A supermarket assistant replenishes stock on supermarket shelves and helps customers find items they are looking for. Job titles vary between employers, from customer assistant to department colleague.
The Work
You could be:
going round the aisles taking note of which stock needs replacing
removing goods from the shelves which are past their sell-by date
stacking the shelves and display areas, including fridges and freezers
making sure that stock is rotated — putting goods with the earliest sell-by dates to the front
cleaning the shelves and keeping stock neat and tidy
helping customers with any queries, including showing them where items are
working on the checkouts, scanning goods, sometimes helping with packing, and processing cash or card payments
helping customers use self-service checkouts
in a large store, specialising in one particular department such as grocery or chilled food.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of 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.
You may also get a staff discount on goods.
Conditions
You will work in a supermarket, either in one department, or the whole store.
You will probably work shifts including nights and weekends.
Part time work is common.
You may have to carry heavy items and pull pallets along from the stock room.
You might spend time in cold areas, such as walk-in fridges and freezers.
You would usually wear a uniform, which your employer will provide.
