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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Create a Retail Resume
in 5 Simple Steps

  • Step 1: Add Contact Info

    Heading Slides

  • Step 2: Include Work Experience Details

    Work History Slides

  • Step 3: Provide Education Details

    Education Slides

  • Step 4: Select Your Skills

    Education Slides

  • Step 5: Fill in Your Background

    Summery Slides

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Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Retail Resume

Our Resume Builder provides retail-specific text suggestions from our certified resume writers. These prewritten text options simplify the writing process, so you can craft a customized retail resume quickly and get the interview you want.

The key is being able to show employers which skills and experience you’ll bring to your next retail role. Here are some examples of content our builder might suggest for a retail resume:

  • Assessed sales reports to identify and enhance sales performance.
  • Assisted up to 100 customers per day in locating items in store.
  • Increased sales 12% by offering advice on purchases.
  • Stocked merchandise every day, clearly labeling items and arranging according to size or color.
  • Increased product appeal and customer experience by interacting directly with customers.
  • Organized racks and shelves to maintain store’s visual appeal.
  • Answered customer telephone calls to provide information about store policies.
  • Processed POS transactions, including checks, cash, and credit purchases.
  • Opened and closed store 5 days per week.

6 Do’s and Don’ts for Writing a Retail Resume

  • DO draw attention to your customer service skills. Detail ways your outgoing and friendly nature make a good impression and help you succeed in resolving customers’ complaints.
  • DO indicate if you have a flexible schedule. Some retail jobs require nontraditional hours, such as weekend or overnight shifts. A potential employer may prioritize your application if you show that you are willing to work less-desirable shifts.
  • DO illustrate your achievements through data and metrics. Don’t just say that you increased revenue by suggesting relevant add-ons in your last role. Use real numbers to quantify your results. For example, mentioning that you were able to upsell customer purchases by an average of 15 percent will pack a punch.
  • DO list the languages you speak. Most employers require retail associates to speak fluent English, so it’s a good idea to point this out. If you are bilingual or multilingual, include this information on your resume, especially if you are applying to a store where customers likely speak multiple languages.
  • Don’t forget about your physical qualifications. Many retail jobs require extensive walking, lifting, and bending. Make sure to include a complete list of these abilities on your resume, especially if the job description mentions them.
  • Don’t downplay any relevant experience. Even if your past experience wasn’t in retail, including examples of how you provided exceptional customer service in past roles is valuable. Experience processing customer transactions in a restaurant or efficiently packing bags at a local market shows you have transferable skills.
  • Don’t forget to include your relevant education. List the highest level of education you have completed. If you have a relevant degree, such as a BA in Merchandise Management, be sure to list it. If not, showcase your participation in retail-related activities such as fundraising, ticket sales, and event preparation.
  • Don’t leave out your achievements. In your work experience section, make sure to point out accomplishments such as Employee of the Month awards, positive customer reviews, and record-breaking sales statistics.

Consider These Skills for Your Retail Resume

Many recruiters nowadays are using computer programs called applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan submitted resumes to weed out unqualified candidates. An ATS looks for certain phrases and keywords, typically outlined in the job ad, to determine if a candidate has the required qualifications.

When you’re applying for a retail position, the chances are good that an ATS will read your resume before a human does, especially if you are applying for a job at a large retail store that’s part of a national or international brand. The key to getting your resume past an ATS is using the right language to describe your skills and work experience.

LiveCareer’s Resume Builder makes it easy by suggesting sought-after skills for the retail industry. Here are some suggestions the builder might make for a retail resume:

  • Upselling items to customers.
  • Stocking and restocking shelves.
  • Mental arithmetic for handling cash transactions.
  • Arranging holiday and sales displays in stores.
  • Salesmanship.
  • POS operation.
  • Accepting returns and processing refunds.
  • Answering customer questions and recommending products.
  • Product knowledge.
  • Merchandising.
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Retail Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level
Entry Level Fitting Room Attendant ExampleBuild my Resume

Fitting Room Attendant

This resume for an entry-level retail position uses a functional resume format to draw attention away from her limited work experience and toward her relevant professional skills, including customer assistance, organization, and attention to detail. She also uses the Professional Skills section to convey concrete examples of how she used each skill in action during previous jobs.

