Retail Skills: An Introduction

Access 2

Outcomes

1. Identify the use of equipment commonly associated with a retail environment.

2. Perform allocated tasks in a retail environment while supervised.

Outcomes 1 and 2

You will learn the names of items of retail equipment, what they are used for and how to look after them.

You will get the chance to practice working in a retail setting.

Shop visits

You and your class will get the chance to visit retail shops to see the different types of retail equipment being used.

You must complete a log each time you visit. This can be found at the end of the workbook.

After each visit talk to your partner and discuss how you think it went.

Background information

You will learn what’s like to work in a retail outlet (shop).

Your teacher/tutor will work through this PowerPoint show. They will then ask you to work through the Student Workbook to complete the tasks.

When you have completed each task, ask your teacher/tutor to check it.

More information

When you see this icon , it means you are ready to do a task.

Your responsibilities

You will be responsible for your own work.

You must always check your work for errors.

You will also be responsible for marking the work of your classmates.

The way you workThe way you work

There will be a high level of help from the teacher/tutor.

As you progress, you will take ownership of your own work and ensure the quality of your work is good.

What will you learn?What will you learn?

You will learn how to:

store stock

hygienically handle stock

help customers

handle money

look after your own and others’ health and safety.

What is retail?What is retail?

Retail is all about selling items to people.

This unit will teach you how to work in a retail outlet or shop.

StockStock

This what is sold to customers.

Shops need to make sure they have enough stock in the warehouse or storeroom.

Shops won’t keep too much stock as it could go out of date.

Warehouse/stock roomWarehouse/stock room

Spare stock is kept in the warehouse or stock room.

Stock should always be stored safely.

Items shouldn’t be stored too high up. Heavy items should be stored at floor level.

Stock should be kept at the correct

temperature.

CustomerCustomer

A customer is a person who buys the stock.

Retail equipment is split into the Retail equipment is split into the following categories: following categories:

stock storage equipment stock handling equipment stock replenishing equipment stock display/shelving equipment stock wrapping material product location equipment.

Now do Tasks 1–5.Now do Tasks 1–5.

Stock storage equipmentStock storage equipment

You will find out about the different

types of equipment used to store stock

in the warehouse or stock room:

shelving units fridges freezers.

Shelving unitsShelving units

These are used to store items of stock in the warehouse, eg tins of beans, cereal, bottled water, etc.

You clean them by washing them with a damp cloth and maintain them by tightening bolts when they loosen.

Fridges Fridges

A fridge is used to store chilled items in the warehouse or stock room.

You clean it by emptying it and cleaning the inside with a damp cloth.

FreezersFreezers

Freezers are used to store frozen items in the warehouse.

You clean it by emptying it, defrosting it and cleaning it with a damp cloth.

Now do Task 6.Now do Task 6.

Stock handling equipmentStock handling equipment

You will now learn about some of the items

used to handle cold meats, cheeses,

Sweets, etc:

food tongs food scoops disposable gloves.

Food tongsFood tongs

These are a grasping item used to pick up food items.

After use, you clean them in hot soapy water.

ScoopScoop

This item is used to scoop up food items, eg salad, spiced onions or sweets.

You clean the scoop in hot soapy water.

Disposable glovesDisposable gloves

These are used by shop assistants to pick up food items, eg cold meat, cheese, raw meats, etc.

They stop germs passing from the hands of the shop assistant onto the food.

Put them in the bin after use.

Now do Task 7.Now do Task 7.

Stock replenishing equipmentStock replenishing equipment

Stock on the shop floor must never run out.

The word replenish means to put stock on the shelves.

If there is no stock on the shelves then customers will shop elsewhere.

You will need to use equipment to replenish the shelves.

Stock replenishing equipment:Stock replenishing equipment:

kickstool pallet truck wooden pallet electric pallet truck flatbed trolley roll cage mobile safety steps handy steps.

KickstoolKickstool

A stool with small wheels used in shops, etc to reach high shelves.

The wheels stop working when

someone stands on it.

Clean the kickstool with a damp cloth.

Pallet truckPallet truck The hand pallet truck is an excellent

means for carrying or lifting heavy loads on pallets.

It is used in warehouses and on the shop floor when the shop is closed.

Always keep clean and well oiled.

Wooden palletWooden pallet

A wooden pallet is a flat piece of wood that supports stock in a stable fashion while it is lifted by a pallet truck.

Electric pallet truckElectric pallet truck

Electric pallet trucks are motorised to allow lifting and moving of stacked pallets.

They generally contain a platform for the user to stand on while hauling pallets around a warehouse or loading/unloading trucks.

Flatbed trolleyFlatbed trolley

Useful for moving small amounts of stock around the warehouse or shop floor.

The flatbed trolley should always be kept clean.

You should use a damp cloth to clean any spillages.

Roll cagesRoll cages

Stored in the warehouse.

Useful when moving large amounts of small stock from warehouse or stock room to the shop floor.

Clean all spillages with a damp cloth.

Mobile safety stepsMobile safety steps

Can reach stock on high shelves.

They can be moved around the warehouse.

Clean any spillages with a damp cloth.

Be careful when using them!

Handy stepsHandy steps

• These are used to reach stock on shelves.

• Make sure the steps are always clean.

• Use a damp cloth to clean any spillages on

the steps.

Now do Tasks 8 and 9.Now do Tasks 8 and 9.

Stock display equipmentStock display equipment

Used to show customers what stock is available.

Designed to persuade customers to buy stock from the shop.

Stock display equipment:Stock display equipment:

mannequins display clothing rails display counters shelves freezers chill cabinets.

