A good salesperson will sell anything. Retail is only boring if you let it be. With our advice on writing a cover letter for retail, you’ll never rot on the shelf again.
Retail is boring for those who stand around passively, waiting for customers to decide to buy instead of selling. Similarly, most people will just expect a retail job, presenting themselves passively instead of selling.
You, on the other hand, will learn how to write a retail cover letter that sells yourself!
In this guide, you’ll get:
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Looking for other cover letter examples for positions in sales and customer service? See:
Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Best Cover Letter Examples.
By examining data from over 500,000 documents produced within our tool, we discovered that*:
- Iconic, Cascade, and Primo are the favorite cover letter templates for those working retail jobs.
- Retail associates most often choose to highlight Store Opening and Closing, Cash Handling, Organization, and Cash Register Operation skills.
- Retail sales associates who use our builder report having 5 years of combined work experience.
* The data comes from the last 12 months (August 2023-August 2024)
First, check out our two retail cover letter examples. See the pattern they follow to tick all the boxes of someone looking for a great retail hire.
The first one is a sample retail cover letter for John, a retail worker with a few years of experience.
The company is searching for a retail manager that can exceed sales and productivity goals; learn new product trends and features; managing inventory stock levels; as well as managing retail associates, of course.
This is how to write a retail management cover letter:
John Snow
3662 Godfrey Street, Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone: +1-300-300-8989
Email: jsnow@snow.com
Oregon City, Sept 30, 2019
Tom Employer
General Manager
The Big Store
1 Main Avenue
Oregon City, OR 97045
Dear Tom,
Being a long-time shopper at The Big Store, I was excited to see a job opening for a Retail Manager in a place that I enjoy coming as a shopper. With my 4+ years of experience in exceeding targets and creating a great experience for the customers at Joe’s, I believe I can manage The Big Store in a successful way.
In the job listing, you mention you are looking for a Retail Manager that can exceed sales goals, follow new products and trends, and effectively manage stock and people. In my current position at Joe’s, where I have been Assistant Manager, we have reached the monthly sales target 17 months in a row, so I am used to finding solutions and driving them home until desired results. I have repeatedly scored above 95% on internal stock and product knowledge assessments that we periodically take. As Assistant Manager, I am often the only manager present, so I know exactly the reality of managing stock and people in a store of this size, and will adapt swiftly to The Big Store.
Every time I have visited The Big Store with my family, I have been impressed by the warm and friendly atmosphere of the staff, and their above-and-beyond ability to help. An atmosphere like that towards the clients signals a good atmosphere behind the scenes—something very important to me personally. If I enjoy coming to work every day, I will also be able to make it enjoyable for the customers.
Can we schedule a call or meeting to discuss how I can help The Big Store meet its targets, and then exceed them?
Thank you,
John Snow
Phone: +1-300-300-8989
Email: jsnow@snow.com
From this retail management cover letter, it’s clear that John knows a lot.
But what if you need to write a retail cover letter with no relevant experience? Here it is. This is another candidate, Jessica.
She is trying to get a Retail Associate job that requires effective communication skills, a respectful and friendly manner, as well as the ability to use equipment such as registers and PDTs. Jessica has not worked in retail before, but her cover letter shows transferable skills that will get her the job.
Jessica Thomson
532 Lafayette Street, Oregon City, OR 97045
454-311-7123
Jessica.thomson@me.com
Oregon City, Sept 30, 2019
Tom Employer
General Manager
The Big Store
1 Main Avenue
Oregon City, OR 97045
Dear Tom,
While in The Big Store to do my regular shopping, I was thrilled to see an opening for Retail Associate in a place that I enjoy coming to as a customer. As an outgoing, energetic person with strong customer service skills and a friendly, communicative manner, I am ready to contribute to the customer experience that The Big Store is loved for in our community.
In the job ad, you have written that you need a person that has strong communication skills and experience with the equipment you use. I have experience in using PDTs in my warehouse job, and as a young person so embroiled in technology, I will have no difficulty in learning how to use the register. I have experience in providing a friendly and helpful service as part of a team from helping to organize parent-teacher conferences at school, as well as from volunteering as a steward at community events such as “The Run To Beat Cancer”.
To me, working in a pleasant environment is paramount—then can I create a friendly, warm atmosphere for the customers. This is why I want to work for The Big Store, as the helpful and welcoming approach of its staff has always made feel at home.
Can we schedule a meeting to discuss how I can channel my skills to help The Big Store uphold its stellar reputation as a community hub?
Best Regards,
Jessica Thomson
454-311-7123
Jessica.thomson@me.com
These are two retail cover letters that won’t go out of date.
