Poetry – Permanent Part-Time Sales Assistant

Part-time retail positions can help applicants build practical experience in customer service, sales, stock control and store operations. Cape Union Mart International is recruiting a Permanent Part-Time Sales Assistant for its Poetry store in Morningside, Sandton, Gauteng.

The successful applicant will assist customers, work towards individual sales targets, help prevent stock losses and maintain Poetry’s visual-merchandising and housekeeping standards.

At a glance

What this opportunity is

This is a permanent part-time retail sales position with Poetry, a brand operated by Cape Union Mart International.

The successful applicant will work in Poetry’s Morningside retail environment and assist with customer service, selling, stock-loss control, store presentation and the achievement of individual sales targets.

The position is classified as entry level, but applicants must already have at least six months of retail experience.

The advert describes the position as permanent and part-time. It does not state the number of hours, shift pattern, salary or employee benefits. Applicants should confirm these conditions during the recruitment process before accepting an offer.

Who this opportunity may suit

This opportunity may suit someone who has completed Matric, has at least six months of retail experience and wants to continue developing a career in customer service or retail sales.

It may also suit an applicant who is interested in fashion, clothing, footwear, accessories, homeware and lifestyle products.

Applicants should be comfortable approaching customers, recommending suitable products, working towards sales targets and maintaining a professional store environment.

Because this is a part-time retail position, applicants should be prepared for a schedule that may include weekends, public holidays or busy retail periods. The exact working schedule must be confirmed with the employer.

What you will do and learn

The official vacancy confirms the following duties and responsibilities:

• Exceed customer expectations by applying effective customer-selling techniques.
• Follow the store’s stock-loss control procedures.
• Consistently work towards and meet individual sales targets.
• Identify opportunities to maximise sales and increase store turnover.
• Maintain good housekeeping throughout the store.
• Uphold Poetry’s visual-merchandising standards.
• Help create an attractive and inspiring retail environment.

Through these responsibilities, the successful applicant may continue developing practical skills in customer service, product presentation, retail selling, stock control, communication and target-driven work.

Important: The listed duties are confirmed by the official advert. Any additional duties will be determined by Poetry and the store’s operational requirements.

Eligibility requirements

Applicant requirements

• Must have Matric or an equivalent qualification.
• Must have at least six months of retail experience.
• Must have a clear criminal record.
• Must have basic Microsoft and computer proficiency.
• Must be able to communicate effectively.
• Should have knowledge of current clothing and lifestyle trends relevant to the Poetry brand.
• Must provide complete, accurate and truthful information throughout the recruitment process.

Retail-experience requirement explained

Although the position is listed as entry level, applicants must have at least six months of previous retail experience.

This may include suitable experience in customer service, sales, merchandising, stock handling, cash handling or general store operations. Cape Union Mart International will determine whether an applicant’s previous experience meets the vacancy requirements.

Applicants should describe their previous retail responsibilities clearly on their CV and provide accurate employment dates and contactable references where possible.

Clear criminal-record requirement explained

The official advert requires a clear criminal record. Cape Union Mart International may conduct integrity or criminal-record checks as part of the recruitment process.

Applicants must answer all screening questions honestly and should not provide false or misleading information. The employer will determine whether each candidate meets its recruitment requirements.

Skills and personal attributes that may help

• Honesty when dealing with cash and financial transactions.
• Customer-service and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
• Confidence when assisting and approaching customers.
• Ability to identify sales opportunities.
• Adaptability and openness to workplace changes.
• Willingness to take ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• Attention to stock-control and loss-prevention procedures.
• Interest in fashion, clothing and lifestyle trends.
• Ability to maintain high housekeeping and presentation standards.

What this opportunity really means

This position involves more than arranging products or completing general shop-floor tasks.

The successful applicant will be expected to approach customers, understand what they are looking for, recommend suitable products and contribute towards individual and store sales performance.

The role also involves protecting company stock, maintaining attractive displays and ensuring that the store remains clean, organised and welcoming.

The vacancy is advertised as permanent employment, but the working arrangement is part-time. Applicants should confirm the expected weekly hours, shift schedule, remuneration and benefits directly with the employer.

Application checklist

Prepare the following information and documents before starting the application:

• Updated CV.
• Clear copy of your South African identity document, if requested.
• Copy of your Matric certificate or equivalent qualification.
• Accurate details of at least six months of retail experience.
• Correct employment dates and descriptions of your previous duties.
• Contactable employment references, where available.
• Correct residential address.
• Reliable cellphone number and email address.
• Any additional documents requested on the Poetry application platform.

