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Retail Store Assistant Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

DM Goodwill

Part-Time Retail Store Associate

Ames, IA · On-site

$15/hr

Greet, assist, and engage with customers in a helpful and courteous manner * Receive donations from ... Retail Shift Leader - Assist with directing, coordinating, & monitoring retail store operations and ...

DM Goodwill

Part-Time Retail Store Associate

Johnston, IA · On-site

$15/hr

Greet, assist, and engage with customers in a helpful and courteous manner * Receive donations from ... Retail Shift Leader - Assist with directing, coordinating, & monitoring retail store operations and ...

DM Goodwill

Full-Time Retail Store Associate

Ames, IA · On-site

$15/hr

Greet, assist, and engage with customers in a helpful and courteous manner * Receive donations from ... Retail Shift Leader - Assist with directing, coordinating, & monitoring retail store operations and ...

Duluth Trading Co

Retail Store Manager

Ankeny, IA · On-site

Retail Store Manager A successful Retail Store Manager will strive to go for WOW! Go for WOW! is ... Orchestrate optimum staffing levels and floor coverage to assist and engage the customer. * Ensure ...

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Duluth Trading Company

Retail Store Manager

Ankeny, IA · On-site

Position Overview A successful Retail Store Manager will strive to go for WOW! Go for WOW! is the ... Orchestrate optimum staffing levels and floor coverage to assist and engage the customer. * Ensure ...

Tailored Brands

Retail Store Tailor Apprentice

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$14 - $21/hr

RETAIL STORE TAILOR-ALTERATIONS The Tailor delivers high-quality craftsmanship and ensures a ... Ensure completed work is accurately tagged, organized, and ready for customer pickup. * Assist with ...

Theisen's Home-Farm-Auto

Store Manager In Training

Ames, IA · On-site

$19 - $22.75/hr

Assistant Store Manager / Bench Manager / Store Manager In Training *** "As a Store Manager in ... Minimum 2 years of retail or managerial experience * Satisfactory completion of National Retail ...

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Retail Store Assistant information

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How much do retail store assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for retail store assistant in Ames, IA is $14.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.17 and $14.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a retail store assistant?

Retail Store Assistants are customer-facing employees who help ensure the smooth operation of a retail store. Their main duties include greeting customers, assisting with product selection, restocking shelves, operating cash registers, and maintaining store cleanliness. They play a crucial role in delivering excellent customer service and supporting store management with daily tasks. Retail Store Assistants often have flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate store needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a retail store assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Retail Store Assistant, you need strong customer service skills, basic math abilities, and familiarity with retail operations, often supported by a high school diploma. Experience with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and barcode scanners is typically required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help you create positive customer experiences and collaborate effectively with colleagues. These skills ensure efficient store operations, satisfied customers, and contribute to overall sales success.

What are some common challenges faced by retail store assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Retail Store Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing high customer volumes during peak hours, handling difficult or dissatisfied customers, and maintaining inventory accuracy. Effective time management, clear communication, and a customer-focused attitude are key to overcoming these obstacles. Regular training and close collaboration with supervisors and team members can also help Retail Store Assistants stay organized and deliver excellent service, even during busy periods.

What is the difference between Retail Store Assistant vs Cashier?

AspectRetail Store AssistantCashier
Primary RoleAssists customers, stocks shelves, maintains store appearanceProcesses transactions, handles cash and card payments
Required SkillsCustomer service, communication, organizationBasic math, attention to detail, customer service
Work EnvironmentRetail stores, flexible hours, team-basedCheckout counters, retail stores, fast-paced
Common CertificationsNone typically required, on-the-job trainingNone typically required, on-the-job training

While both roles are essential in retail, a Retail Store Assistant has broader responsibilities like stocking and customer support, whereas a Cashier primarily handles transactions. Both roles require strong customer service skills and are often found working together in retail environments.

How much does a retail store assistant get paid?

The average hourly wage for a retail store assistant in many regions ranges from $10 to $15, with annual salaries typically between $20,000 and $30,000. Pay can vary based on experience, location, and the size of the store, and some roles may include benefits such as employee discounts or flexible schedules.

Is a retail store assistant a stressful job?

A retail store assistant role can be stressful due to customer interactions, managing multiple tasks, and meeting sales targets. The job often requires good communication skills, patience, and the ability to handle busy periods, especially during peak shopping times.

What are the most commonly searched types of Retail Store jobs in Ames, IA?

The most popular types of Retail Store jobs in Ames, IA are:

What are popular job titles related to Retail Store Assistant jobs in Ames, IA?

For Retail Store Assistant jobs in Ames, IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Retail Store Assistant jobs in Ames, IA look for?

The top searched job categories for Retail Store Assistant jobs in Ames, IA are:

What cities near Ames, IA are hiring for Retail Store Assistant jobs?

Cities near Ames, IA with the most Retail Store Assistant job openings:

Retail Store Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Retail Store Assistant job openings in Ames, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $29,690 per year, or $14.3 per hour.

