At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome customers, assist with product queries, and ensure a smooth sales process.
- Company: Join Haskins Garden Centres, a family-owned, award-winning business.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous discounts, up to 38 days holiday, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Full-time role with excellent career growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a fun team, help customers, and learn about outdoor living products.
- Qualifications: Enthusiastic individuals with great customer service skills; retail experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Our Retail Assistants welcome customers to the centre and help with questions across a wide variety of indoor product ranges. They play a crucial role in assisting customers, promoting products, and ensuring a smooth sales process. Based in the Seasonal and Sundries Department, the focus will be on providing excellent service and assisting our customers with their Garden Furniture, BBQs and Outdoor Living products during the Spring and Summer months. In the Autumn & Winter, you will be focused on our Christmas department, maintaining product presentation and stock levels within inventory control procedures. Involving some heavy lifting of products such as compost and aggregates, this role can be physically demanding.
In addition, we constantly strive to improve the service and experience we offer our customers, and we seek people passionate about excellent customer service, with a sense of humour and an eagerness to learn.
Responsibilities- Greet customers and assist them in finding products that meet their needs.
- Provide detailed information about products, including features and benefits.
- Engage in upselling techniques to maximise sales opportunities.
- Maintain an organised sales floor, ensuring products are well‑displayed and stocked.
- Process customer orders and transactions using computer and till systems.
This role is well suited to a self‑motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking individual with excellent customer service skills and a desire to learn. Ability to engage with customers and talk passionately about our wide range of products will be key to driving sales and enhancing customer satisfaction. Previous retail or sales experience is desirable.
Job DetailsWe are recruiting a Retail Assistant on a full‑time, permanent basis, working 38 hours a week including alternate weekends. Haskins Garden Centres is a family‑owned, award‑winning business with five destination garden centres across the South of England, each with a large restaurant.
Benefits- Generous Haskins Discount scheme.
- Up to 38 days of holiday (pro‑rata).
- Retail discounts and savings on day‑to‑day spending, days out and gifts.
- Cycle scheme to help spread the cost of a bike and save on tax.
- Health Cash Plan providing a 24‑hour online GP service and recover costs for dental and optical appointments.
- Time off to support local charities, with an annual paid Charity Day.
- Wellbeing support with Mental Health First Aiders and an external assistance programme providing free counselling and advice for employees and their families.
- Company pension scheme for eligible employees.
- Free on‑site parking.
Seasonal & Sundries Retail Assistant - Full Time - West End, Southampton in Eastleigh employer: Haskins Garden Centres
Haskins Garden Centres is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises customer service and employee wellbeing. With generous benefits such as up to 38 days of holiday, a comprehensive health cash plan, and opportunities for personal growth, employees are supported in both their professional and personal lives. Located in the picturesque West End of Southampton, our family-owned business fosters a sense of community and encourages staff to engage with local charities, making it a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal & Sundries Retail Assistant - Full Time - West End, Southampton in Eastleigh
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Haskins Garden Centres, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Haskins Garden Centres!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Haskins Garden Centres, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Haskins Garden Centres and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Haskins Garden Centres that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haskins Garden Centres
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