Don’t have a resume ready yet? See a dedicated example here:
Now, let’s get to work on stocking your retail cover letter with the good stuff.
Here’s how to write a job-winning cover letter for retail jobs:
Appearances matter. Especially in retail, perhaps one of the most customer-facing occupations. Being neat and tidy is the key, and you making this impression can start with the cover letter.
Here are the key pointers to nail the professional cover letter format:
After getting these settings right, it’s time to think about what to include in your cover letter for retail jobs.
This header should be the same as your resume header, and must contain your full name, job title and contact details. Leave a space, list the city and date, leave another space and put down the details of the hiring manager.
Follow this template:
[ Your Full Name]
[ Your Job Title ] (Optional)
[ Phone Number ]
[ Email Address ]
[ LinkedIn Profile ]
[ City and Date ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Full Name ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Position, e.g. Retail Team Leader ]
[ Company Name ]
[ Company Street Address ]
[ City and Zip Code ]
Expert Hint: Most retail outlets run their recruitment online. There are some specific issues to keep in mind when sending your retail cover letter electronically, which our email cover letter guide will clue you up on.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Retail positions always have high interest. Once the manager is reading your retail cover letter, you must let them know this not a waste of their time. Always address the hiring manager by their name. This shows that you have taken interest and some time to find out what you’re getting into.
This is especially impressive if the name of the manager wasn’t in the job ad. You get additional points for finding this out if it wasn’t given in the job posting. Be creative, use LinkedIn and if you must—a phone.
Begin your cover letter by identifying the position you’re applying for, and straight away show that you’re the perfect candidate.
You can use our retail cover letter template. Fill in the [blanks] with information relevant to you and the position you’re applying for.
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]:
When I saw the posting for [Position Name] at [Target Company Name], I was overjoyed. As a [retail professional/Previous Position Title] with [number of years]+ years of experience, and with significant [rapport building/conflict resolution/collaboration and teamwork/customer service/problem solving/time management/other relevant skills you have] skills, I’m confident I can contribute to the great customer service at [Target Company Name].
Expert Hint: Is your retail resume up to scratch? The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that even though there over 4.75 million retail jobs in the US, that figure will decline by at least 100,000 in the next decade. As competition tightens, make sure all your documents are ready to make the sale.
In a retail cover letter, the middle paragraph should demonstrate why you are the perfect candidate—
With specific references to the requirements of the job listed in the ad. Go through the job posting and write down the most important requirements and responsibilities of your new job. Think about which ones you have excelled at in a measurable way and write about your achievements.
Just like this.
Your job posting calls for a [Position Name] with experience in [refer to the requirements of the job]. As a [Previous Position Title] at [Name of Your Most Recent Company], I have excelled at [responsibilities, duties, or projects you’ve successfully completed, supported by metrics, if possible]. I believe converting those key skills into success for [Target Company Name] would just be a matter of time.
Expert Hint: The National Retail Federation's Foundation runs several credential and training courses for retail workers in their RISE Up program. Adding extra certifications on your cover letter for retail never hurts, and will often give you an unfair advantage over the other applicants.
In the last paragraph of your retail cover letter, it will pay off to show the connection you already have with your prospective employer. Be it something you found out about them, or simply the fact that you shop there and enjoy it.
Let them know. They’d rather hire someone who is likely to enjoy coming to work.
See this template:
I find it exciting that at [Target Company Name], you are all about [values/way of working/something you genuinely admire about the company]. This reflects my personal approach, which is why I believe working at [Target Company Name] would be the ideal opportunity for me to grow while providing world-class customer service.
Getting a job is not a self-service checkout. You don’t ask—you don’t get.
This is why when you’re finishing your cover letter, you can’t afford to be passive. Those who “hope to hear” from them will have to keep hoping, because you’re going to ask for that interview and get it.
Emphasize your best selling point—the thing that will matter to them, and benefit them the most. This is a retail cover letter example closing you can use for reference:
When can we schedule a call or a meeting to discuss how my [your best, most relevant skill/their most important requirement] experience can help [Target Company Name] achieve [something important to this company]?
Best regards,
[Digital Copy of Your Handwritten Signature]
[Your Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
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When writing your cover letter for retail, make sure to:
Do you have any more questions about writing a cover letter for retail? Did you find our retail cover letter examples helpful? Leave us a comment, I’ll be more than happy to hear from you!
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Dave is a career expert delivering a wide range of well-researched advice regarding the job hunting and application process. At ResumeLab, his data-driven resume and cover letter guides help readers capitalize on their potential.
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