Store Assistant — Supermarkets, High Street and Independent Retailers, UK

Supermarkets, high street chains, department stores and independent shops across the United Kingdom recruit store assistants continuously, and heavily before Christmas and other peak trading periods. Most roles are advertised as part-time or on shift patterns covering evenings and weekends, with training given on the job.

What the work involves

Serving customers on the shop floor; operating the till and handling card, cash and contactless payments; replenishing shelves and facing up stock; checking and putting away deliveries; processing returns and exchanges; supporting promotions and stocktakes; and keeping the store clean, tidy and safe.

Requirements

• No formal qualifications for most roles; GCSE maths and English are useful, not usually essential
• Clear, friendly communication and the patience to handle complaints
• Availability across evenings, weekends and bank holidays, which is what most employers are really recruiting for
• Physical stamina for standing, lifting and moving stock throughout a shift
• The right to work in the UK, which the employer must check before your first shift

Before you apply

Check the advertised hourly rate against the National Living Wage for your age. From 1 April 2026 that is £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over, £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds, and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices. A staff discount is not pay and cannot make up a shortfall.

Note: pay, hours, contract type and benefits are set by each retailer — not by JobGader. Confirm the details on the employer's own advertisement before applying.