The apparel industry offers opportunities to become a retail apparel sales representative, wholesale customer sales representative, or direct sales representative. Sales proficiency and a network of contacts are essential, and education in business, marketing, sales, or retail can be helpful. Retail stores often have training programs for entry-level sales reps.
The apparel industry is particularly accessible for people who want to become a retail apparel sales representative. Retail clothing stores tend to hire people with outgoing personalities who can interact with customers in a professional manner. At the wholesale or distributor level, clothing manufacturers look for customer sales representatives who are proficient in sales and have a network of retail contacts to help place their wares.
Clothing sales may require at least three different types of sales reps. At the wholesaler or distributor level, sales representatives are used to place clothing lines in stores. The job consists of convincing retail outlets to carry the products, working in a showroom, attending trade shows and going to sell merchandise at potential retail locations. To become a clothing sales representative at this level, you may have a range of experience, but you must be proficient in sales.
You can demonstrate sales proficiency through past performance. Sales reps at this level typically earn most of their salary from commissions based on successfully moving goods. Many employers expect you to point to past experiences in which you exceeded sales targets. Your experiences must also demonstrate the ability to develop a market, identify sales leads and build a network.
An educational background in business, marketing, sales, or the retail industry can help you become a clothing sales representative if you lack hands-on sales experience. There are trade schools, community colleges and four-year degree programs that offer education and training in these areas. You will benefit from having a basic understanding of how the clothing industry works; however, employers still value a demonstrated ability to deliver sales based on knowledge of the theory behind sales and marketing.
Another type of clothing sales representative that requires the same credentials is a person who does direct sales for other companies. These individuals sell merchandise directly to businesses and organizations, such as work uniforms, team clothing, and blank merchandise for customization. To become a clothing sales representative at this level, you will need the same credentials as a sales representative working at the wholesale or distributor level. Also, employers expect you to have your own network of contacts that will help you place and sell merchandise.
At the retail store level, it’s relatively easy to become a clothing sales representative. Many employers will hire a person with a high school education if he appears capable of dealing effectively with clients. Retail stores often have their own training programs for entry-level sales reps so they can hire people based on intangibles. You may not necessarily need a specific educational background or prior experience to become a clothing sales representative at this level, but you will need to exhibit an outgoing personality, be courteous in your manner, and be perceptive enough to learn the store’s sales system.
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