National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

• 6 - Sales and service occupations
• 64 - Sales and service representatives and other customer and personal services occupations
• 641 - Retail salespersons and non-technical wholesale trade sales and account representatives
• 6410 - Retail salespersons and non-technical wholesale trade sales and account representatives

64100 - Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers

Retail salespersons sell, rent or lease a range of technical and non-technical goods and services directly to consumers. Visual merchandisers plan, create and implement windows and in-store displays. They are employed by stores and other retail businesses, as well as wholesale businesses that sell on a retail basis to the public.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • audio equipment salesperson
  • automobile salesperson
  • car rental agent
  • clothing salesperson
  • computer salesperson - retail
  • counter clerk - retail
  • department store clerk
  • display designer
  • furniture salesperson
  • hardware store clerk
  • jewellery salesperson
  • retail sales associate
  • retail sales clerk
  • retail salesperson
  • sales consultant - retirement homes
  • window display designer

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Cashiers (See 65100 Cashiers)
  • Sales clerk supervisor (See 62010 Retail sales supervisors)
  • Stock clerk - retail (See 65102 Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Retail salespersons

  • Greet customers and discuss type, quality and quantity of merchandise or services sought for purchase, rental or lease
  • Advise customers on use and care of merchandise, and provide advice concerning specialized products or services
  • Estimate or quote prices, credit terms, trade-in allowances, warranties and delivery dates
  • Prepare merchandise for purchase, rental or lease
  • Prepare sales, rental or leasing contracts and accept cash, cheque, credit card or automatic debit payment
  • Assist in display of merchandise
  • Maintain sales records for inventory control
  • Operate computerized inventory record keeping and re-ordering systems
  • May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce.

  Visual merchandisers

  • Design and implement window and interior displays
  • Assemble visual retail displays to promote products, promotional events and seasonal change overs;
  • Ensure visual displays comply with brand guidelines and standards, including organization's culture, image and target markets
  • Set up lighting systems to create a visual atmosphere.

  Retail salespersons may specialize and act as consultants in home entertainment systems, computers and other products and services.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • A university degree or college diploma may be required by some employers.
  • Specific subject matter courses or training may be required.
  • Demonstrated sales ability and product knowledge are usually required for retail salespersons who sell complex or valuable merchandise, such as automobiles, antiques or computers.
  • Previous visual merchandising experience may be required.

• Additional information

  • Technical or sales training programs may be provided by employers.
  • Progression to retail supervisory positions is possible with additional training or experience.