Retail Sales Workers

More than 4.6 million people are employed as sales workers in retail stores of all types and sizes. According to the Department of Labor (DOL), little or no employment change is expected for retail sales workers through 2029 as competition from online sales and a shrinking number of brick-and-mortar retail stores impacts employment.

"The increase in online sales is expected to continue over the next decade, limiting growth in the number of physical retail stores and reducing demand for retail sales workers," the DOL explains. "Online sales also are projected to affect specific segments of the retail industry to varying extents. For example, book and media stores are likely to see the most severe declines due to online competition. However, other retail segments, such as automobile dealers, have experienced much less of an impact."

Nevertheless, turnover among sales workers is much higher than the average for other occupations, and employment opportunities will stem from the need to replace workers. Other positions will result from existing stores' staffing for longer business hours or reducing the length of the average employee workweek.

As drug, variety, grocery, and other stores have rapidly converted to self-service operations, they will need fewer sales workers. At the same time, many products, such as electrical appliances, home audio systems, computers, and sporting goods, do not lend themselves to self-service operations. These products require extremely skilled sales workers to assist customers and explain the benefits of various makes and models. On balance, as easy-to-sell goods will be increasingly marketed in self-service stores, the demand in the future will be strongest for sales workers who are knowledgeable about particular types of products.

In early 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak had a major impact on every industry, including retailing, causing supply chain disruptions, temporary and permanent store closures, and layoffs. The economic fallout that accompanied the pandemic resulted in additional challenges for retailers. During economic recessions, sales volume and the resulting demand for sales workers generally decline. Purchases of costly items, such as cars, appliances, and furniture, tend to be postponed during difficult economic times. In areas of high unemployment, sales of all types of goods might decline. Since turnover of sales workers is usually very high, however, employers often can cut payrolls simply by not replacing all those who leave.

There should continue to be good opportunities for temporary and part-time workers, especially during the holidays. Stores are particularly interested in people who, by returning year after year, develop good sales backgrounds.