ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Retail Store Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

DM Goodwill

Full-Time Retail Store Associate

Ames, IA · On-site

$15/hr

Goodwill of Central Iowa is looking for Retail Store Associates to accept, sort, and merchandise donated goods, cashier, and deliver outstanding customer service with our values of love, kindness ...

PetSmart

Retail Store Manager

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart Careers

Retail Store Manager

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart

Retail Store Manager

Ankeny, IA · On-site

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart

Retail Store Manager

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart Careers

Retail Store Manager

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart Careers

Retail Store Manager

Waterloo, IA

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart

Retail Store Manager

Council Bluffs, IA · On-site

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart

Retail Store Manager

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart Careers

Retail Store Manager

Ames, IA · On-site

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart

Retail Store Manager

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart

Retail Store Manager

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

PetSmart Careers

Retail Store Manager

Council Bluffs, IA · On-site

$55K - $105K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsRetail Store JobsRetail Store Jobs in Iowa

Retail Store information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$14

$17

How much do retail store jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for retail store in Iowa is $14.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.75 and $15.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Retail Store vs Retail Associate?

AspectRetail StoreRetail Associate
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentPhysical retail locations, customer-facingPhysical retail locations, customer-facing
Employer & Industry UsageRetail chains, department stores, specialty shopsRetail chains, department stores, specialty shops
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on the overall retail store operationsFocuses on individual employee roles within retail stores

Retail Store refers to the physical location or business as a whole, encompassing management and operations. Retail Associate is a specific role within the retail store, primarily involving customer service and sales. While both roles work in retail environments, the retail store is the business entity, and the retail associate is an employee role within that environment.

What is a retail store?

A retail store is a business establishment where products are sold directly to consumers for personal or household use. These stores can range from small local shops to large chains and department stores, offering goods such as clothing, electronics, groceries, and more. Retail stores may operate in physical locations, online, or both, and focus on providing customers with a convenient shopping experience. The primary goal of a retail store is to meet customer needs while generating sales and profit for the business.

What is the highest paying retail job?

In retail, executive roles such as retail store managers, district managers, and regional managers tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often involve overseeing multiple store locations and teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Retail Store Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Retail Store Associate, you need strong customer service skills, basic sales knowledge, and, typically, a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and cash handling procedures is essential. Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help associates connect with customers and support smooth store operations. These skills ensure customer satisfaction, efficient transactions, and a positive retail environment that drives sales.

Why is Gen Z struggling to get jobs?

Gen Z faces challenges in securing retail store jobs due to high competition, limited work experience, and employers' preference for candidates with prior skills or certifications. Additionally, factors like changing labor market conditions and increased automation can impact entry-level opportunities for this age group.

What Are the Different Roles In a Retail Store?

Depending on the size of the retail store, different job positions may be present. The most common is the sales associate, whose responsibilities include greeting customers, ringing up purchases, and performing basic cleaning duties. Merchandisers or stockers, if the store is large enough, do not spend time at the register, but instead stock merchandise and set shelf displays. Security personnel or asset protection officers patrol the store to curtail shoplifting. Management, meanwhile, oversees the other workers and ensures they are performing their jobs. They also organize and plan shift schedules.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

In retail, store managers or high-level regional managers can earn around $10,000 per month through experience, bonuses, and profit sharing, especially in large or successful stores. These roles typically require strong leadership skills, extensive retail experience, and sometimes certifications in management or business, but they do not always require a college degree.

What are some common challenges faced by employees working in a retail store, and how can they be managed?

Retail store employees often encounter challenges such as managing high customer volumes during peak hours, handling difficult customer interactions, and adapting to frequent changes in inventory or promotions. To manage these, strong communication skills, patience, and adaptability are essential. Many retail stores provide training and clear protocols to handle customer complaints and encourage teamwork, which helps employees navigate busy or stressful periods effectively. Additionally, staying organized and being proactive about learning new products or store procedures can greatly enhance performance and reduce on-the-job stress.

What are the positions in a retail store?