MannequinsMannequins

Used in clothing shops to display clothing, eg jackets, sweatshirts, etc.

Mannequins should be cleaned using soapy water and a cloth.

Display clothing railsDisplay clothing rails

Used by clothes shops to display their stock, eg T-shirts, jumpers, etc.

Clothing rails should be cleaned on a regular basis using a cloth and soapy water.

Display countersDisplay counters

Used to display stock.

Display counters can be used to display jewellery, aftershave, perfume or food products.

They must be kept clean using a damp cloth and glass cleaner.

ShelvesShelves

Used by shops to display their stock, eg tins of soup, coffee, bottled water, etc.

Shelving must always be kept clean.

Use soapy water and a cloth to clean the shelves.

FreezersFreezers

Used to display frozen items such as ice cubes, ice-cream, frozen chips, etc.

Defrost every few weeks and clean with a damp cloth.

Chill cabinetsChill cabinets

Used to store milk, cream, yoghurts, butter, etc .

Chill cabinets are also called fridges.

Clean the chill cabinet with a

damp cloth.

Now do Tasks 10 and 11. Now do Tasks 10 and 11.

Stock wrapping materialStock wrapping material

You will now find out about the different types of wrapping

material used by retail outlets:

bubble wrap boxes cardboard tubes plastic bags paper bags reusable bags.

Bubble wrapBubble wrap

This is a sheet of plastic with air bubbles in it that is used as a packing material.

Used to wrap stock that could break easily, eg cups, saucers, glasses or vases.

BoxesBoxes

Some bakers use boxes to wrap rolls or cakes.

A supply of these would be kept at the checkout.

Cardboard tubesCardboard tubes

Shops use tubes to wrap posters or pictures.

A supply of these would be kept at the checkout.

They are good for the environment as they can be recycled.

Plastic bagsPlastic bags

These allow customers to carry home their shopping.

Many shops now charge for their use.

Can be reused but start to break after a few uses. Not good for the environment as they cannot be recycled.

Paper bagsPaper bags

Some shops use paper bags to wrap stock, eg birthday cards, cakes, rolls, etc.

They are normally kept beside the checkout or till.

They are good for the environment as they can be recycled.

Reusable shopping bagReusable shopping bag

A reusable shopping bag, sometimes called a bag for life, is a type of shopping bag that can be reused several times.

This is an alternative to single-use paper or plastic bags.

They are good for environment as they get reused

time and time again.

Now do Tasks 12 and 13. Now do Tasks 12 and 13.

Product location signsProduct location signs

Used by supermarkets and shops to direct customers to items.

Often found above aisles.

Product location information:Product location information: fruit and veg meat and fish chilled frozen drinks tinned items bakery health and beauty.

Other signs:Other signs:

customer service desk point of sale (checkouts) sale signs.

Now do Task 14.Now do Task 14.

Customer serviceCustomer service

Good customer service is all about bringing customers back.

It is about sending them away happy – happy enough to pass positive feedback about your business along to their friends.

Helping customers – role playHelping customers – role play

One of you is going to pretend to be a customer.

Two of you are going to pretend to be shop assistants.

Good luck!

Role playRole play

• Assistant: Hello and welcome to Scotts. Is there something I can help you with today?

• Customer: Sure, I’m looking for some chocolates for my wife. She’s not feeling too great.

Role playRole play

Assistant : I’d be glad to help you make your wife feel better. My name is ‘your name’.

Assistant : Mary Smith runs the confectionary department. If you’ll walk this way, I’ll show you where it is.

Role playRole play

• Assistant: Mary, this customer is trying to cheer his wife up with some chocolates. Do you think you could help him find something nice?

• Mary: Not a problem, this way sir.

• Customer: Okay, thank you!

Cash tillCash till

A till is an electronic device for recording sales. It has a cash drawer for storing cash.

The till also prints a receipt for the customer.

Normally found in small shops.

Supermarket checkoutSupermarket checkout

A checkout is an electronic device for recording sales. It has a cash drawer for storing cash.

It has a scanner which reads the barcode.

The checkout also prints a receipt for the customer.

Normally found in supermarkets.

Self-checkoutSelf-checkout

Self-checkout machines allow you to scan your own items.

They have a scanner which reads the barcode.

The checkout also prints a receipt for the customer.

Normally found in supermarkets.

Cash till – try it for yourselfCash till – try it for yourself

Your teacher/tutor will show you how to use the till.

You will try to work out how much the customer owes the shop for the items they bought.

Now do Task 15.Now do Task 15.

Manual handlingManual handling

In the retail industry you may need to do the following

tasks:

packing and unpacking stock stacking shelves taking boxes on and off pallets hanging up clothing on racks moving roll cages moving trolleys and pallet trucks cleaning floors and shelves.

Lifting itemsLifting items

The correct way to lift itemsThe correct way to lift items

Warning!!!Warning!!!

Back injuries are one of the most serious types of strain.

Too much strain on your back can lead to long-term damage.

Peer assessment

Try and lift the item on your own, copying what your teacher/tutor showed you.

Your classmates will complete a peer assessment form and they will give you feedback afterwards.

Now do Task 16.Now do Task 16.

AccidentsAccidents

An accident is an unplanned event that results in an injury, or could have resulted in an injury, or results in damage to equipment or property.

What do you do if an accident What do you do if an accident happens?happens?

Quickly call for a trained first aider.

If needed, phone for the police, fire service or ambulance.

Complete an accident report form.

What is an accident report form?

Anyone can complete an accident report form.

All the facts are recorded before details are forgotten.

Can help reduce risk of accident happening again.

Now do Task 17.Now do Task 17.