A shopkeeper is a retail merchant or

tradesman A tradesman, tradeswoman, or tradesperson is a skilled worker that specializes in a particular trade (occupation or field of work). Tradesmen usually have work experience, on-the-job training, and often formal vocational education in contrast ...

; one who owns or operates a small store or

shop Shop or shopping refers to: Business and commerce * A casual word for a commercial establishment or for a place of business * Machine shop, a workshop for machining *"In the shop", referring to a car being at an automotive repair shop *A wood ...

. Generally, shop employees are not shopkeepers, but are often incorrectly referred to as such. At larger companies, a shopkeeper is usually referred to as a

manager Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. It is the art and science of managing resources of the business. Management includes the activities ...

, since the owner is not able to manage the business being a single shopkeeper, so this term could apply to larger firms (in particular, multiple shops) generally and be a separate duty.

Job descriptions

Shopkeepers may manage their own independent corner shop or run a franchise store on behalf of a retail chain. Unlike store managers who usually work for a large retailer, shopkeepers normally have overall responsibility for a store. Independent shopkeepers include (but are not limited to)

grocers The Worshipful Company of Grocers is one of the 110 Livery Companies of the City of London and ranks second in order of precedence. The Grocers' Company was established in 1345 for merchants occupied in the trade of grocer and is one of the Gr ...

, corner shopkeepers,

newsagents A newsagent's shop or simply newsagent's or paper shop (British English), newsagency (Australian English) or newsstand (American and Canadian English) is a business that sells newspapers, magazines, cigarettes, snacks and often items of local ...

butcher A butcher is a person who may slaughter animals, dress their flesh, sell their meat, or participate within any combination of these three tasks. They may prepare standard cuts of meat and poultry for sale in retail or wholesale food establishm ...

s, bakers,

booksellers Bookselling is the commercial trading of books which is the retail and distribution end of the publishing process. People who engage in bookselling are called booksellers, bookdealers, bookpeople, bookmen, or bookwomen. The founding of librari ...

florists Floristry is the production, commerce, and trade in flowers. It encompasses flower care and handling, floral design and arrangement, merchandising, production, display and flower delivery. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related sup ...

, and antique dealers. A shopkeeper may serve clients at a counter and carry out other duties such as taking customer payments, giving change, helping customers, and wrapping gifts and purchases. Most of the time, shopkeepers answer customer's enquiries, give advice about products, and listen to customers' needs and requests, which can indicate new sales opportunities. They also calculate daily takings, prepare wages, deposit cash at the bank, book-keep and take stock to ensure that the stocks are available all the time. A shopkeeper also orders stock from wholesalers, manufacturers, agents, and importers.

Job descriptions

See also

Notes

References

Further reading