Why a great cashier matters to your business

If the most important part of the customer experience is the transaction, you want to make sure you have someone you trust behind the cash register. Hiring the perfect cashier isn’t just finding someone with a friendly demeanor (though that’s important too), it’s really about finding someone who is financially responsible, a good salesperson, and an eager and confident advocate for your business.

What is a cashier?

Cashiers have been the cornerstone of retail for decades, and while the technology has changed, the role is practically the same. A cashier engages with customers, answers questions about products, rings up transactions, and deals with returns. They are the face of your business and a crucial part of your customers’ experience.  Customers may not meet a business owner every day, but they will engage with a cashier every time they shop.

Can’t anyone be a cashier?

Just because retail jobs are often filled by younger people with less work experience, doesn’t mean it’s a job for anyone. For a small business, every sale counts. You want someone responsible and trustworthy to be handling the cash for every transaction. Cashiers manage the final step in the sales process and have ultimate responsibility of handling and accounting for cash and ensuring the accuracy of every transaction. 

What does an average workday look like?

There are generally two approaches to cashier work. One has the cashier stationed behind the register, serving any customer who queues up, while other staff are stationed on the shop floor to restock shelves or field customer’s questions. This is generally the role you see in larger retailers or supermarkets, who have enough staff to fill both roles. Other businesses, especially smaller retailers, will have a floor assistant double up as a cashier, ringing up customers when necessary and fulfilling other responsibilities when they’re not busy.

Some general tasks a cashier might be expected to complete include:

• Engaging with customers

• Processing transactions and taking money

• Processing returns and returning money

• Cashing up and compiling earnings reports

• Negotiating with customers and offering discounts where appropriate

• Dealing with customer complaints

How has coronavirus changed the job of a cashier?

As with any customer-facing role in brick-and-mortar establishments, cashiers have had to adapt to a shifting work environment during the pandemic. In smaller businesses, cashiers have become responsible for enforcing capacity restrictions and social distancing rules. The way customers pay has also changed, with more businesses preferring card transactions or even refusing cash. Depending on the situation, cashiers may even be seconded to help with fulfilling delivery orders as fewer customers shop in person. All in all, cashiers are expected to take on more responsibility and respond flexibly to the demands of the business.

What key skills should I be looking for?

Here are some key skills any cashier should have:

• Customer service skills

• Financial skills

• Trustworthiness

• Verbal communication

• Team working skills

• Ability to work at a fast pace

• Attention to detail

• Flexibility

Where can I hire a cashier?

As we enter the spring hiring season, our most experienced retail industry staff are looking for work over the summer. There’s never been a better time to hire a cashier. Register now to post your job and start hiring!