What is a retail consultant and how do you become one?

Retail consultants today face far more challenges than they did in the past, as the technological revolution has introduced a plethora of novelties that they can introduce to their work.

A retail sales consultant has a job that is in its nature much similar to professions in communications but with extra steps. Sales consultants must always have the latest information and be aware of the best possible ways to guide client choices when making a new purchase.

If you are thinking about working as a retail consultant, we have prepared a guide to get you on the right track.

The bare essentials

When working as a retail consultant, it is of utmost importance to obtain a solid consultant insurance package before you continue working with clients.

Consultant insurance can help you stay protected against a host of unexpected occurrences, whether it is wrongful accusations by a client, or having an accident with your work vehicle. 

Regardless of the industry, working with individual clients and businesses almost always entails buying a solid insurance package so that you can avoid any dire consequences if any accident occurs. 

To best protect yourself when working as a retail consultant, look for an insurance company that will offer to help tailor your insurance plan to your needs. 

For instance, errors and omissions or professional liability insurance can help cover you if you happen to be facing accusations of failing to do your job correctly. General liability insurance will keep you protected from accidental property damage expenses or injuries.

Education, your resume and experience

When it comes to the role of education in becoming a retail consultant, many only have a bachelor’s degree, but further education options are also favourable. If you are determined to become a retail consultant, your soft skills will play a more relevant part than whether or not you have a master’s degree.

Organisational ability, problem solving skills, critical thinking, management skills, writing ability, customer service, and interpersonal skills, as well as leadership skills in general, are all just as important in your career progress as your education.

Your career path as a retail consultant

All in all, a retail sales consultant is a type of salesperson who, regardless of the industry, interacts with customers to promote products, aiming to earn commissions and make sales.

Approaching customers to determine and satisfy their needs is the focal point of retail consultant work, and they have to be well versed in the products or services they sell. 

The requirements on the education front are not immense, so in addition to a high school diploma, a two or four-year college degree can help on your way up towards attaining a management related position in sales.

If you lean towards a management position or want to be a supervisor, a degree in business, social sciences, or management-related fields is desirable.

On the job experience, dedication, and training are often more significant than formal education for retail consultants, so it is not uncommon for people to take up a job in sales while they are still in school and start acquiring valuable experience in the field. 

Moving forward in your career, you can use a career map to determine your goals and career progression, deciding which additional responsibilities are best to take on to progress to a leadership role sooner.

For instance, your goal could be to become a lead retail consultant, but you could effortlessly progress to becoming a store or district manager.

Basic retail consultant skills

Retail consultants often help customers on the sales floor, offering them the right solutions or combining said solutions into services, as well as inquiring about and helping resolve any possible account issues.

Retail consultants are often responsible for inventory management, filling out paperwork, tidying up the showroom, and opening or closing the store. 

Strong communication skills are an essential prerequisite for becoming a successful retail salesperson. Working on developing your soft skills, like emotional intelligence, can help you better understand and manage emotions to connect with clients on a more personal level.

Final words

Having previous experience always technically counts as a plus, but becoming a retail consultant does not always necessarily have to come with a rich previous working experience in the field if you are interested in going down this route.

Make sure you follow best practices and learn how to devote yourself to your role in a way that positively contributes to your career progress.