What Does a Cashier Do?
Find out what a cashier does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as a cashier.
Cashiers are the frontline employees of retail stores, supermarkets, and other consumer-facing businesses. They are responsible for interacting with customers and providing them with an exceptional shopping experience.
Cashiers are often the first—and sometimes only—person that customers see when they enter a store or restaurant. This means that they have a unique opportunity to positively influence their customer’s experience, which can ultimately impact the company’s bottom line.
Cashier Job Duties
Cashiers have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Performing basic math calculations such as counting change, adding and subtracting numbers, and calculating prices on items that need to be priced manually
- Processing return transactions, refunding money to customers who have returned merchandise or exchanged items for store credit
- Receiving and processing incoming shipments of new inventory, recording inventory levels in a database, and communicating with suppliers about out-of-stock items
- Verifying customer identification when cash is being exchanged for large amounts of money in order to prevent money laundering or other illegal activities from occurring
- Handling customer complaints and resolving problems regarding billing errors or unsatisfactory products or services
- Receiving payments from customers for utility bills, insurance premiums, etc., by using an automated teller machine (ATM) or other electronic payment device
- Processing cash payments for services or merchandise by providing change or receipts to customers
- Accepting payments from customers via credit card or other means of electronic payment such as PayPal or Venmo
- Recommending products and services to customers based on their needs and interests
Cashier Salary & Outlook
Cashiers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, work experience, and the company for which they work. They may also receive bonuses and other forms of compensation.
- Median Annual Salary: $25,000 ($12.02/hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $49,500 ($23.8/hour)
The employment of cashiers is expected to decline over the next decade.
The growth of self-service technology, such as electronic kiosks and mobile payment systems, will allow retailers to reduce the number of cashiers they employ. Self-service checkout systems can process payments and track inventory more quickly than people can. As a result, these systems may allow retailers to increase productivity and reduce their costs.
Cashier Job Requirements
A cashier may be required to have the following:
Education: Cashiers are typically required to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. However, earning your associate’s degree can help you get a position at a larger company. An associate’s degree could also increase your earning potential.
Training & Experience: Cashiers typically receive on-the-job training from their supervisors or managers. This training may include cashiering procedures, customer service techniques and cash handling methods. Training may last for a few days or a few weeks, depending on the establishment.
Certifications & Licenses: Certifications allow cashiers to gain more knowledge of their responsibilities and further advance their careers.
Cashier Skills
Cashiers need the following skills in order to be successful:
Memory: Having a good memory can help cashiers remember customer orders and other important information. This can help them provide customers with the right products and ensure they receive the correct change. It can also help them remember to provide customers with coupons or other promotions.
Organizational skills: Cashiers need organizational skills to keep their work area clean and organized. This includes keeping the cash drawer organized and balancing it at the end of each shift. Organizational skills also help cashiers keep track of their cash and receipts throughout their shift.
Strong communication skills: Communication skills are essential for cashiers to have because they need to be able to communicate with customers and coworkers. Cashiers should be able to explain company policies, answer questions and resolve issues. They should also be able to communicate with coworkers and managers to ensure that customers receive the products and services they need.
Friendliness: Being friendly can help you build a rapport with customers and encourage them to return to your store. Try to greet customers with a smile and be attentive to their needs. You can also ask customers how they’re doing and if they need any help. This can help you build a relationship with them and make them feel appreciated.
Retail knowledge: Cashiers should have a basic understanding of the products they sell. This can help them answer customer questions and provide helpful information. You can also learn about new products by reading product information and studying advertisements.
Cashier Work Environment
Cashiers typically work in retail establishments, such as grocery stores, gasoline stations, and department stores. They usually work the day shift, although some stores are open 24 hours and cashiers may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Many cashiers work part time, and some may have more than one job. The work can be fast-paced and sometimes stressful, especially during busy periods. Cashiers must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift or carry heavy bags of merchandise.
Cashier Trends
Here are three trends influencing how cashiers work. Cashiers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.
Greater Focus on Employee Satisfaction
Employers are increasingly focusing on employee satisfaction as a way to improve productivity and reduce turnover. This is good news for cashiers, who can use their people skills to build relationships with customers and improve the overall shopping experience.
In order to take advantage of this trend, cashiers should focus on developing a positive attitude and providing excellent customer service. They should also be willing to go the extra mile to make sure that customers are happy with their experience.
The Use of Technology to Automate Tasks
The use of technology to automate tasks is an emerging trend that is quickly changing the way businesses operate. This trend is particularly evident in the retail industry, where cashiers are being replaced by machines that can scan and bag items faster and more accurately than a human can.
As technology continues to evolve, cashiers will need to find ways to utilize it in order to stay competitive. This may include learning to use new machines or developing skills in areas such as marketing or customer service.
Customer Expectations Continue to Rise
As customers continue to become more tech-savvy, they are beginning to expect more from the businesses they interact with. This is especially true for cashiers, who are often the first point of contact for customers.
Cashiers need to be prepared to handle customer inquiries about products, services, and the company in general. They also need to be able to handle transactions quickly and efficiently, as well as be knowledgeable about the company’s return policy.
How to Become a Cashier
A career as a cashier can be the perfect way to start your working life. It’s a great way to get started in the retail industry, and it can give you a chance to learn about different products and how a business works. You’ll also develop customer service skills that will be valuable in any industry.
When you’re starting out, it’s important to be willing to take on different tasks and to be flexible. You may have to work night shifts or weekends, and you may have to do some cleaning or stock work. Be prepared to learn new things and to work hard.
As you progress in your career, you may want to move into a supervisory role. This can give you more responsibility and the chance to lead a team. You may also want to specialize in a particular area of retail, such as fashion or cosmetics.
Related: How to Write a Cashier Resume
Advancement Prospects
There are a few ways to advance as a cashier. One is to move into a management position, such as store manager or assistant manager. Another is to move into a position that requires more customer interaction, such as customer service representative. A third is to move into a position that requires more technical skills, such as bookkeeper or accountant. And a fourth is to move into a position that requires more physical labor, such as stocker or janitor.
The best way to advance as a cashier is to get more education and training. For example, you could get a degree in business administration or accounting. Or you could get certified as a certified public accountant or a certified financial planner. Or you could get training in customer service or sales.
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