by No To the Bike Parking Tax

Millions of dollars are spent by consumers every day on different types of merchandise. And because consumers quickly form an impression of a store by the way in which they are treated, retailers fervently stress the importance of providing courteous and efficient service. Having high-quality customer service is essential in order for a business to stay competitive.

Retail salespersons can work selling a vast variety of items. From shoes to computer software they provide assistance to customers interesting them in various merchandise and helping them find what they are looking for. They may be asked to demonstrate a product’s use, to display a variety of models in various colors or to describe a product’s distinguishing features.

In department and apparel stores, Making out sales checks, receiving payments, bagging or packaging purchases, giving receipts and handing back change are all duties a retail salesperson may have. They may be responsible for opening and closing cash registers, which may include separating charge slips from coupons and exchange vouchers, counting money, and making deposits at the cash office.

In addition, returns and exchanges, gift wrapping, mark price tags, take inventory, help stock shelves or racks, prepare displays, and arrange for mailing or purchase deliveries are also done by them. They must keep up to date on upcoming sales and promotions. They must also be aware of security threats and know how to manage and prevent such situations. Salespersons are expected to keep their work areas neat, and to maintain a pleasant cheerful and helpful attitude.

The rise in the number of consumers driven by the growth of organised retail sector has attracted huge corporate investments in this sector. With the entry of super markets, numerous departmental stores and shopping malls, the retailers are looking at further expansion by chalking out new business plans. Organised retail has provided the Indian economy with better quality products and services that has led to stiff competition. In addition, it has witnessed an exponential export growth over the past few years. The following are the different perceptions and expectations of retail recruitment.

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Sources Since the jobs involve odd working hours; front-line staffs are recruited from those living in the vicinity of the store. References are often a cost-effective source of recruitment, and it also has a high hit ratio.

Selection Defining the selection process to ensure that the right person comes on board is very important. In retail companies, where the emphasis is on service, recruitment, selection processes and job criteria are well-defined. Recruitment is viewed as an important activity, and conducted by a senior person. Another issue in retail selection is that of integrity. Hence the need to define a selection process to identify the trait of integrity. Many retailers insist on careful preliminary screening of candidates, reference checks, and detailed checks with previous employers and so on.

Manpower supply The retail industry faces a shortage of trained personnel all over the world. While there is no dearth of people who want the jobs, there is an acute shortage of institutes to train people in retail skills/knowledge.  Several retailers have established large training teams and even institutes affiliated with them where people are trained for retail jobs on a large scale.

Working hours Recruiting in retail is difficult as front-line jobs involve ‘unsocial hours’- on weekends and public holidays which is unavoidable for the retailer. As a result, the pool of available and willing manpower shrinks.

Manpower demand Customer-buying is seasonal and depends on festivals, the weather and other factors. Hence there are peaks and troughs in sales through the year. Recruitment must be adjusted to take into account these variations. If permanent staffs are hired during this peak season, they will be underutilized for the larger part of the year. Thus retail recruitment demands greater flexibility and resourcefulness.

Reputation Candidates often feel that retail jobs are merely “standing in a dukaan”, with no career prospects. This has, however, changed with the advent of large, professionally-run department stores.

Job All retail employees have to face customers and interact with them to a certain extent. Hence, apart from technical/job knowledge the retail recruiter needs to look for additional attributes in the candidate such as communication skills, personality and appearance. This is difficult to find such candidates more.

Customer profile For all jobs that involve interaction with customers, the impact on them has to be taken into account. For example, store personnel may need to know an additional language if a large proportion of customers speak a specific language. Similarly, when the customers are children, a salesman may need skills like storytelling, juggling or performing a few magic tricks apart from selling.

Mobility Often sales people who seek careers in retail jobs aspire to move quickly up the ladder and become supervisors, department managers, merchandisers, store heads etc. Retail businesses grow by increasing their sales volume by setting up new stores in new locations. And opportunities for jobs involving more responsibility often emerge there, provided the employee has geographic mobility and across functions. Hence determining mobility in recruiting is important for employee retention.

Women in retail The nature of jobs that exist such as customer service personnel or buyers make retail an attractive option for women. In India, women are still reluctant to take on jobs that involve late hours. However, recruitment decisions depend on customer expectations and comfort.

Legislation

The Shops & Establishments Act has fixed store opening and closing timings, the duration an employee can work, mandatory leave/holidays and breaks after a specified number of hours, and special provisions for the employment of women. Hence while deciding shifts, breaks, weekly offs and staffing patterns, the retailer needs to ensure that he is on the right side of the law.

by No To the Bike Parking Tax

Millions of dollars are spent by consumers every day on different types of merchandise. And because consumers quickly form an impression of a store by the way in which they are treated, retailers fervently stress the importance of providing courteous and efficient service. Having high-quality customer service is essential in order for a business to stay competitive.

