Odisha CHSE +2 Vocational Counter Sales Executive key terms
Odisha CHSE +2 Vocational Counter Sales Executive · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
- Retail format
- Related: Assortment depth, Point of sale (POS)
The way a shop presents and sells goods to buyers, such as a kirana store, supermarket, department store, specialty outlet or discount store. Format decides assortment width, pricing style, service level and store layout.
- Assortment depth
- Related: Retail format, Planogram
The number of different varieties, sizes, colours or brands offered within one product category. Deep assortment helps a customer compare options in one visit; shallow assortment saves shelf space but may push buyers elsewhere.
- Counter salesmanship
- Related: Upselling, Suggestive selling
Selling that happens across a service counter rather than by self-selection. The executive greets, identifies need, shows suitable products, explains features and closes the sale, often while handling several customers at once.
- Upselling
- Related: Cross-selling, Counter salesmanship
Persuading a customer to buy a higher-value or larger version of the item they already chose. It works only when the added benefit is real and explained honestly, for example a bigger pack that lowers cost per unit.
- Cross-selling
- Related: Upselling, Basket size
Suggesting a related or complementary product at the moment of purchase, such as a phone cover with a handset or batteries with a torch. It raises basket size and improves customer usefulness when the link is genuine.
- Basket size
- Related: Cross-selling, Sales voucher
The total value or number of items in one customer's purchase. It is a key retail measure, calculated as total sales divided by number of bills, and is improved through cross-selling, display and combos.
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Related: Customer lifetime value, After-sales service
A planned approach to recording customer details, purchase history and preferences so that service and offers can be personalised. In small retail it may simply be a register or app holding names, phone numbers and buying patterns.
- Customer lifetime value
- Related: Customer relationship management (CRM), Customer loyalty programme
The total profit a customer is expected to bring over all future purchases. It explains why retaining a regular buyer usually costs less than winning a new one, and justifies patient service and follow-up.
- Customer loyalty programme
- Related: Customer relationship management (CRM), Data privacy
A structured scheme that rewards repeat buying, using points, discounts, cashback or member-only prices. It collects contact and purchase data, so it must handle personal information lawfully and transparently.
- After-sales service
- Related: Warranty, Return and refund policy
Support given after payment, including warranty handling, repair, replacement, installation guidance and complaint resolution. Good after-sales service builds trust and reduces returns, and must follow the store's stated policy.
- Warranty
- Related: After-sales service, Batch number
A seller's or manufacturer's written promise to repair or replace a product within a stated period if it fails under normal use. The executive must know which products carry warranty and what documents the buyer needs.
- Batch number
- Related: Warranty, Expiry date
A code printed by the manufacturer identifying the production lot of a product. It supports traceability, warranty claims and recall action, and is often required when recording stock or processing a complaint.
- Expiry date
- Related: FIFO (first in, first out), Batch number
The last date up to which a perishable or time-limited product may safely be sold or used. Staff must check it during stock rotation and remove expired goods from sale immediately.
- Planogram
- Related: Facing, Assortment depth
A diagram showing exactly where each product goes on a shelf or fixture, including facing count and position. It keeps displays consistent, guides restocking and links space given to expected sales.
- Facing
- Related: Planogram, Shelf talker
The number of units of one product placed side by side at the front edge of a shelf. More facings give a product greater visibility, so allocation is decided by sales rate and margin rather than personal preference.
- Shelf talker
- Related: Price tag, Planogram
A small printed sign fixed to a shelf edge giving price, offer or product information. It must match the actual price charged at the counter, otherwise the store risks overcharging and customer disputes.
- Point of sale (POS)
- Related: Sales voucher, Cash drawer
The place and system where the sale is finalised, covering the billing counter, scanner, cash drawer and software. A POS records items, prices, taxes and payment mode, and produces the customer bill.
- Cash drawer
- Related: Cash reconciliation, Point of sale (POS)
The locked till tray at the billing counter that holds cash and is opened only through the POS or a supervisor key. It must be counted at shift start and close, with differences recorded.
- Cash reconciliation
- Related: Cash drawer, Petty cash
Comparing cash physically counted in the drawer with the amount the POS says should be there. Variances are noted, explained where possible and reported, which deters theft and exposes billing errors.