Another plus for this candidate is the inclusion of real-world metrics (e.g., 50 customers, 10 fitting rooms) to showcase her contributions to previous employers. To bolster her relatively short career history, she has included her work as a library volunteer because it was a customer-facing role.

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Mid-Career
Mid Career Lead Cashier Resume SampleBuild my Resume

Lead Cashier

In this mid-level resume, the candidate uses a combination resume format to focus hiring managers immediately on his skills, which include training, friendly customer assistance, math skills, and cash handling. In addition, his work history shows a clear progression in customer service positions, culminating in his current role as a lead cashier. This resume example also includes several impressive metrics, such as handling hundreds of dollars in cash, training several new cashiers, and interacting with nearly 100 customers every day.

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Executive-Level
Executive Level Retail Store Manager Resume ExampleBuild my Resume

Retail Store Manager

This resume for an executive-level position showcases the candidate’s quick advancement through retail jobs by using a chronological resume format. Her impressive career history provides proof of the qualifications stated in the Skills section, including team leadership, strategic selling, merchandising, and problem-solving. The Professional Summary also focuses on essential qualities for a retail executive, including experience with inventory management, operations, and promotional planning. The candidate clearly indicates her enthusiasm for high-end fashion, which could help her application stand out to hiring managers in luxury boutique establishments.

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More Retail Resume Samples

Find resume examples for your desired retail career. Get access to expert writing recommendations, do’s and don’ts and everything you need to write a perfect resume.

