Retail Associate
We are seeking a personable, design-minded Retail Sales Associate to help create a welcoming shopping experience at Stone House Collective. This position focuses on building genuine relationships with customers and guiding them through furniture, décor, lighting, and art selections from first conversation to follow-up. The associate will also manage our Designer Trade Program, serving as a trusted resource for designers, architects, and other trade professionals. The ideal candidate will be warm, proactive, and detail-oriented, with a genuine interest in interior design and a low-pressure approach to sales. This individual will contribute to sales goals, help maintain the store’s visual standards, and support daily operations.
SCHEDULE
Full-time
Location
On-Site – Shorewood, WI
Experience Required
Previous retail, interior design, furniture, or customer-facing sales experience is preferred
Focus
Retail Sales, Home Furnishings, Styling, and Room-by-Room Design
Objectives of this Role
- Deliver an exceptional customer experience by greeting every guest warmly, understanding their needs, style, and budget, and guiding them through purchases without pressure.
- Drive sales and repeat business by contributing to individual and store goals while prioritizing long-term customer relationships.
- Manage and grow the Designer Trade Program by onboarding new accounts, responding promptly to trade requests, and strengthening relationships with designers, architects, builders, and stagers.
- Coordinate special and custom orders by working with vendors and operations on pricing, samples, lead times, and order updates, and keeping customers informed through installation.
- Maintain the store’s visual standards by keeping all spaces clean, organized, and compelling, and assisting with merchandising, displays, and product launches.
- Support smooth daily operations by handling transactions, records, opening and closing duties, inquiries, and store events accurately and professionally.
- Represent Stone House in the design community as a knowledgeable, responsive, and trusted resource.
Responsibilities
- Greet and engage customers, learning their needs, style, and budget to offer thoughtful recommendations.
- Assist with special orders, custom upholstery, and Retail Design Services and Site Visits.
- Follow up on estimates, invoices, order tracking, and installation scheduling.
- Process purchases, returns, exchanges, and estimates accurately through Square and Houzz.
- Serve as the primary contact for trade members and onboard new accounts.
- Educate prospective members on program benefits, purchasing procedures, and resources.
- Respond to requests for pricing, availability, lead times, samples, specifications, and quotes.
- Coordinate with vendors on pricing, stock, samples, and COM/COL requirements, and communicate order updates, delays, and issues to trade members.
- Support outreach and events to attract new design professionals, and track program activity and growth.
- Keep all store areas, including the patio, conference rooms, offices, and stockroom, clean and organized.
- Receive, price, tag, stock, and display merchandise.
- Help execute visual merchandising changes, seasonal displays, floor moves, and product launches.
- Stay current on inventory and new arrivals.
- Assist with opening and closing procedures.
- Answer calls, emails, and inquiries, and document client interactions in Square and Teams.
- Communicate special orders, damages, and inventory issues to the right team members.
- Support store events, promotions, workshops, and vendor events, collaborating with the sales, design, warehouse, and management teams.
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the confidence to start conversations and build relationships.
- Genuine interest in interior design, furniture, home décor, fashion, art, or luxury retail.
- A sales-minded approach that stays thoughtful, authentic, and service-oriented.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Willingness to learn product specifications, vendor information, pricing, and custom-order processes.
- Dependable and professional, able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Comfortable using point-of-sale and computer systems.
- Ability to safely move and handle merchandise as needed.
- Availability to work weekends, holidays, store events, and other peak retail periods.
Required skills and qualifications
- Previous retail, hospitality, interior design, furniture, or customer-facing sales experience.
- Experience with Square and Microsoft Teams.
- Familiarity with Houzz for estimates, invoices, and orders.
- Experience with visual merchandising or store displays.
- Experience working with interior designers or other trade professionals.
- Knowledge of custom upholstery, special orders, or COM/COL processes.
Preferred skills and qualifications
- Hourly Pay: $25-$30
- Health care insurance
- Holidays off
- Bonus Structure
- Employee Discount on furniture & decor after a set amount of time working for Stone House Collective
Benefits
- Closed Mondays (by appointment only)
- 10 AM-5 PM Tuesday-Saturday
- Closed all Federal Holidays
Store Hours
How to Apply
Send us your Cover Letter (tell us about you, why you would be a great addition to Stone House) and Resume (tell us all about your work experience)
Instructions
Email your resume and cover letter to hello@stonehousecollective.com. Please do not DM us on IG with questions or comments regarding submissions.