- Petty cash
- Related: Cash reconciliation, Sales voucher
A small float kept for minor day-to-day expenses such as courier charges or local purchases. It is controlled by a fixed limit, a voucher for every payment and periodic replenishment on approval.
- FIFO (first in, first out)
- Related: Stock rotation, Expiry date
A stock rotation rule under which older stock is sold or issued before newer stock. It reduces expiry losses and obsolescence, and is applied by placing new deliveries behind existing stock on the shelf.
- Stock rotation
- Related: FIFO (first in, first out), Shrinkage
The routine of moving older inventory to the front and adding fresh stock behind it, so goods leave in the order received. It is essential for perishables and seasonal items and is checked during shelf refill.
- Shrinkage
- Related: Stock rotation, Stock audit
Inventory loss from theft, shoplifting, damage, spoilage or paperwork error, measured as the gap between recorded stock and physical stock. High shrinkage signals weak controls and directly cuts profit.
- Stock audit
- Related: Shrinkage, Reorder level
A planned physical count of goods compared with records to confirm accuracy and value. Findings are used to correct the stock ledger, identify shrinkage and decide reorder quantities.
- Reorder level
- Related: Lead time, Stock audit
The stock quantity at which a fresh order must be placed so that supply arrives before the item runs out. It considers normal daily sales and supplier lead time, and prevents lost sales.
- Lead time
- Related: Reorder level, Goods received note
The period between placing an order with a supplier and receiving the goods in usable condition. Accurate lead time is required to set reorder levels and to promise delivery dates to customers.
- Goods received note
- Related: Three-way match, Lead time
A document prepared when a delivery arrives, recording supplier, invoice number, item, quantity and condition received. It supports matching against the purchase order and the supplier's bill before payment.
- Three-way match
- Related: Goods received note, Tax invoice
Checking that the purchase order, the goods received note and the supplier invoice agree on item, quantity and price before payment is approved. Any mismatch is queried so the store does not overpay.
- Sales voucher
- Related: Tax invoice, Point of sale (POS)
The document or system entry recording one sale, showing items, quantity, rate, discount, tax and total. It is the source for the customer bill, day-end sales summary and accounting entries.
- Tax invoice
- Related: GSTIN, Input tax credit
A bill issued by a registered seller showing taxable value, tax rate and tax amount separately, along with GSTIN and invoice number. It is the buyer's evidence for input tax credit and must be accurate.
- GSTIN
- Related: Tax invoice, Input tax credit
The unique Goods and Services Tax identification number given to a registered business. It must appear on tax invoices, and counter staff should capture the buyer's GSTIN when a business customer requests it.
- Input tax credit
- Related: Tax invoice, GSTIN
The credit a registered buyer can claim for tax already paid on purchases, set against tax due on their own sales. It is available only when a valid tax invoice is held and the purchase is for business.
- Return and refund policy
- Related: After-sales service, Consumer protection
The store's stated rules on accepting returned goods, exchanging items or refunding money, including time limits and conditions. Staff must apply it consistently and disclose it before the sale is completed.
- Consumer protection
- Related: Return and refund policy, Data privacy
The legal safeguards that stop unfair trade practices, misleading claims, defective goods and poor service. Retail staff must give accurate product information, honour advertised offers and issue proper bills.
- Data privacy
- Related: Customer loyalty programme, Consumer protection
The duty to collect, store and use personal information such as names, phone numbers and card details only for stated purposes and with proper protection. Customer data must never be shared or sold casually.
- Occupational safety
- Related: Food hygiene, Emergency evacuation plan
Practices that prevent injury at work, including safe stacking, clear aisles, correct lifting, fire extinguisher access and reporting of hazards. Every employee shares responsibility for a safe sales floor.
- Food hygiene
- Related: Occupational safety, Expiry date
Keeping food and food-contact surfaces clean to prevent contamination, covering proper storage temperatures, pest control, clean utensils and hand washing. It applies to grocery and perishable counters even in non-food stores that sell snacks.
- Emergency evacuation plan
- Related: Occupational safety, Fire extinguisher
A documented route and procedure for moving people out of the store safely during fire, gas leak or other emergency. It includes marked exits, assembly point, alarm use and assigned staff duties.
- Fire extinguisher
- Related: Emergency evacuation plan, Occupational safety
A portable device for putting out small fires, marked with the class of fire it suits and inspected regularly. Staff should know its location and basic use, and must never block access to it.