Retail salespersons can work selling a vast variety of items. From shoes to computer software they provide assistance to customers interesting them in various merchandise and helping them find what they are looking for. They may be asked to demonstrate a product’s use, to display a variety of models in various colors or to describe a product’s distinguishing features.

In department and apparel stores, Making out sales checks, receiving payments, bagging or packaging purchases, giving receipts and handing back change are all duties a retail salesperson may have. They may be responsible for opening and closing cash registers, which may include separating charge slips from coupons and exchange vouchers, counting money, and making deposits at the cash office.

In addition, returns and exchanges, gift wrapping, mark price tags, take inventory, help stock shelves or racks, prepare displays, and arrange for mailing or purchase deliveries are also done by them. They must keep up to date on upcoming sales and promotions. They must also be aware of security threats and know how to manage and prevent such situations. Salespersons are expected to keep their work areas neat, and to maintain a pleasant cheerful and helpful attitude.

The rise in the number of consumers driven by the growth of organised retail sector has attracted huge corporate investments in this sector. With the entry of super markets, numerous departmental stores and shopping malls, the retailers are looking at further expansion by chalking out new business plans. Organised retail has provided the Indian economy with better quality products and services that has led to stiff competition. In addition, it has witnessed an exponential export growth over the past few years. The following are the different perceptions and expectations of retail recruitment.

]]>

Sources Since the jobs involve odd working hours; front-line staffs are recruited from those living in the vicinity of the store. References are often a cost-effective source of recruitment, and it also has a high hit ratio.

Selection Defining the selection process to ensure that the right person comes on board is very important. In retail companies, where the emphasis is on service, recruitment, selection processes and job criteria are well-defined. Recruitment is viewed as an important activity, and conducted by a senior person. Another issue in retail selection is that of integrity. Hence the need to define a selection process to identify the trait of integrity. Many retailers insist on careful preliminary screening of candidates, reference checks, and detailed checks with previous employers and so on.

Manpower supply The retail industry faces a shortage of trained personnel all over the world. While there is no dearth of people who want the jobs, there is an acute shortage of institutes to train people in retail skills/knowledge.  Several retailers have established large training teams and even institutes affiliated with them where people are trained for retail jobs on a large scale.

Working hours Recruiting in retail is difficult as front-line jobs involve ‘unsocial hours’- on weekends and public holidays which is unavoidable for the retailer. As a result, the pool of available and willing manpower shrinks.

Manpower demand Customer-buying is seasonal and depends on festivals, the weather and other factors. Hence there are peaks and troughs in sales through the year. Recruitment must be adjusted to take into account these variations. If permanent staffs are hired during this peak season, they will be underutilized for the larger part of the year. Thus retail recruitment demands greater flexibility and resourcefulness.

Reputation Candidates often feel that retail jobs are merely “standing in a dukaan”, with no career prospects. This has, however, changed with the advent of large, professionally-run department stores.

Job All retail employees have to face customers and interact with them to a certain extent. Hence, apart from technical/job knowledge the retail recruiter needs to look for additional attributes in the candidate such as communication skills, personality and appearance. This is difficult to find such candidates more.

Customer profile For all jobs that involve interaction with customers, the impact on them has to be taken into account. For example, store personnel may need to know an additional language if a large proportion of customers speak a specific language. Similarly, when the customers are children, a salesman may need skills like storytelling, juggling or performing a few magic tricks apart from selling.

Mobility Often sales people who seek careers in retail jobs aspire to move quickly up the ladder and become supervisors, department managers, merchandisers, store heads etc. Retail businesses grow by increasing their sales volume by setting up new stores in new locations. And opportunities for jobs involving more responsibility often emerge there, provided the employee has geographic mobility and across functions. Hence determining mobility in recruiting is important for employee retention.

Women in retail The nature of jobs that exist such as customer service personnel or buyers make retail an attractive option for women. In India, women are still reluctant to take on jobs that involve late hours. However, recruitment decisions depend on customer expectations and comfort.

Legislation

The Shops & Establishments Act has fixed store opening and closing timings, the duration an employee can work, mandatory leave/holidays and breaks after a specified number of hours, and special provisions for the employment of women. Hence while deciding shifts, breaks, weekly offs and staffing patterns, the retailer needs to ensure that he is on the right side of the law.