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Filipino Institute

Free Lesson · Retail and Sales: Finding What the Customer Needs and Closing the Sale

Free sample lesson · Retail and Sales · about 40 minutes
No login needed. A real lesson in the FI format: goal, learn, example, practice with answers.

Goal

By the end of this lesson I can greet a shopper, ask questions to find their need, explain benefits (not only features), and close a sale politely.

1. Warm-up (5 minutes)

Think of a time a salesperson helped you choose well, and a time one pushed too hard. Write one difference.

2. Learn: the five steps of a sale

  1. Approach – greet within a few seconds, give space: “Hi, welcome! Let me know if I can help.”
  2. Ask – open questions: “Who is it for?” “What will you use it for?” “Any budget in mind?”
  3. Present – turn features into benefits: “This phone has a 5,000 mAh battery, so it lasts all day without charging.”
  4. Handle objections – listen, agree with the feeling, give information: “I understand it’s more than planned. It includes a 1-year warranty, so no repair costs.”
  5. Close – ask for the sale: “Would you like to take the blue one today?” Offer a matching add-on only if it truly helps.

3. Worked example: a shoe store

Staff: Hi, welcome! Shopping for yourself today?
Customer: Yes, I need shoes for work.
Staff: What kind of work – are you standing a lot?
Customer: Yes, I’m a nurse, 12-hour shifts.
Staff: These have a cushioned sole and non-slip bottom, so your feet hurt less and you won’t slip on wet floors. Want to try a size?
Customer: They’re ₱3,200… a bit expensive.
Staff: I understand. They’re made to last about a year of daily shifts – that’s under ₱9 a day for comfort. Shall I get your size?

4. Try it yourself

  1. Turn this feature into a benefit: “This bag is waterproof.”
  2. Write two open questions for a customer buying a gift.
  3. What are the five steps of a sale?
  4. A customer says “I’ll think about it.” What can you say?
  5. Why should you not push an add-on the customer does not need?
Show answers
  1. “…so your laptop and papers stay dry even in the rainy season.”
  2. Examples: “Who is the gift for?” “What do they enjoy doing?”
  3. Approach, ask, present, handle objections, close.
  4. “Of course. Is there anything I can explain that would help you decide?” Then offer to hold the item or give a card.
  5. It breaks trust; customers who feel pressured do not come back or recommend the store.

5. Real-life practice (10 minutes)

Pick three products at home. For each, write one feature and turn it into a benefit with “so …”.

6. Check your understanding

Finish: A feature is …, a benefit is …


Like this lesson? Continue with the Retail Sales Skills short course or prepare for the Professional Certification in Retail Operations. Create a free My FI account · More free lessons · Questions: [email protected]

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