What skills should I put on a retail CV?

Customer service, cash handling, stock replenishment and teamwork, each with an example of where you did it. Those are what most shop adverts ask for.

Should I put my availability on my CV?

Yes, if it is a selling point, such as weekends or evenings. A short line in your profile or at the end is enough.

I have never worked in a shop. Can I still apply?

Yes. Retail is a common first job. Show customer-facing experience from volunteering, school events or helping out, and say you are happy to learn the till.

CV guide

Retail assistant CV example

Shop jobs are all about customers, the till and keeping the shop floor ready. Here is what to put on a retail assistant CV, the words shop adverts use and a full example.

What employers look for

Friendly, helpful customer service
Accurate cash and card handling on the till
Replenishing stock and keeping the shop floor tidy
Working as part of a team on busy days
Availability, including weekends and holidays
Age-restricted sales, such as Challenge 25

Words to use from the advert

These come up again and again in adverts for this kind of job. Use the advert's own words on your CV, but only where they are true for you.

Customer service
Till / cash handling
Replenishment
Merchandising
Stock rotation
Challenge 25
Team player
Flexible availability

Make each line show what you did

The examples below are invented. Yours should describe what you really did.

Weaker

Worked on the tills.

Stronger

Served customers on the till, handling cash and card payments accurately and balancing the till at the end of the day.

Weaker

Did stock.

Stronger

Replenished shelves from deliveries, rotated stock by date and set up promotional displays.

Example retail assistant CV

A made-up example. The person, employers and dates are invented, and every line is something that could be backed up.

Alex Morgan

Birmingham · 07700 900123 · alex.morgan@example.com

Profile

Friendly retail assistant with two years' experience in a busy convenience store. Confident on the till, handling age-restricted sales and keeping shelves full and tidy.

Experience

Retail Assistant, Corner Fresh, Selly Oak, 2024 to present
Serve customers on the till, handling cash and card payments and balancing the till at close.
Follow Challenge 25 for age-restricted sales.
Replenish shelves, rotate stock by date and set up promotional displays.
Volunteer, Hope Charity Shop, Kings Heath, 2023
Sorted and priced donations and helped customers on the shop floor.

Education

Hillcrest Academy, Birmingham: 6 GCSEs including English and Maths

Want a layout to start from? Download our free UK CV template, or have your CV written from what you tell us with Build my CV.

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Questions about retail assistant CVs

What skills should I put on a retail CV?: Customer service, cash handling, stock replenishment and teamwork, each with an example of where you did it. Those are what most shop adverts ask for.
Should I put my availability on my CV?: Yes, if it is a selling point, such as weekends or evenings. A short line in your profile or at the end is enough.
I have never worked in a shop. Can I still apply?: Yes. Retail is a common first job. Show customer-facing experience from volunteering, school events or helping out, and say you are happy to learn the till.