Retail Store Manager

DM Goodwill

Johnston, IA • On-site

$43K - $53K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Goodwill of Central Iowa is looking for a Retail Store Manager to successfully lead donated-goods retail employees with our values of love, kindness, and respect.
Hours & Schedules:
  • Full-Time (40 hours/week)
  • No retail holiday season! Shifts may be scheduled Monday - Saturday: 8 am - 10 pm and Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
  • This position requires a flexible schedule to manage any store shift and support business needs.

Pay & Benefits:
  • Base pay + Monthly bonus opportunity! Base pay range: $43k - $53k annually, dependent upon relevant years of experience with exciting monthly bonus opportunities.
  • Annual merit increase eligibility based on individual job performance.
  • Eligibility for benefits on the first of the month following date-of-hire! See our benefits summary including medical, dental, vision insurance, retirement plan, PTO, and more!

Career Development Pathways Could Look Like:
  • Retail District Manager - Oversees multi-unit store operations management by leading teams to drive operational and service excellence, overall financial performance, loss control activities, customer service, inventory control, and quality standards within their assigned stores.
  • Assistant Director of Retail Operations - Oversees the retail department operations and leaders, championing service excellence, and achieving organizational targets to fund Goodwill's mission.
  • Director of Retail Operations - Provides oversight & strategic direction across Retail, E-Commerce, and Warehouse Operations departments, championing service excellence, and achieving organizational targets to fund Goodwill's mission.

Successful candidates have:
  • 12 months of management experience - softlines and hardlines experience preferred,
  • Outstanding communication skills for daily employee and customer interactions
  • A dedication to coaching, leading, and developing others,
  • Exceptional problem-solving abilities,
  • Flexibility to work positively on a team within Goodwill of Central Iowa's values of treating others with love, kindness, & respect

Position Summary:
Our Store Managers are responsible for leading, training, and developing store employees. This position manages the store to achieve KPI's (key performance indicators) goals, which are measured and recorded monthly, quarterly and annually with a goal of meeting or exceeding revenue targets to help fund GCI's (Goodwill of Central Iowa) mission of making purposeful employment possible for all. GCI Store Managers provide excellent customer service to external and internal customers. This position will own and lead processes such as donation tracking, production and pricing of donated goods, cash balancing, performance management, safety, and training using various technology and systems.
What you'll do here:
  • Leads, trains, and develops employees using various methods including in-person, online, and written processes.
  • Regularly provides work performance feedback to employees using GCI's values of love, kindness, and respect.
  • Manages the team and store processes effectively to meet sales and production goals monthly, quarterly and annually.
  • Leads communication within the store through team meetings, one-on-one conversations, electronically, and by posting or distributing relevant written materials.
  • Partners with Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, and Mission departments on GCI initiatives and process improvement activities.
  • Supports the Mission department and activities through our round-up program, promoting Mission activities and programs, supporting Mission goals and employees.
  • Provides excellent customer service and responds effectively and promptly to customer needs.
  • Leads store DGR (donated goods retail) processes of sorting, pricing, and rotating merchandise to achieve production and sales goals.
  • Partners with District Manager and Safety & Loss Control Specialist to lead safety processes, regular safety activities, and safety training.
  • Effectively uses technology such as Microsoft Office suite, Point of Sales system, Human Resources Information System, cash register operations system, camera system, to communicate, monitor, and track store and employee activities.
  • Analyzes expenses, production, and sales to achieve revenue goals to support and fund Goodwill of Central Iowa's mission. Participates in monthly financial calls. Completes regular KPI reports, oversees employee timekeeping, and completes bi-weekly payroll actions.
  • Regularly completes and submits reports, performs employee actions within the HRIS (human resources information system), monitors and updates timekeeping and payroll data for team members, monitors employee training progress in the LMS (learning management system) and assists employees in accessing their records and training within our systems.
  • Monitors and assists in maintaining internal and external appearance standards including floor care, store cleanliness, cash register organization, fixture organization, parking lot area, shopping cart store entry, and signage.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

What you'll need:
  • Strong interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal formats.
  • Experience successfully leading, developing, and coaching employee performance.
  • Ability to use available resources to make decisions based on business and organization goals and needs.
  • Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize and assign/monitor work.
  • Able to be flexible and adaptable to change.
  • Financial literacy; expense and records management, store budget, and employee payroll budget. Ability to pull reporting data, analyze, and use data to make business decisions.
  • Proficient in Microsoft office suite including Word, Excel and Outlook.
  • Access to reliable transportation for regular participation in work and possess valid Iowa Driver's License, a good driving record, insurable, and able to provide proof of personal vehicle insurance with a minimum of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident auto insurance liability coverage.
  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check and a dependent adult and child abuse background check.
  • High school diploma or its equivalent. A minimum of 4 years of any combination of military service, high school or related full-time paid employment.
  • A minimum of 18 months of related full-time paid employment, including at least 12 months of management experience.
  • Able to obtain First Aid/CPR certification.

Goodwill of Central Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability) and E-Verify Participant.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
If you are ready to work for an organization that brings out the best in people, apply today!
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