Retail Sales Assistant - Jollyes Pets - Portsmouth. Love pets? Love people? Love a job where no two days are the same and the customers wag their tails at you? Combine your passion for pets with a career that’s full of fun, team spirit, and genuine customer care. Help our pet parents find exactly what they need and some relevant extras, promote responsible pet ownership, keep our store looking paw-some, and build a grrrreat career into leadership or support roles, with a company that’s growing fast.
We’re hunting for a brilliant Sales Assistant to join our pack in our Portsmouth store. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an award winning company (Pet Industry Federation & Retail Week awards) and included in the Sunday Times 'Best Places to Work' list.
So, what's in it for you?
The Benefits:
At Jollyes, we’re as passionate about our people as we are about our pets! We think our tail-wagging benefits package reflects our appreciation for all that our colleagues do and provides support where it’s needed most.
- Pay rate of £8.43 - £12.71 per hour plus bonus potential up £1000 p.a. paid in two instalments, terms and conditions apply.
- Financial Wellbeing Package (Stream): Access earnings early, plus savings tools and discounts.
- Retail Trust Membership: Counselling, wellbeing, and financial support.
- Colleague Discounts: Treats at 800+ retailers, plus 30% off Jollyes products and pet services.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: Online GP, mental health services, fitness programs, dental care, and cancer support.
- Workplace Pension: Legal & General scheme (EE 3%, ER 5%).
- Extra Time Off: Birthday, wedding, new pet days, plus buy/sell holiday options.
- Enhanced Family Leave: Maternity and paternity packages above statutory levels.
- Recognition & Rewards: Top Dog Award with extra day off and perks.
- Lifestyle Benefits: Cycle2Work scheme and discounted David Lloyd membership.
- Learning & Development for future progression into specialist or Key Holder roles, Management or Support roles - you really can have a great career with Jollyes!
- = Pro rata for part time colleagues
What will you be doing?
As a Sales Assistant, you’ll be at the heart of the action — helping pet parents, supporting your teammates, and making every customer’s visit to our store a great experience. As with most retail roles, the working week involves being ‘on your feet’ and physically active* (e.g. putting stock out which can be heavy*) but tasks are rotated in store so you’ll get involved in a bit of everything as part of a team.
Your day will include things like:
- Offering genuinely friendly, helpful customer service (you’ll meet some fabulous humans and animals!)
- Helping customers find what they need — and suggesting helpful extras that improve their pet’s wellbeing
- Sharing advice to promote responsible pet ownership - we'll teach you what you need to know about different pets.
- Keeping the store tidy, stocked and looking its best
- Being part of a supportive, upbeat team that works (and laughs) together
- if you would require any reasonable adjustments for carrying out the role duties you can let us know on the application form.
Let’s talk about upselling (the Jollyes way)! Yes, this is a
sales role — but here’s how we do it:
- We upsell suitable products to enhance customer experience, not to pressure anyone
- It’s about suggesting the right treats, toys, food or accessories that genuinely help their pet live its best life
- You’ll receive an induction to Jollyes with full training to build your confidence, product and pet care knowledge with a mix of manager led ‘on the job’ training and our online learning platform you can access to suit you.
- Think of it as being a friendly knowledgeable guide for pet parents — not a pushy salesperson, that’s not us!
What do we need from you?
We're looking for someone who shares our values and the following characteristics:
- You'll be great at interacting with pets and people and have a fun, friendly personality.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on retail environment and can achieve individual goals and team targets
- Ideally, you will have experience in a similar, customer facing environment and have a hands-on approach.
- Most of all, you must be able to offer the highest levels of customer service and be an ambassador for the Jollyes brand, sharing our values of being: Genuine, Wise, Focused, Eager, Together.
- Flexibility on your availability is required as our opening hours include evenings and weekends when our stores can be busiest. Therefore you should be flexible to cover any shifts over our 7 day trading hours.
- Can commit to a part time, permanent position – 10 hours per week
About Jollyes Pets
Jollyes are an award-winning UK pet retailer with over 100 stores and over 50 years of pet expertise between our paws. Previous winners of the Retail Week award for ‘Best Retailer’ (under £250m t/o), and listed in the Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Work’, shortlisted for Happiest Place to Work, with excellent Trust Pilot reviews, you really can be sure you’re joining a great brand and employer, trusted by our customers and our colleagues. We are fully accredited as an age inclusive employer (Rest Less) and a proud member of the Pet Sustainability Coalition as well as supporting hundreds of local pet charities to make a difference in our communities. We welcome applicants of all ages (16+) - because passion for pets knows no age limit!
Ready to join the pack?
If you're keen to develop your career in retail, work with a brilliant team and benefit from future progression as we continue to grow, you'll be warmly welcomed and your contribution truly valued. Click the 'apply' button today and join our pack as a Jollyes Sales Assistant!
