All About Retail Salaries, Retail Job Requirements, a Career in Retail and more on Mywage Zambia
By Sanday Chongo Kabange
As the country continues to attract more foreign direct investment in different sectors of the economy, there is immense growth in tourism, construction and retail. Foreign-financed retail stores as well as local ones are opening up branches in the remotest parts of the country. For example, some South African retail giants have opened up outlets even in the most rural districts of Zambia. The establishment of these branches and other local retail outlets have opened up opportunities for youths who are straight from school or are unemployed. One exciting career for adolescents, especially young women with little work experience, is that of a Sales Representative or Cashier.
Responsibilities
Cashiers are responsible for selling multiple products stocked by a retail store. They are also responsible for meeting monthly sales volume targets, effective coverage or distribution of sales territories, and ensuring product availability on outlets they operate from. They are sometimes also responsible for establishing new markets for their products, collecting debt., merchandising, handling customer queries and providing efficient customer services.
Skills
Cashiers are required to be highly organised with excellent planning skills, should be able to work with minimum supervision, have good oral and written business communication skills, be open minded, patient and able to meet targets.
Required Qualifications
To work in a retail store, an applicant is required to possess a Diploma in Sales, Marketing and Advertising. Sales Representatives are also required to be highly motivated, self starters and aggressive goal-getters.
Salary Check
Salaries for a Cashier range from between K600, 000 and K1, 400, 000 per month, depending on the size of the retail outlet one works for. 21-year-old Monica Kimberly Musanse works as Cashier at Ifli-Inshita Trading Store. She says when she started working as a Cashier at the age of 18, she was earning K450, 000 but now she is earns K1, 200, 000 per month.
Working Conditions
Musanse explains that Cashiers work either eight hours per day or in weekly schedules of three days after which they are off duty. She cited one gigantic South African retail store where Cashiers work up to 10 hours per day and then get one day off. Housing, Overtime, Meal and Transport Allowances are provided for in the Minimum Wages and Employment Act, but it is up to the employer to effect these in the contracts. Medical Aid and periodical health check-ups are mandatory as most Cashiers come into contact with different people during the course of their work. Since most families prefer being together on weekends, large retail outlets allow Cashiers to work half days, from 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and 8.30am to 1.30pm on Sundays.
Prospects
Joe Banda, a Human Resource Officer at Manhattans in Lusaka City Centre, says that with determination, creativity and innovation, a Cashier can end up running their own business effectively if given the opportunity.
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