New Zealand Certificate in Retail (Customer Service and Sales Support) (Level 2)

This course provides an introduction to the retail and sales sector, developing practical skills and knowledge in workplace safety, product knowledge, customer service, selling, merchandising, stock control, point-of-sale operations, and employment preparation.

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SIT Online
Campus
SIT Online
Qualification
Certificate
Level
2
Credits
40
Duration

12 weeks full-time

Dates
TBC
Fees
This programme qualifies for SIT Zero Fees. Terms and Conditions apply. Click here for more information.
Tuition Fees

Zero tuition fees!

Direct Material Costs

No material costs!

International Fees

$100 per credit (incl. GST)

Course Outline

Students will learn to:

  • Apply health and safety requirements, identify workplace hazards, and use safe working practices in retail environments.
  • Understand relevant retail legislation, including sale of goods requirements and legal considerations around retail theft.
  • Identify causes of stock loss and theft and apply appropriate prevention and security practices.
  • Develop product knowledge and use merchandising and display techniques to present products effectively.
  • Understand basic inventory and stock control processes.
  • Apply customer service and selling skills, including responding to customer needs and buyer motives.
  • Process retail transactions using point-of-sale (POS) systems.
  • Develop the skills, attitudes and capabilities required for employment or progression in retail and sales.
  • Prepare a CV and job application letter suitable for retail employment.
Course Content

RCS201 - The retail/sales workplace

This paper aims to develop a basic understanding of the retail workplace, in terms of health and safety, legislation, security factors and point-of-sale operations.

  1. Explain health and safety requirements, identify hazards and hazard management processes, and apply safe working practices in retail environments.
  2. Explain and apply sale of goods legislation in retail or sales entities.
  3. Explain how loss can occur in retail entities, propose prevention methods and explain legal requirements for dealing with retail theft.
  4. Describe how to process retail sales at point of sale (P.O.S).

RCS202 - Knowing your products

This paper aims to develop students’ basic knowledge of selected products, in terms of product presentation for sale, merchandising and display, inventory and stock control.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  1. Explain product knowledge of selected products to meet the customer’s needs.
  2. Identify and explain merchandising and display techniques for creating displays and presenting products for sale.
  3. Describe common inventory and stock control principles used in retail stores and/or sales environments.

RCS203 - Meeting customer needs

The aim of the paper is to develop students’ entry level customer service and selling skills.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  1. Describe customer buyer motives and explain strategies for responding to these.
  2. Describe and apply entry level customer service skills for assisting customers in environments and identify, describe and apply entry level selling skills.

RCS204 - Working in the retail/sales sector

Students working in the sector will enhance their retail skills and those not yet working in the sector will prepare for work in retail and/or sales environments.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and apply the skills, attitudes and capabilities required for employment or advancement within the retail and/or sales sectors.
  2. Complete a curriculum vitae and job application letter appropriate to employment or advancement in the retail sector.
Career Opportunities

Graduates of this qualification may be employed as junior sales, service or retail assistants in a wide variety of retail and sales workplaces.

After completing this course, students may be able to pathway into further SIT study in retail, business, sales, marketing, leadership or management. Possible next steps include:

New Zealand Certificate in Business

  • (Administration and Technology) (Level 3) Gore
  • (Introduction to Team Leadership) (Level 3) Online
  • (Small Business) (Level 4) Invercargill and Online
  • (First Line Management) (Level 4) Online

New Zealand Diploma in Business

  • (Marketing and Sales strand) (Level 5) Invercargill / Hyflex
  • (Leadership and Management strand) (Level 5) Online
  • (Administration and Technology strand) (Level 5) Online
  • (Project Management strand) (Level 5) Online
Application Criteria

Preferably 16 years of age with four years secondary education.  

All Applicants (including those under 20 years old)

All applicants for the programme should demonstrate a keen interest in retail, sales and customer service which demonstrate potential for success. Examples may include completion of a programme of study at Level 2 or above in a related discipline and/ or employment in a related field for 2 or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

An aptitude for work in the retail and distribution sector so as to enhance likelihood of successful completion of the programme. Mature students 20 years of age or over at commencement of programme are welcome to apply.

Special Admission

A mature, aged applicant who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme, which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.

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