Seasonal Sales Associate

Hot Topic; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 16,531 - 19,286; Part time

Job summary

Hot Topic in Salem, OR is seeking a Seasonal Sales Associate to deliver an exceptional, fandom‑driven shopping experience. You will assist customers, stock and replenish products, and help merchandise the store while maintaining the in‑store experience.

The role emphasizes product knowledge, customer service, and teamwork to ensure fans can access the merch they love.

Qualifications

• Retail experience preferred, music/pop culture experience a plus.
• Strong customer service and sales skills.
• Minimum age of 16.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to navigate store and lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide an amazing shopping experience to encourage repeat visits through product knowledge and customer service.
• Cover the sales floor and keep areas visually up to standard.
• Operate the register, process sales, drive add-on sales, and support BOPIS and curbside pickup.
• Communicate fashion and music trends to management and HQ partners.
• Prevent theft and misuse of store merchandise with store leadership.
• Maintain stock room organization and keep the store tidy.
• Show team spirit and collaborate with colleagues to get the job done.
• Perform other activities as assigned by the Store Leader.

Skills

Customer service

Sales skills

Team collaboration

Merchandising knowledge

Communication skills

Job description

Join the loudest store in the mall! We're looking for music and pop culture fanatics to help create the best experience for our customers. As a Hot Topic Seasonal Sales Associate, you'll be a huge part of our success by providing the best customer service, ensuring that fellow fans can get their hands on the merch they love. You'll share your fandom knowledge, stock and replenish products, and help merchandise the store in a visually appealing way, all while being hyper‑focused on the in‑store experience.

What You’ll Do

• Provide an amazing shopping experience that will encourage customers to return and impress them with your product knowledge, customer experience skills, and use of the Force.
• Cover the sales floor zone and ensure that assigned areas are up to visual standards.
• Work the register, use your fandom knowledge to process sales transactions, drive add‑on sales, and handle services such as BOPIS and curb‑side pickup. Assist with planogram changes including store map, wall, fixture, and merchandising mix.
• Communicate fashion and music trend information to management and respective HQ partners.
• Work with store management to prevent theft and misuse of store merchandise.
• Support the maintenance of the store, keeping the stock room organized and the store tidy.
• Show team spirit by communicating and collaborating with colleagues to get the job done.
• Perform any other activities as assigned by your Store Leader.

What You’ll Need

• Previous experience working in a retail environment (music and pop culture experience is a plus).
• Strong customer service and sales skills.
• Minimum age of 16 years.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to navigate the store, merchandise products using approved store equipment, and pack/unpack boxes of merchandise up to 50 pounds (with or without reasonable accommodation).