National Occupational Classification (NOC): 64100
Fast Facts
- Average Pay: N/A
- Future Growth: N/A
- Skill Level: N/A
- Employment Size: N/A
- Unemployment: N/A
- Full-time Share: N/A
Sample Job Titles
- Audio equipment salesperson
- Automobile salesperson
- Car rental agent
- Clothing salesperson
- Computer salesperson – retail
- Display designer
- Hardware store clerk
- Jewellrey salesperson
- Retail salesperson
- Sales associate - retail
- Visual merchandiser
What do retail salespersons and visual merchandisers do?
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.
Retail salespersons perform some or all of the following duties:
- 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 perform some or all of the following duties:
- 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.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers work in many subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador, including:
- 448 Clothing and clothing accessories store
- 445 Food and beverage stores
- 452 General merchandise stores
- 444 Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers
- 441 Motor vehicle and parts dealers
- 451 Sporting goods, hobby, book and music
- 453 Miscellaneous store retailers
- 442 Health and personal care stores
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Short and Long Term Occupational Projections
Short Term Projections for 2023-2025
The employment outlook will be moderate for retail salespersons and visual merchandisers in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 3 out of 5) for the 2023-2025 period.
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Long Term Projections for 2023-2032
The outlook for retail salespersons and visual merchandisers is forecast to be balanced (rating of 2.2 out of 4) over the next several years, meaning projected labour supply is expected to meet forecasted job openings.
Source: Department of Finance, Occupation Projections (Summer 2023)
Number of Job Postings in 2023
During 2023, there were 1,477 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:
| Avalon: 55% | Western: 18% |
| Eastern: 8% | Labrador: 5% |
| Central: 14% | NL-unspecified: 0% |
Source: Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year)
Who works as retail salespersons and visual merchandisers in Newfoundland and Labrador?
During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 7,060 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 42% of those employed were Male+ and 58% of those employed were Female+.
Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:
| 15 to 24 | 25 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65+ |
| 31% | 45% | 17% | 6% |
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
How much do retail salespersons and visual merchandisers make?
Annual Earnings
The median employment income for all retail salespersons and visual merchandisers in the reference year 2020 (8,075 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $17,800.
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Hourly Earnings
Salary information for retail salespersons and visual merchandisers in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $15.00 | $15.00 | $23.00 |
The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
| $14.00 | $16.00 | $25.70 |
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2023)
- Merchandising
- Cash Register
- Selling Techniques
- Planogram
- Marketing
- Product Knowledge
- Point Of Sale
- Stocking Merchandise
- Inventory Control
Source: Lightcast
What training is required?
- 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.
- Technical or sales training programs may be provided by employers.
- Progression to retail supervisory positions is possible with additional training or experience.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
* Find public and private education, training and skills development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador here.