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receptionistcashier self checkout attendantcashier specialistcashier stockercashier team membercashier trainercatalog specialistcategory managercell phone store managercentral checkout specialist cashiercertified diamontologist fine jewelery specialistcheckout advocatecheckout operatorcircle kclarkclinique consultantclosing managerclosing store managerclosing team leaderclothing resellerclothing retail sales managerclothing store managerclothing store ownercolumbia sportswear customer service representativecompanion animal department managercomplex store managerconvenience store cashierconvenience store managercosmetic coordinatorcosmetic counter managercosmetic salescosmetic sales representativecostco food courtcostco wholesalecounter clerkcounter managercounter personcounter salescounter staffcourtesy booth clerkcourtesy clerk combo clerkcourtesy patrol cashiercurbside shoppercustom framercustom framing managercustomer hostcustomer service boothcustomer service clerkcvscvs customer servicedairy managerdairy stockerdavidsdavids bridal customer service representativeday stockerdepartment manager toydepartment supervisor home depotdesignated hitter walgreensdiamond graderdigital personal shopperdirector of ecommercedirector of franchise operationsdirector of retail operationsdirector of wholesaledispensary managerdistrict loss prevention managerdollar generaldollar general managerdollar general store managerdollar treedollar tree assistant managerdollar tree cashierdropshippingdrug gmdrug gm clerkdsw workerdual store managere commerce clerke commerce coordinatore commerce directore commerce personal shoppere commerce styliste commerce supervisorearly morning stockerebay listerebay sellerebay store owner operatorecommerce category managerecommerce coordinatorecommerce directorecommerce internecommerce managerecommerce operations managerecommerce personal shopperecommerce product managerecommerce team leaderecommerce web developereducator at lululemon 2 years sales experienceemerging store managerespn employee store managerestee lauder area sales managerestee lauder counter manageretsy shop ownereyewear consultantfamily footwear sales manager skillsfine jewelry leadfloating managerfloor managerfloor supervisorfloor supportflooring salesflooring sales specialistfloorsetfloral managerfloristflorist managerfootlockerfragrance specialistfragrance vendorfranchise business consultantfranchise directorfront end cashierfront end clerkfront end coordinatorfront end courtesy clerkfront end customer servicefront end managerfront end service clerkfront end services host tafront end supervisorfront end supervisor modfront end team member checkout advocatefront of store attendantfurniture salesfurniture sales consultantgame advisorgas station cashiergas station cashier kitchen cookgas station managergas station service techniciangeneral cashiergeneral merchandise expertgeniusgreetergrocery baggergrocery cashiergrocery department managergrocery managergrocery replenishment specialistgrocery replenishment specialist grsgrocery stockergrocery store cashiergrocery store managergrocery store ownergrocery store stockergrocery team memberhardlines team leadharris teeter cashierhbc clerkhebheb curbsidehigh end retailhobby lobbyhobby lobby cashierholiday clerk assistanthome depothome depot cashierhome depot met teamhome depot service desk leadin store shopperinstacartinstacart full service shopperinstacart in store shopperinstacart shopperinstalled sales coordinatorinstocks backroom team leadinstocks team memberintellisource at jet.comiss representativeJewelerJewelry AssociateJewelry ConsultantJewelry DesignerJewelry Store ManagerJunior FloristKey CarrierKeyholderkmartkohlsKroger AssociateLiquor Store ManagerLoss Prevention AssociateLoss Prevention InvestigatorLoss Prevention ManagerLoss Prevention SpecialistLumber AssociateLumber Sales AssociateLuxury Sales AssociateMac ArtistManager WholesaleMeat AssociateMeat Department ManagerMeat Market ManagerMeat ProcessorMeat Sales AssociateMeat SupervisorMeat TrimmerMeijer Team Membermerchandisemerchandise assistantmerchandise auditor and brand representativemerchandise coordinatormerchandise managermerchandise plannermerchandise processormerchandise service coordinatormerchandise specialistmerchandise supervisormerchandiser tip top breadmerchandising and pricing associatemerchandising execution associatemerchandising execution associate metmet merchandising execution teammet supervisormichael kors specialist sales associatemoamorning stockermra merchandise reconciliation associatemulti store managermulti unit managermystery shoppernight fillnight managernight merchandisernight operations supervisornight stockernikeno frillsnordstrom sales associateof online sellerofa online orders associateogpold navyold navy associateomni channel associateomni fulfillmentomni interactions gbaonline boutique owneronline business owneronline grocery associateonline grocery order pickeronline grocery pickuponline grocery pickup walmartonline merchandiseronline moderatoronline personal shopperonline reselleronline selleropening and closing storeopening managerorder writerovernight associateovernight cashierovernight grocery clerkovernight grocery stockerovernight managerovernight modular team associateovernight stock associateovernight supervisorovernight support managerovernight team leadowner independent fashion retailer lularoepacsunpaint associatepaint sales associatepandorapandora specialistpart sales managerpart time assistant managerpart time merchandiserpart time sales associateparty city sales associatepawn brokerpawn shop managerpepsi merchandiserperishable associateperishable managerpersonal grocery shopperpet care associatepet food demonstratorpet storepetcophoto lab technicianphoto lab technician clerk cashierphoto specialistpicture framerplanogramplant merchandiserpoint of saleposprestige beauty advisor at ultaprestige managerprice accuracy team memberpricing managerpricing signage coordinatorpro account expeditorpro associatepro lot loaderproduce assistant managerproduce associateproduce buyerproduce inspector iiproduce managerproduce sales associatepublixpublix cashierpublix deli clerkrcaregional asset protection managerregional loss prevention managerreplenishment managerreplenishment team memberreset merchandiserreset specialistretail business analystretail clerkretail coordinatorretail customer service associateretail district managerretail furniture salesretail key holderretail keyholderretail makeup artistretail merchandiserretail operations specialistretail project managerretail receiving associateretail representativeretail sales associate cashierretail sales clerkretail sales consultantretail sales executiveretail sales managerretail sales specialistretail shift managerretail store ownerretail team memberreturns associatereturns clerkreturns processorrgis inventory takerrossrsarsmrsr warehouse wagon wheel associatertm clerkrts process assistantrtv clerksally beautysally beauty beauty advisorscan coordinatorseafood clerkseafood managerseasonal fulfillment expertshelf stockershift assistantshift lead, walgreensshift manager/key holdershift supervisor rxshipt shoppershoe expeditorshoe salesmanshoe salespersonshopping center managershowroom coordinatorshowroom managersmall format team membersneaker resellersony experience expertspecial training or skillsdollar treespecialty assistant store managerspirit halloweenstock handlerstocker inventorystockingstocking clerkstocking on tastocking tastocking unloadingstockmanstockroom clerkstockroom supervisorstop and shopstore administratorstore directorstore inventory leadstore keeperstore manager home depotstore manager tlastore manager traineestore manager walmart supercenterstore ownerstore project coachstore supervisorstore team memberstoreroom attendantstoreroom clerkstyle advisorstyle consultant at targetsupermarket managert mobilet mobile assistant store manager mobile expertta salesfloortargettarget cafe team membertarget customer service representativetarget flow team leadertarget guest advocatetarget overnight flow team membertarget style consultanttarget team leadtarget team memberteam leader electronicsteam member at tractor supplyteslathird key holder dollar generalthird key managerTj Maxx Customer Experience Coordinatortractor supply team leadtraveling merchandiserulta lead cashierulta merchandise and service coordinatorunilevervice president purchasing operationsvisual merchandising managervitamin hba clerkvonswal mart cart pusherwalgreenswalmartwalmart automotive technicianwalmart call centerwalmart cashierwalmart customer service managerwalmart employeewalmart forklift operator lead unloaderwalmart money centerwalmart ogpwalmart opdwalmart order fillerwalmart overnight stockerwalmart packerwalmart store managerwalmart team leadwalmart tire and lube technicianwfmoa in store shopper s.a rolewhole foodszone merchandise supervisorzumiez

