A retail clerk, also known as a sales clerk, shop clerk, retail associate, or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) shop assistant, sales assistant or customer service assistant, is a service role in a retail business.
A retail clerk obtains or receives merchandise, totals bills, accepts payment, takes orders, and makes change for customers in retail stores such as drugstores, candystores, or liquor stores (thus, the position may partially overlap with that of a cashier or teller). They clean shelves, counters, or tables; stock shelves or tables with merchandise; set up advertising displays or arrange merchandise on counters or tables to promote sales; stamp, mark, or tag prices on merchandise; and obtain merchandise requested by customers or receive merchandise selected by customers. They are expected to answer customers' questions concerning location, price, and use of merchandise; to total the price and tax on merchandise purchased by customers to determine a bill; and to accept payment, make change, and wrap or bag the merchandise for customers. They may remove and record the amount of cash in the register at the end of the shift. A retail clerk, particularly in a smaller store, may keep records of sales, prepare inventories of stock, or order merchandise.
