INTRODUCTION
Malaysia is fast becoming a shopping paradise for both the local people as well as tourists. There are all kinds of shops selling different goods and services to cater to the multifarious needs of customers. There are small shops, specialty outlets, luxury goods shops, supermarket chains, departmental stores and warehouses. The employment prospects in the retail industry are thus promising. Personnel are needed to sell goods to customers, buy goods from suppliers, advertise, market and help the shops and stores function smoothly.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Types of jobs in the retail industry include:
(a) Manager (Wholesale Trade)
- Plans, organises wholesale trades and directs workers engaged in selling goods to retailers and industrial, commercial or other large customers.
- Analyses current and future market trends in relation to the demand and supply of goods.
- Decides on purchasing, advertising, sales and credit policies of the undertaking.
- Organises and controls the work of supervisors and other staff.
- Acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers.

(b) Manager (Retail Trade)
- Plans, organises a business in retail trade and directs workers engaged in selling goods for personal or household consumption and utilisation.
- Decides on purchasing, advertising, sales and credit policies and devises methods of promoting sales.
- Organises and controls work of supervisors and other staff.
- May visit showrooms and undertake buying missions.
- May manage a branch of multiple undertakings.

(c) Brand/Product Manager
- Works for a distributor to promote one or more brands of goods.
- Sees to the promotions, distributions, orders and sales of items.
- Hires and trains sales personnel, oversees merchandise displays and keeps track of stock movements.
- Checks with dealers to ensure that standards are maintained and advises them on selling techniques and customer service requirements.

(d) Sales Supervisor
- Supervises workers.
- Estimates the needs of business and purchases or authorises the purchase of goods, usually under the direction of a manager.
- Ensures that credit and other sales policies of the undertaking are observed.

(e) Merchandiser (Buyer)
- Orders goods from manufacturers and suppliers for retail purposes.
- Contacts suppliers to place new and repeated orders.
- Sources for new products by meeting suppliers and viewing their product range.
- Ensures that the right products are purchased at the right prices.
- Obtains advice from retail executives on products that are saleable at each outlet and customers' price expectations.
- Ensures that price of goods are competitive and products are well represented at the outlets.
- Works with advertising and promotion personnel to see that products are placed appropriately in advertisements.

(f) Cashier
- Receives payments for goods.
- Checks price tags and punches the right amount into the cash register.
- Must be familiar with various forms of cashless payments such as credit cards, bank cards, cheques, vouchers and discount cards.
- Balances cash in the drawer with the day's transactions after closing.

(g) Display Artist
- Arranges windows and indoor displays.
- Draws designs and looks for materials as props.
- Selects colours and lighting and sets up the display.
- Ensures that display items are securely placed.

(h) Sales Assistant
- Serves customers and provides information on products.
- Dusts shelves, stacks goods and counts stock.
- Unpacks goods and puts on price tags when goods arrive.
- May have to handle payments and pack goods into carrier bags