Need assistance with CVs, certified documents and application preparation? Visit our Learnership Resources and Guides.

Important note for applicants

The position is permanent but part-time. Applicants should not describe it as a full-time position unless the employer later confirms a change to the working arrangement.

The official advert does not state the salary, benefits, number of weekly hours or exact shift schedule. Candidates should obtain this information directly from the employer during the recruitment process.

Cape Union Mart International may collect and process applicant information for legitimate recruitment and potential-employment purposes in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act.

Applicants must ensure that all personal, qualification and employment information submitted during the application is true and correct. Inaccurate or misleading information may result in disqualification.

Cape Union Mart International is committed to transformation. Preference may be given to candidates who enhance the diversity of the team in accordance with the company’s Employment Equity Plan.

About the sponsor

Cape Union Mart International is a South African retail group that operates brands including Cape Union Mart, Old Khaki and Poetry.

Poetry is a women’s lifestyle retail brand offering products such as clothing, footwear, accessories, bath and body products, confectionery and selected homeware.Learn more through the official Poetry website.

Quick tips for applicants

• Place your retail experience near the top of your CV.
• Clearly state how long you worked in each previous retail position.
• Describe customer-service, sales, merchandising, cash-handling and stock-control duties.
• Mention any sales targets or achievements that can be supported with accurate information.
• Include experience with clothing, fashion, footwear, accessories or lifestyle products where relevant.
• Use examples that show honesty, adaptability and responsibility.
• Check that your cellphone number and email address are correct.
• Make sure uploaded documents are clear and readable.
• Complete every required section of the online application.
• Submit by 21 June 2026 to avoid last-minute technical difficulties.

Common mistakes that get applicants rejected

• Applying without the required six months of retail experience.
• Failing to provide proof of Matric or an equivalent qualification when requested.
• Submitting an outdated or incomplete CV.
• Not explaining previous retail responsibilities clearly.
• Providing incorrect employment dates.
• Providing inaccurate or misleading personal information.
• Using an incorrect cellphone number or email address.
• Uploading unclear qualification or identity documents.
• Leaving required sections of the online application incomplete.
• Waiting until the closing date to begin the application.

Scam warning (important)

Applicants should only apply through the official Poetry recruitment platform or another recruitment page clearly linked from an official Cape Union Mart International or Poetry website.

Do not pay anyone for registration, an application, an interview, a background check, training or placement. Legitimate employers do not require candidates to pay money to secure a job.

Do not share banking PINs, passwords, one-time PINs or unnecessary confidential information with anyone claiming that they can guarantee you a Poetry position.

Be cautious of recruitment messages sent from unofficial email addresses, private social media accounts or cellphone numbers that pressure you to pay money or provide banking information.

Always return to the official Poetry vacancy page to confirm that the opportunity and application link are genuine.

How this opportunity was verified

This opportunity was verified from the official Poetry Simplify recruitment listing for Permanent Part-Time Sales Assistant – Poetry – Morningside.

The official listing confirmed Cape Union Mart International as the employer, the Poetry division, Stores Central business unit, Sandton location, permanent employment type, part-time job title, entry-level classification, retail industry, sales functional area, duties, behavioural requirements, minimum experience, qualification requirement, clear criminal-record requirement, computer-proficiency requirement, communication requirement, posting date, closing date, Employment Equity wording and official application route.

The official listing does not display a separate numerical job reference. Applicants should use the vacancy title and official application link when referring to this position.

Read more about our verification process on the How We Verify Listings page.

How to apply

1. Open the official Poetry application link below.
2. Read the complete Permanent Part-Time Sales Assistant listing carefully.
3. Click the Apply option on the official vacancy page.
4. Create an applicant profile or sign in if you already have one.
5. Complete all personal and eligibility questions honestly.
6. Enter your education and previous retail-employment information accurately.
7. Upload your updated CV and any requested supporting documents.
8. Check your cellphone number, email address, employment dates and uploaded documents.
9. Accept the relevant application and personal-information terms after reading them carefully.
10. Submit the application by 21 June 2026 where possible.
11. Keep the application confirmation or proof of submission.

Application Closing Date

The official closing date is 22 June 2026.

The official listing does not state the exact closing time. Applicants should submit their applications by 21 June 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the deadline because of technical problems or an early portal closure.

Application Notes

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If no response is received within 2 weeks, consider your application unsuccessful. Preference may be given to candidates from designated groups in accordance with the Employment Equity Act.