on the shelf then go to the stock room to see if the product they want is there. Never leave the stock room empty handed; instead, choose a similar piece of merchandise or something that you believe the customer will like, based on the feedback they’ve given about the original product you were looking for. Present the merchandise to the customer, who may then proceed with trying it on/buying it. If they dislike the new item you’ll just given them then not to worry. Research into the availability of the original product – is it available online? Will you be able to order it from another store for the customer?

If they love the product and would like to purchase it then direct them suggest a few additional products without sounding too pushy. Statements and questions like, “there’s also a [product] that goes with it really well, would you like to see it?” or “another customer who bought this found that this [product] complimented it really well” are two examples of furthering a sale. When doing so, you should always ensure that your interest in the additional items is sincere, and that you’re not just suggesting other merchandise for the sake of it.

After escorting them to the till (when possible) or directing them to the till, thank them. Give them your name if they ask for it; this means that you’ve done a really good job!

Check back regularly for the latest retail jobs, fashion jobs, sales jobs and much more.

How to be a good retail salesperson – Pt. 1

Being a good salesperson is one of the fundamentals of working in retail and is exceptionally important for those working on the shop floor. The reality is; a lot of retail employees fail to realise that there are ways of improving your selling skills, and believe that “some people are just good at sales.” Although others may indeed have a certain knack for selling in a retail environment, there’s a particular strategy when it comes to approaching the customer and selling a product to the customer, in hope that they will return in the foreseeable future to purchase more.

The first factor to remember is to always maintain a high level of positivity and enthusiasm when working, especially when you are on the shop floor and there are customers around. Customers are unlikely to purchase a product from someone who is lifeless and uninterested; having a negative attitude towards your work will not drive sales, but simply drive the customers away. Inject a little vivacity into everything you do, as it will automatically put the customer at ease whilst shopping.

Working with a positive attitude will not only benefit the business, it’ll also benefit you; you will enjoy working a lot more if you share a real passion towards each task. You may even get rewarded depending on whether the company you work for issue incentives, giving you another reason to sell as much as you can.

Before selling on the shop floor, you must ensure that you look presentable and approachable. It’s doubtful that a customer will want to query anything with you if you’re looking a little scruffy… and smelly! Make sure you’re work uniform (if you have one) if worn to the correct standards and that you look neat and tidy. Avoid the “just rolled out of bed” look as this may generate the assumption that you’re too tired or turned off to be approached!

A proficient retail salesperson should have sufficient knowledge about the majority of merchandise on the shop floor. There’s nothing worse than asking a sales assistant about a product and they have even less of an idea than the customer does. Take advantage of quiet spells by getting to know the goods on the shop floor. Ask your colleagues whether or not they’ve tried or bought the any of the products; they may give you some really helpful information about some of the merchandise, which you can pass on to potential buyers – as long as it’s positive information, mind!

A good salesperson will approach customers without seeming pushy. As soon as a customer feels they are being forced into a sale, the only direction they’ll be heading is the door, not the till. They key is to greet the customer with a friendly smile, possibly with a product or prop in hand to illustrate that you are there to work, before leaving them to look around for a good few minutes. Don’t worry about leaving them to it for a while; besides, if they are looking for a specific product, they will approach you or seek your advice. The trick is to allow them enough space and time, to ensure they feel at ease in the environment they have just entered.

Retail jobs: Progressing your retail career

Whether you’re looking to progress your career within retail or you’ve decided that your keen to try out a retail job, R-Three have plenty of retail opportunities to suit you. If you already have plenty of retail experience behind you it may be time to consider a retail job that offers delivers bigger responsibilities, a higher salary and the chance to further your career altogether.

For all candidates who have previous retail experience on the shop floor, a managerial job would be a great retail opportunity to consider. Retail managers, assistant managers and store operations staff are effectively the face of a retail brand and are expected to use their current skill set to complete a whole range of different tasks around their retail environment. Not only do these roles urge you to step out of your comfort zone, but you will also be expected to motivate your team, have a certain level of confidence and have the ability to work under pressure. Such managerial roles are extremely beneficial and can set you up with a whole medley of skills that will be with you for life.

If you’ve experienced a sales assistant role and you’d like a little more responsibility but unsure whether or not you’re ready for a full managerial role then consider a supervisor role. Supervisors are great team leaders and are expected to use their initiative to help the team reach a particular incentive or target. Managers share a similar role to supervisors, except they’re given a much higher level of responsibility. Read our recent retail article to learn more about the role of a retail manager – What would be the ideal candidate for a managerial retail job?

If you already have managerial experience then why not consider furthering your retail career through a retail head office job? Specialising in buying, merchandising, marketing and much more, our Retail Head Office team can guide you towards the perfect role that suits you best. Although you will no longer be working on a shop floor, you will be presented with a whole new level of responsibility by working within head office and learning a considerable range of skills along the way. If you have a strong retail head and strive to become the brains of a brand and the thought of retail head office job is something that interests you then why not browse our retail jobs today?

