A retail assistant sells goods in shops and stores. These could range from clothing or mobile phone shops to DIY and furniture stores.

The Work

You could be:

• learning about the products sold within the store and keeping items restocked
• discussing what the customer wants and showing what the shop has in stock
• taking orders for things which are out of stock
• if necessary explaining how you can pay by instalments
• working out the total price and taking cash, card or voucher payments
• operating the till which may be computerised with a barcode scanner
• removing security tags and wrapping up goods for customers
• displaying the goods on the shelves and in the window
• dealing with complaints.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).

As of 1 April 2026 the National Minimum Wage is £8.00 an hour for workers under 18, £10.85 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20. The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour.

Some retailers pay up to around £11.40 an hour.

Conditions

• You will work indoors.
• It is an active job and you might have to carry heavy items.
• You might have to work evenings and weekends.
• You may have to work longer hours near Christmas.
• Part time work is common.
• You would wear a staff uniform or smart clothes.
• You may get a discount on goods you buy from the shop.

Useful Subjects

• SfW Retailing

Getting In

• You do not need formal qualifications, but a good general education is helpful.
• You should be fit enough to carry heavy loads.
• Apply directly to shops, from small newsagents to large department stores, from specialised boutiques to supermarkets.
• You may be able to get into a Modern Apprenticeships in retailing in some areas.
• Good keyboard skills or some computer knowledge may also be useful.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2026

104145

0.5 %

FALL

2031

103591

  United Kingdom

2026

1162511

0.3 %

RISE

2031

1165844

LMI data powered by Lightcast

What Does it Take?

You should be:

• fast and accurate with numbers for cash handling
• able to stay calm when the shop is busy
• polite and helpful
• good at working with people
• trustworthy and dependable
• smartly presented
• clearly spoken with good communication skills
• knowledgeable about the products the shop sells.

Training

• Your employer might arrange part time training for you.
• You can do an SVQ in Retail Skills at SCQF Levels 4 and 5 at college.

Getting On

• If you work for a large company, you might get training for a supervisory post.
• From there you could train as a manager, perhaps becoming a departmental manager and later moving into senior management. This may mean you have to move to another place for the best opportunities.
• You will not have as many promotion chances in a small shop but you can apply for jobs with larger organisations for more opportunities.

Video

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.