Retail stores typically have positions such as sales associate, cashier, stock clerk, department manager, assistant manager, and store manager. These roles involve customer service, inventory management, sales, and store operations, often requiring teamwork and communication skills.
More about Retail Store jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Retail Store jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Retail Store jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Retail Store jobs in Iowa? For Retail Store jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Retail Store jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Retail Store jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Retail Store jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Retail Store job openings:
Retail Store jobs near you
Infographic showing various Retail Store job openings in Iowa as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, 40% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,816 per year, or $14.8 per hour.

Full-Time Retail Store Associate

DM Goodwill

Ames, IA • On-site

$15/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Goodwill of Central Iowa is looking for RetailStore Associates to accept, sort, and merchandise donated goods, cashier, and deliver outstanding customer service with our values of love, kindness, and respect.
Hours & Schedules:
  • Full-Time (38-40 hours/week) positions available
  • No retail holiday season! Shifts are scheduled Monday - Saturday: 8 am - 10 pm and Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
  • This position requires a flexible schedule which includes days, evenings, and weekends to support business needs.

Pay & Benefits:
  • Starting wage of $15.00/hour and an additional $1.00/hour on Saturday and Sunday shifts worked!
  • Monthly Retail Associate Bonus eligibility based on store production and revenue goals being met!
  • Annual merit increase eligibility based on individual job performance.
  • Full-Time Retail Store Associate benefits summary including medical, dental, vision insurance, retirement plan, PTO, and more!

Successful candidates have:
  • Excellent service skills for daily customer interactions
  • Flexibility to work positively on a team within Goodwill of Central Iowa's values of treating others with love, kindness, & respect
  • Effective communication and basic math skills - point-of-sale (POS) system experience is a plus

Our Retail Store Associates serve as the first point of contact for Goodwill of Central Iowa's (GCI) retail customers at both the sales floor or at the donation door. This position will provide excellent customer service and respond to customer needs in a timely manner; operate a cash register, select and rotate merchandise, clean and organize fixtures, and merchandise donated goods. Store Clerks will receive, sort and process donated goods from the donation door to the sales floor.
What you'll do here:
  • Greet, assist, and engage with customers in a helpful and courteous manner
  • Receive donations from the public
  • Sort donations, stack and organize sorted merchandise, ensure quality of goods processed meets standards
  • Work with supervisors to arrange and rotate items on the sales floor, keep merchandise organized and easily accessible to customers
  • Practice safe cash handling and operate the cash register, including calculating and balancing cash register as scheduled
  • Carryout general cleaning tasks, such as: sweeping, scrubbing, dusting, and mopping
  • Use a dolly, wheeled cart, pallet jack, and possibly riding or walk behind forklift
  • Meet daily production goals
  • Other duties as assigned

What you'll need:
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • A high school diploma or currently attending high school or GED classes, or a minimum of four years of any combination of military service, high school, or related full-time paid employment
  • Availability to work days, evenings, and weekends
  • Ability to carry, lift, push or pull 40 pounds
  • Ability to tolerate variations in work environment temperature
  • Ability to be stationary or mobile for long periods of time
  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Effective communication and basic math skills
  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check and a dependent adult and child abuse background check

Retail Career Development Pathways Could Look Like:
  • Retail Shift Leader - Assist with directing, coordinating, & monitoring retail store operations and support employee training.
  • Engagement Coordinator - Assist with new employee onboarding, training, and coaching to successfully integrate employees into GCI's work culture, environment, and processes.
  • E-Commerce Coordinator - Identifies and processes trending/valuable donations to be sold on E-Commerce platforms & coaches in-store team members to do the same.
  • Assistant Store Manager - Manages day-to-day retail operations and assists with training, coaching, and performance management of store teams to achieve goals.
  • Store Manager-In-Training - Assists with directing store operations to train, lead, and manage store team members and learn how to achieve key performance metrics and manage revenue targets.
  • Store Manager - Directs store operations to lead, train, and develop employees, champion service excellence, and achieve key performance indicators and revenue targets in support of funding GCI's mission.
  • 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.

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!
CITYVIEW "Best Local Thrift Shop" 2019, 2020, & 2023 Winner!
Des Moines' People's Choice 2024 Best Thrift Store!

Apply