Resume Success Stories

Statistics and Facts About Retail Jobs

Education Requirements for Retail Roles

Many entry-level and mid-level retail sales positions don’t require college degrees because employers provide on-the-job training. A few of those job titles include:

  • Car salesman
  • Fitting room attendant
  • Checkout operator
  • Sales associate
  • Cashier

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*Net

Management positions in sales often prefer candidates who have earned a bachelor’s degree. A few of those job titles include:

  • Assistant store manager
  • Department manager
  • Store manager
  • Shift manager
  • Floor supervisor

Sources: BLS, O*Net

Median Annual Salary by Experience

Retail sales employees$24,200
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers$49,978
Sales mangers$124,220
075K150K

Sources: O*Net, DataUSA, BLS

Gender Diversity

Retail sales employees in entry-level roles50.9%
Male workers49.1%
0%30%60%

Source: DataUSA

Most Common Retail Industries

Clothing stores12.7 percent
Department and discount stores12.6 percent
Car dealers8.38 percent
Building material and supplies7.94 percent
Electronics stores5.84 percent
0%10%20%

Source: DataUSA

Retail Job Growth

Statistics indicate the overall number of available retail sales jobs will likely decrease by 2 percent over the next 10 years, including for these job titles:

Retail salespersons2% decline
Parts salespersons1% decline
Cashier4% decline

However, projections show a 5 percent increase in opportunities for sales managers over the same time period:

Advertising managers6% increase
Marketing managers6% increase
Promotions managers6% increase
Sales managers5% increase

Sources: BLS, DataUSA

Popular Retail Job Titles

  • Car salesman
  • Cashier
  • Customer service representative
  • Store manager
  • Customer assistant
  • Stock clerk
  • Sales associate
  • Floor supervisor

Highest Paying Retail Industries

Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing$100,988
Specialized Design Services$96,859
Computer Systems Design$85,828
Drugs and Chemical Products Wholesalers$77,762
0%60%120%

Sources: DataUSA

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