Check back regularly for the latest retail jobs and retail opportunities.

Retail jobs: What would be the ideal candidate for a fashion job?

Fashion jobs are among the most popular retail jobs and are known to be highly competitive. Anyone involved in the fashion industry are expected to have a firm “passion for fashion” and have basic knowledge of the fashion industry as a whole. Whether you’re looking for a new fashion opportunity or you’re considering a fashion job instead of a retail job that focuses on a different sector, it’s worthwhile finding out how you can become the ideal candidate…

Before applying for a fashion job, you must first consider which direction you are to take within the fashion industry. Do you want to be a Fashion Designer? Perhaps you’re interested in becoming a Buying Assistant or Buying Manager? Maybe you’d like to go down the store operations route and become a Store Manager or Regional Manager? If you’re struggling to pinpoint an area you may be interested in, it’s best to compare your current skill set with the demands of each possible role. If you’re a creative individual and enjoy projecting your ideas forward then a Fashion Designer role could be suited to you, whereas if you’re interested in the bustling in-store atmosphere then a store operations role for a fashion brand may be the job for you. So, how can you become the perfect candidate for the retail job you’re working towards?

As with any retail job, previous experience in retail can benefit you in many ways and usually sets you apart from other applicants, depending on your level of retail experience. An in-depth knowledge of the fashion industry will also set you apart from the rest, as you’ll be able to demonstrate your passion and determination to learn.

In addition, you should understand what may be expected of you in that particular retail job and ask yourself whether the job is suited to your current skill set, personality and characteristics. Applicants with a high level of enthusiasm and a “can-do” attitude will always go far in retail, and an ability to deal with pressured situations in a calm and professional manner is also strongly desired among most fashion roles. The ideal candidate for a fashion job will also need to have a certain level of confidence to be able to project any ideas forward to fellow colleagues and to communicate with customers, if necessary.

Good listening and communication skills are desired, in addition to a positive attitude, which is always needed to raise the spirits of other team members on a shop floor! As with most retail jobs, the word “initiative” may crop up on a regular basis, as you’ll be asked to think on your own two feet in order to perform various tasks throughout your day. If you embody all of the above and strive towards climbing the retail ladder, you’ve undoubtedly got what it takes to become the ideal fashion candidate.

Other typical roles within this sector include Designers, Product Developers, Buying Managers, Buyers Assistants, Account Managers, Merchandise Managers, Wholesale Merchandisers, Store Managers, Regional Managers and more.

No matter which role you’re interested in or believe suits your skill set best, R-Three can guide you towards your perfect retail job. Why not browse through our current retail jobs today?

What would be the ideal candidate for a managerial retail job?

Retail managers and store operations staff are effectively the face of a retail brand and are expected to use their initiative and current retail skill set in order to complete a whole variation of tasks within their retail environment. Successful managers are able to help their staff work to their full potential, in addition to concentrating on their own performance within the environment they are managing. Does the thought of a managerial role interest you? Then find out how you can become the ideal candidate…

The first factor to note is that you must understand what is expected of you in a managerial role. Not only will you be responsible for staff training, advertising, payroll, health and safety and a various other range of things, but you’ll also be expected to provide excellent customer service and set an example to your fellow colleagues. Managerial roles also urge you to step out of your comfort zone, as you’ll have to perform a wide range of varied tasks under pressure, so be prepared; candidates that have previous experience in working in a pressured retail environment will catch the eye of an employer straight away. The ability to multi-task under pressure is a skill in itself, but once you’ve cracked this, you’ll have a really great shot at becoming the perfect candidate for any store operations job.

The ideal candidate for a retail manager job will also need to have a certain level of confidence to be able to give constructive criticism and praise to team members. A high level of initiative is also desired, as managerial roles can involve operating across a wide variety of different functions where forward-thinking and quick decisions need to be made.

Positivity and enthusiasm is a clear must when it comes to looking for a suitable retail manager or store operations candidate in addition to possessing strong listening and communication skills, as you must be able to motivate your team and achieve daily, monthly and yearly targets. This can be really fun, as you can set incentives for your team when they’re lacking motivation. A suitable candidate should also fully understand how various facets of the retail industry operate. After all, sufficient retail knowledge is always beneficial when applying for any role within retail.

Typical roles in the store operations sector include Store/Branch Manager, Department Manager, Floor Manager, Sales Manager, General Manager, Regional Manager, Area Manager, Operations Manager, Marketing Manager and HR Manager. No matter which role you’re interested in or believe suits your skill set best, R-Three can guide you towards your perfect retail job. Why not browse through our current retail jobs today?