Bookseller Duties & Responsibilities
The role and function of a Bookseller includes the following duties and responsibilities:
- Undertaking bibliographic work using computer or print sources to identify and locate titles;
- Processing customer orders and book reservations;
- Dealing with mail order, email and web-based orders – although this applies only in certain businesses;
- Handling payments by cash, credit card and using book tokens – in many shops this will require the use of electronic point of sale (EPOS) technology;
- Stock-checking books and, depending on the shop, other merchandise;
- Creating in-store and window displays;
- Maintaining commercial awareness including identifying business and promotional opportunities;
- Serving a range of customers;
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of current titles and changes in the market;
- Helping with book events, including organising talks, signing sessions and reading groups;
- Liaising with teaching and library staff on set texts in academic shops;
- Liaising with other external account holders, for example schools, councils and companies;
- Reviewing sales performance and meeting sales targets;
- Undertaking general housekeeping duties, such as unpacking, stock replenishment and tidying.
- Buying from catalogues and publishers’ representatives – although the extent to which bookselling staff are involved in buying stock varies a great deal from shop to shop;
- Negotiating prices with sellers;
- Paying and processing invoices;
- Processing book deliveries and returns;
- Dealing with enquiries and identifying customer needs;
- Offering advice and recommending books, where appropriate;
Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Bookseller duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Bookseller roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.
