Retail Salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
How AI Impacts Each Task
24 tasks analyzed
Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
Maintain records related to sales.
Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.
Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
Inventory stock and requisition new stock.
Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.
Estimate and quote trade-in allowances.
Help customers try on or fit merchandise.
Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.
Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.
Sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise.
Estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering.
Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.
Clean shelves, counters, and tables.
Rent merchandise to customers.
Estimate cost of repair or alteration of merchandise.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs. | 48.98Observed | 34.6% | 10% | |
| Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires. | 60.22Observed | 39.1% | 10% | |
| Maintain records related to sales. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 2% | |
| Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 10% | |
| Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental. | 62.1Observed | 57.8% | 3% | |
| Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise. | 49.68Observed | 34.9% | 8% | |
| Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices. | 52.5Observed | 70.2% | 3% | |
| Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits. | 52Estimated | 70.0% | 4% | |
| Prepare sales slips or sales contracts. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers. | 61.85Observed | 39.7% | 6% | |
| Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 4% | |
| Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales. | 43.23Observed | 50.3% | 6% | |
| Inventory stock and requisition new stock. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 4% | |
| Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns. | 60Estimated | 73.2% | 4% | |
| Estimate and quote trade-in allowances. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 2% | |
| Help customers try on or fit merchandise. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 3% | |
| Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 4% | |
| Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% | |
| Estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% | |
| Clean shelves, counters, and tables. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Rent merchandise to customers. | 85Estimated | 83.2% | 2% | |
| Estimate cost of repair or alteration of merchandise. | 60Estimated | 73.2% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Retail Salespersons skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Customer Service Fundamentals
by Knowledge Accelerators
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsAdvertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Bartenders
34%Median salary: $33,530
Higher risk than 63% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Concierges
34%Median salary: $37,320
Higher risk than 61% of other occupations
Counter and Rental Clerks
48%Median salary: $38,540
Higher risk than 96% of other occupations
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
35%Median salary: $47,320
Higher risk than 66% of other occupations
Floral Designers
31%Median salary: $36,120
Higher risk than 46% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
41%Median salary: $34,270
Higher risk than 84% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Parts Salespersons
41%Median salary: $37,440
Higher risk than 83% of other occupations
Pharmacy Aides
45%Median salary: $37,000
Higher risk than 91% of other occupations
Public Address System and Other Announcers
46%Higher risk than 93% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Tellers
53%Median salary: $39,340
Higher risk than 99% of other occupations
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
Auto Dealerships Build Custom AI to Automate Customer Service
Auto dealerships are increasingly developing proprietary artificial intelligence systems to handle daily operations and customer interactions. This shift threatens traditional sales support and administrative roles within the automotive retail sector.
McKinsey report details how AI will redefine retail jobs and storefronts
A joint study explores the transformation of brick-and-mortar retail through artificial intelligence. Store employees and managers face a shifting landscape where AI tools will likely alter daily operations and customer service expectations.
Humanoid Robots Get Realistic Faces, Pushing Closer to Customer Service Roles
Robotics firm Noetix is developing highly realistic, biomimetic faces for its humanoid models. Crossing the uncanny valley is a critical step for deploying these robots in customer-facing roles like retail and hospitality.
Little Caesars Testing Drone Delivery in Wylie, Texas
Major retailers including Little Caesars and The Home Depot are rolling out new automation and technology pilots, from drone delivery to store operations. These deployments signal a continued push to reduce frontline retail headcount through tech integration.
40K retail store closures projected over 5 years, threatening frontline jobs
Up to 40,000 retail locations may shut down over the next five years due to shifting economic policies. This massive contraction threatens to displace hundreds of thousands of frontline retail workers who will need to transition to new industries.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis