Cape Union Mart – Permanent Part Time – Sales Assistant

Part-time retail opportunities are a practical option for applicants who enjoy helping customers, working with fashion and lifestyle products and contributing to a target-driven store environment. The Poetry Permanent Part-Time Sales Assistant opportunity in Sandton is aimed at candidates with Matric or an equivalent qualification, at least six months of retail experience and the ability to communicate confidently with customers.

At a glance

What this opportunity is

This Poetry Sales Assistant opportunity is a permanent part-time retail role based in Sandton, Gauteng. The successful applicant will work in a customer-facing store environment and support the achievement of individual and store sales targets.

The role includes helping customers, using effective selling techniques, identifying opportunities to increase sales, maintaining visual merchandising standards and helping create an attractive and inspiring store environment.

The Sales Assistant will also be expected to follow stock-loss controls, maintain good housekeeping and handle cash and financial matters honestly and responsibly.

Who this opportunity may suit

This opportunity may suit an applicant who has completed Matric or an equivalent qualification and has at least six months of retail experience.

It may also suit someone who enjoys fashion, clothing and lifestyle retail, communicates well with customers and is comfortable working toward individual sales targets.

Applicants with experience in clothing, footwear, accessories, beauty, homeware or another customer-facing retail environment should make this experience clear on their CV.

What you’ll do / learn

Customer service and selling

• Assist customers in a professional and helpful manner.
• Use customer-selling techniques to understand customer needs.
• Recommend suitable products and help customers make purchasing decisions.
• Work toward exceeding customer expectations.
• Build and maintain positive customer relationships.

Sales and targets

• Work toward individual sales targets consistently.
• Identify opportunities to increase store turnover.
• Help maximise sales through customer engagement and product knowledge.
• Take ownership of personal performance and assigned responsibilities.

Stock and store standards

• Follow stock-loss control procedures.
• Help protect merchandise and reduce preventable losses.
• Maintain a clean and organised store environment.
• Support visual merchandising standards.
• Help create an attractive and inspiring shopping environment.
• Ensure products and displays remain presentable.

Note: Applicants should confirm the number of weekly working hours, shift arrangements, salary or hourly rate, weekend requirements and employee benefits directly with Poetry during the recruitment process.

Eligibility requirements

Applicant requirements

• Matric or an equivalent qualification.
• Minimum six months of retail experience.
• Clear criminal record.
• Microsoft and general computer proficiency.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Knowledge of current clothing and fashion trends relevant to the Poetry brand.
• Interest in customer service and retail sales.

Skills and personal attributes

• Honesty when dealing with cash and financial transactions.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Adaptability and willingness to respond positively to change.
• Ability to think practically in a changing retail environment.
• Accountability and willingness to take ownership.
• Customer-focused communication skills.
• Sales confidence and target awareness.
• Attention to store presentation and housekeeping.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a retail team.

What this role really means

A Sales Assistant is responsible for helping customers while also supporting the commercial performance of the store. The role involves approaching customers, understanding what they are looking for, recommending suitable products and encouraging sales without placing customers under unnecessary pressure.

This is also an operational retail role. Sales Assistants help maintain displays, monitor stock-loss risks, keep the store organised and ensure that the shopping environment reflects the Poetry brand.

Because the position is part-time, working hours may vary according to the store roster. Applicants should be prepared for retail shifts that may include weekends, public holidays and busy seasonal periods, subject to the employer’s requirements.

On your CV, place your Matric qualification and retail experience near the top. Include the stores or product categories you worked with, your customer service responsibilities, sales targets, cash-handling experience and any visual merchandising duties.

Application checklist

Prepare your documents before applying so that your application is complete and professional.

• Updated CV.
• Certified copy of your South African ID, where applicable.
• Certified copy of your Matric certificate or equivalent qualification, where applicable.
• Details of at least six months of retail experience.
• Details of customer service, sales, cash-handling or merchandising experience.
• Contactable employment references, where available.
• Clear contact details, including your cellphone number and email address.
• Any supporting documents requested on the Poetry SimplifyHR application portal.

Need help with CVs, certified copies, and application tips? Use our Resources & Guides Hub.

Important note for applicants

Cape Union Mart International states that appointments and promotions will be based on candidates who best meet the requirements. Candidates who enhance the diversity of the team may receive preference in line with the company’s Employment Equity plan.

The application process may include verification of information such as qualifications, employment history, references, identity details and integrity checks. Make sure all information on your CV and application profile is accurate.

About the sponsor

Poetry is a South African fashion and lifestyle retail brand within Cape Union Mart International. The brand offers women’s clothing, footwear, accessories, beauty and selected home and lifestyle products through stores and online retail channels.

Cape Union Mart International operates retail brands including Cape Union Mart, Poetry and Old Khaki, with employment opportunities across stores, support offices, distribution and related business functions. You can view more information on the Poetry Website

Quick tips for applicants

• Make your Matric qualification easy to find on your CV.
• Clearly show at least six months of retail experience.
• Include the stores, brands or product categories you have worked with.
• Mention customer service, selling and target-related responsibilities.
• Include cash-handling or point-of-sale experience where applicable.
• Mention visual merchandising and stock-loss control experience.
• Show an interest in fashion and current clothing trends.
• Check that your cellphone number and email address are correct.
• Apply before the closing date because the application period is short.

Common mistakes that get applicants rejected

• Submitting a CV that does not clearly show Matric or an equivalent qualification.
• Not showing at least six months of retail experience.
• Leaving out customer service or sales responsibilities.
• Not mentioning cash-handling experience where applicable.
• Using a generic CV that does not show interest in fashion or lifestyle retail.
• Providing employment dates that do not match reference information.
• Uploading unclear or incomplete qualification documents.
• Using outdated or incorrect contact details.
• Waiting until the closing date and then experiencing application portal problems.

Scam warning (important)

Applicants should only apply through the official Poetry SimplifyHR recruitment platform. Do not pay anyone for this job, an interview, placement, training or application assistance. Legitimate employers do not ask applicants to pay money to secure a retail job opportunity.

How this opportunity was verified

This opportunity was verified from the official Poetry SimplifyHR listing for Permanent Part Time – Sales Assistant – Poetry – Sandton. The listing confirmed the employer, brand, job title, location, employment type, division, business unit, industry, functional area, posted date, closing date, responsibilities, behavioural requirements, minimum requirements and official application route.

For more information about how our posts are verified, please visit our How we verify listings page.

How to apply

1. Open the official Poetry application link below.
2. Read the complete Sales Assistant vacancy and requirements carefully.
3. Create or log in to your SimplifyHR candidate profile, if required.
4. Complete all required application questions accurately.
5. Upload your CV and any requested supporting documents.
6. Check that your retail experience and contact details are correct.
7. Submit your application before the closing date.
8. Keep proof of submission or any confirmation received from the portal.

Application Closing Date

20 June 2026

Application Notes

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If no response is received within 2 weeks, consider your application unsuccessful. Employment equity candidates are welcome to apply.