Clerk, specialist trade salary

Salary and Working Conditions for Retail Sales Assistants

Working as a retail sales assistant involves a dynamic and customer-oriented work environment. The average monthly salary for a retail sales assistant is 31 900 SEK. Men earn an average of 32 700 SEK, while women earn 31 300 SEK, meaning that women earn 96% of what men do in the profession. For hourly retail sales assistants, the median wage is 192 SEK per hour, based on 166 working hours per month. Salary development has been positive in the past year, increasing from 30 900 SEK to 31 900 SEK.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

As a retail sales assistant, you are responsible for providing customers with a positive experience by offering assistance and guidance in their purchasing process. Duties include cash handling, stock work, unpacking and displaying merchandise, and keeping the store organized. Having good product knowledge and being able to provide relevant information and advice to customers is important.

Requirements to Become a Retail Sales Assistant

Usually, no formal education is required to work as a retail sales assistant, but a high school education with a focus on commerce and service is advantageous. Personal qualities such as social skills, good communication, and a service-oriented mindset are very important. Experience from similar jobs can also be an advantage in recruitment.

Career Opportunities and Future Prospects

The profession of retail sales assistant offers good job prospects at the national level. Labor market forecasts show that opportunities for employment as a store salesperson in the boat and motor vehicle sector, a part of the retail salesperson profession, are significant. Demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. However, there is a paradoxical situation where there is some difficulty in recruiting while many work part-time in the profession.

Salary Variances and Benefits

The salary for a retail sales assistant can vary depending on employment type, experience, and level of education. The highest recorded salary for a retail sales assistant is 34600 SEK, belonging to a man with a high school education working in the regional sector. The highest salary for a woman in the same profession is 32 700 SEK. The lowest salary for a male retail sales assistant is 29500 SEK, working as a privately employed official with pre-high school education. For a female retail sales assistant with similar qualifications, the lowest salary is 30100 SEK.

Benefits may vary depending on the employer, but it is not uncommon for retail sales assistants to be offered staff discounts and sometimes training in product knowledge and sales techniques.

Challenges in the Profession

Working as a retail sales assistant can be both rewarding and challenging. It requires a constant effort to meet customer expectations and handle stressful situations, especially during peak seasons or sales periods. Another challenge may be staying updated on new products and trends in a rapidly changing market.

Summary

Being a retail sales assistant entails a varied workday focused on customer service and sales. With an average monthly salary of 31 900 SEK and good future prospects, the profession offers stability and opportunities for personal development. Although salary variations are significant depending on position and experience, there is room for both growth and advancement within the sector.