Summary
What is the role of a cashier?
A different job depending on the sector
The job of cashier is exercised differently depending on whether it is practiced in a store, a small self-service or a hypermarket.
Shops and small self-services
In small areas, the cashier scans the barcodes of the products, collects the payments, supplies the shelves and labels the goods.
Super and hypermarkets
In supermarkets, the cashier scans the prices of the products that customers have placed on the conveyor belt, cashes in and establishes her cash position at the end of the service.
What are his working conditions?
Which sector?
Most cashier positions are found in mass distribution: a hypermarket can employ up to 250 cashiers. There are approximately 150,000 cashier positions in commerce and distribution, the vast majority of which are held by women.
A steady pace of work
The pace of work is sustained: a cashier can receive up to 30 customers in 1 hour and pass 27 items per minute. The schedules are often difficult with rotations covering the opening hours of the store.
A disappearing profession?
New machines are installed in some supermarkets: they are self-service scanners. Customers scan their own products and pay using their credit card.
These machines are intended to limit the use of cashiers, but the profession is not yet about to disappear.
How much does a cashier earn?
The gross salary of a cashier corresponds to the Smic, with rare increases. There are few prospects for advancement beyond the cashier position.
How to become a cashier?
With or without the Bac?
There is no training to be a cashier. The required level is at least the 3rd, but the baccalaureate is more and more often requested.
Continuing education
Cashier training is mostly provided “on the job”. With the exception of mass distribution, the chains have in-house training centers which offer training corresponding to the chain’s methods.
There are also 2 CAPs: CAP multispecialty sales employee and CAP specialized sales employee, customer service option.
What qualities are needed?
Stress resistance
A cashier must have good nerve resistance. Contacting customers can sometimes be difficult. Schedules, staggered or including long breaks in the day, can also lead to stress.
Effective above all
A good cashier must be fast, methodical and attentive, in order to limit cash register errors as much as possible.
Human factor
A cashier must also be friendly and smiling, in order to build customer loyalty.
Note: cashier jobs are very often offered on a part-time basis.
Content updated on 07/10/2012