Retail CV template

by Amber Rolfe

Just finished school or looking to switch careers? A great retail CV could be your ticket to landing that perfect customer-facing role…

The retail industry offers fantastic opportunities for career growth – from sales assistant positions to management roles. But here’s the thing: with so many people applying for retail jobs, your CV needs to stand out from the crowd.

Whether you’re a seasoned retail professional or completely new to the industry, we’ll help you create a retail CV that gets noticed:

Download your free retail CV template

Just here for the template? Click the link below to download it in Word format.

Retail CV format

Your retail CV should follow a clear, professional structure that highlights your most relevant experience and skills. 

Here’s the format we recommend:

1. Name and contact details
2. Personal statement
3. Skills (optional, but recommended for career changers or those with limited experience)
4. Employment history
5. Education
6. Hobbies and interests (optional)
7. References

Remember, keep it concise; two pages maximum is ideal for most retail positions. 

How to write a retail CV

Contact details

Start with the basics at the top of your CV:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address (keep it professional)
• Location (city and postcode)
• LinkedIn profile (if you have one)

Personal statement

This is your chance to make a strong first impression. 

Your personal statement should tell employers three key things: who you are, what you can offer, and what you’re looking for in your career.

For retail positions, focus on customer service skills, sales experience, teamwork abilities, and any relevant achievements. Keep it to 3-4 sentences and tailor it to each job application.

Example retail personal statement:

Enthusiastic retail professional with three years’ experience in fast-paced customer service environments. Proven track record of exceeding sales targets by 15% and building strong customer relationships. Seeking a sales assistant role where I can utilise my communication skills and passion for helping customers find the perfect products.

How to write a personal statement

Skills section

While optional, a skills section can be incredibly valuable for your retail CV – especially if you’re new to the industry or changing careers. This section allows you to highlight your abilities before diving into work experience.

Essential retail skills to include:

• Customer service: Ability to assist customers with queries and complaints
• Communication: Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with colleagues
• Sales: Meeting targets and upselling products
• Cash handling: Processing payments and managing tills
• Problem-solving: Resolving customer issues quickly and effectively
• Flexibility: Adapting to changing schedules and demands
• Product knowledge: Understanding merchandise to help customers

Always back up your skills with specific examples where possible. Instead of simply listing ‘excellent customer service,’ try ‘Provided exceptional customer service, resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rating.’

Five great retail skills for your CV

Skills based CV template

Employment history

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. For each role, include:

• Job title
• Company name
• Employment dates
• Key responsibilities and achievements

Focus on results, not just duties. Rather than saying ‘Served customers,’ try ‘Served an average of 50 customers daily whilst maintaining high service standards.’ Use numbers, percentages, and specific examples wherever possible.

Example retail work experience entry:

Sales Assistant
Fashion Forward, Manchester
June 2022 – Present

• Achieved 110% of monthly sales targets for six consecutive months
• Processed over 200 transactions weekly with 99% accuracy
• Trained two new team members on product knowledge and customer service standards
• Resolved customer complaints, maintaining a 98% satisfaction rating

If you don’t have direct retail experience, don’t worry. Focus on transferable skills from other jobs, volunteering, or education that relate to retail work.

View all available jobs in the retail industry

Top CV mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)

Education

Include your educational qualifications from GCSE level onwards, starting with your most recent or relevant qualifications first.

For most retail positions, employers prioritise experience and skills over academic credentials, but you should still include your education section. Keep it concise – stating the qualification type, subject, grade, and institution is usually sufficient.

If you have relevant coursework or projects that relate to retail, customer service, or business, mention them briefly. If you feel like your lack of qualifications is holding you back, there are a number of retail courses you could take that could help demonstrate your abilities.

How to write a CV education section (with examples)

Hobbies and interests

This section is optional, but it can help show your personality and demonstrate relevant skills. Only include hobbies and interests if they:

• Demonstrate skills relevant to retail (teamwork, communication, leadership)
• Show your passion for the industry
• Give you something interesting to discuss at interview

Examples of retail-relevant hobbies:

• Team sports (shows teamwork and collaboration)
• Volunteering (demonstrates customer service mindset)
• Fashion blogging (relevant for clothing retail)
• Photography (useful for visual merchandising roles)

Avoid generic interests like ‘socialising with friends’ or ‘watching TV’ – these don’t add value to your application.

Six of the best extracurricular activities for your CV

References

Simply write ‘References available upon request’ at the bottom of your CV. Prepare a separate document with contact details for two professional references – ideally previous managers or supervisors who can speak about your work ethic and abilities.

Always ask permission before using someone as a reference, and keep them informed about the roles you’re applying for.

How to get a reference

Retail CV examples for different experience levels

Entry-level CV example for a retail job

Personal statement:

Recent college leaver with strong communication skills and a passion for customer service. Demonstrated leadership through role as head of student council and part-time work in hospitality. Eager to begin a retail career where I can develop sales skills and contribute to team success.

Key skills:

• Customer service (gained through weekend restaurant work)
• Cash handling and POS systems
• Team collaboration
• Time management
• Product presentation

Experienced retail professional CV example

Personal statement:

Results-driven retail manager with eight years’ experience leading high-performing teams in busy fashion environments. Consistently exceeded sales targets by 20% whilst developing staff and improving customer satisfaction scores. Seeking a senior retail role to further develop strategic planning and operational skills.

Key achievements:

• Increased store revenue by 25% over two years
• Reduced staff turnover by 30% through improved training programmes
• Implemented new visual merchandising standards adopted company-wide

Top tips for retail CV success

1. Tailor your CV for each application: Use keywords from the job description and highlight relevant experience
2. Quantify your achievements: Use numbers to demonstrate your impact (sales figures, customer satisfaction scores, team sizes)
3. Show your personality: Retail is about people, so let your enthusiasm and customer focus shine through
4. Include any relevant certifications such as customer service training, management, or retail-specific courses. 
5. Proofread carefully: Spelling and grammar errors suggest poor attention to detail

The best words to use in a CV (and the ones to avoid)

Final thoughts

With these strategies in hand, you’re well-prepared to write a retail CV that effectively highlights your skills and experience.

Remember, the retail industry is always changing, so it’s important to stay informed about new trends and technologies. Taking the initiative to develop your skills – whether that’s through retail training, new responsibilities, or professional networking – will help set you apart from other candidates.

Looking for more advice? Browse below:

• How to write a CV
• All CV templates
• All cover letter templates
• Retail Assistant cover letter template
• Eight ways to make your CV stand out
• Interview tips and advice
• Retail interview questions

Ready to find your perfect retail role? Browse all retail jobs now.