Are you wondering if there are remote retail jobs? The answer is YES! Keep reading for virtual opportunities in this field.
Retail jobs are everywhere. From behind-the-scenes stockers and inventory clerks to front-and-center cashiers and sales-floor associates, a number of in-store employees help make the retail experience pleasant for shoppers.
While you might automatically think of in-store positions when thinking of retail jobs, the truth is that there are many remote retail jobs to choose from, too—ones that allow you to take on various roles in this consumer-driven industry without ever having to step foot in a store.
If you come from a retail background, enjoy helping consumers pick the right products, or want to lend your expertise while working with some of your favorite businesses and brands, check out these remote retail jobs perfect for retail pros.
Remote Customer Service & Sales Jobs
A growing number of major e-commerce sites and stores with both online and brick-and-mortar presences rely on virtual retail specialists to answer product questions, investigate billing issues, process orders, and issue returns. This usually means taking inbound phone calls, but some companies also give consumers a chance to initiate contact via chat, email, text, and social media.
If you’ve previously worked on a sales floor or behind a customer service desk, you already have many of the skills needed, such as excellent verbal communication skills, experience upselling, and the ability to remain pleasant under pressure.
Here are some of the major companies that hire virtual retail specialists. Please note that not all companies are hiring at the moment. Some only hire seasonal workers, so be sure to save this article and revisit it in the fall when retail companies start to amp up their hiring for the holiday sales rush.
1. Amazon
Amazon gears up for its busiest months by hiring seasonal associates to assist holiday shoppers with everything from product purchases to shipping inquiries. Some seasonal positions last as long as six months and can even lead to full-time, permanent employment.
2. Apple
Another place you can find remote retail jobs is with Apple! As an Apple at-home advisor, you’ll help Apple customers with a wide variety of customer service and tech support issues via phone, email, and chat. The main qualifications for these positions are that you should be a fan of Apple products and tech-savvy. Apple has both full- and part-time roles, and they offer competitive pay, all the equipment you need to do your job and benefits.
3. Deckers Brands
Deckers Brands, which includes UGG, Koolaburra, HOKA, Teva, and Sanuk, regularly has openings for full-time customer care representatives. These remote retail jobs require that you live in Colorado, Arizona, or Texas and that you have at least one year of experience in a customer contact role. These remote positions come with competitive pay and benefits.
4. Disney
Disney hires virtual team members to assist online Disney Store shoppers by answering inbound phone calls and emails. The primary goal of Guest Service Representatives is to ensure all online shoppers have a “magical experience.” This can include everything from answering general questions to helping someone locate the perfect product for a gift. To see if Disney is hiring in your state, search for “working from home” on their Careers Page.
5. Home Shopping Network (HSN)
As the leader in interactive retail, HSN offers several opportunities to work from home as a sales representative. This location-based remote retail job (Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee) answers incoming calls from customers wanting to place orders and upsell products as appropriate.
6. Neiman Marcus
Through its work from home program, Neiman Marcus offers remote retail jobs that help support their web and catalog customers through email, live chat, and over the phone. Currently, these positions are only available to residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
7. Nordstrom
Each year, Nordstrom hires seasonal customer service agents to work from home for the holiday season. In these remote retail jobs, you’ll answer inbound calls, emails, and live chats from Nordstrom customers. This work from home position requires at least six months of experience, and agents must provide their own devices and high-speed internet connection.
8. URBN
URBN, which includes Urban Outfitters, Anthropology, Free People, FP Movement, Nuuly, and more, hires remote customer success associates. For these roles, you’ll need a minimum of two years of customer service experience. URBN hires in all US states!
9. Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret regularly hires remote, seasonal customer service reps a few months before the holiday shopping season begins. These positions do require previous experience, and you’ll need to provide your own equipment. Perks include an hourly pay rate and a discount on merchandise.
10. Wayfair
Wayfair, the online furniture and home decor retailer, often has remote job openings for customer service and sales agents. These positions require excellent communication skills and a desire to help others. These jobs are location-dependent, and full-time roles come with benefits.
11. Williams-Sonoma
As a full-time or seasonal customer service representative at Williams-Sonoma, you can work from home helping customers place catalog orders. Candidates must live within certain states to attend training and in-person meetings.
Remote Personal Shopper & Stylist Remote Retail Jobs
If you think you might enjoy working in a virtual retail environment but aren’t interested in pursuing customer service jobs, consider becoming an online personal shopper or stylist.
Most remote personal shopper positions are fashion-related. This means you might put together special-occasion looks you know clients will love, suggest seasonal pieces to supplement an existing wardrobe, or build an outfit based on a person’s individual style. The remote stylist position you apply for will determine the type of products you’ll recommend.
12. Chico’s
Chico’s, which consists of Chico’s, WHBM, and Soma, regularly hires social stylists, as well as customer engagement specialists, and virtual sales associates. The social stylist roles are part-time positions that require at least three years of retail sales, subscription service, or digital marketing experience. Some of their remote positions are location-dependent, while others are available nationwide.
13. Short Story
Short Story is a styling service for petite women 5″4′ and under, and they hire part-time remote stylists with at least two years of virtual styling experience. The pay rate for these independent contracting roles is $15-$16 per hour.
14. Stitch Fix
Stitch Fix delivers stylist-picked clothing and accessories directly to consumers’ doors. Stylists are passionate about fashion and enjoy helping women look and feel their best by expressing their personality through their wardrobes. This part-time position is only open to residents of select states; however, additional areas are constantly being considered.
Remote Retail Jobs in Direct Sales
When it comes to online jobs in the retail industry, there are seemingly endless opportunities to earn in direct sales. For those retail pros with an entrepreneurial spirit, a career in direct sales may be the perfect fit.
15. Bellame
Bellame sells luxurious science-based makeup, skincare, body, and wellness products. Brand partners can get started for just $99 with a beauty, wellness, or skincare starter kit and earn up to 40% on personal sales and more if they decide to build a team. Best of all, there are no monthly or annual fees!
16. cabi
If you’re a lover of clothing, accessories, and jewelry, consider becoming a stylist with cabi. Twice a year, they come out with new product lines that you can sell to customers via pop-up parties, catalogs, an online app, virtual shows, and your own website. Stylists with cabi can earn 25-33% on personal sales and up to 8% on team member sales.
17. Noonday
If eco-friendly and Fair-Trade products are a part of your lifestyle, perhaps working as a Noonday ambassador makes sense. With Noonday, you can start your online retail business for $199, and you’ll earn up to 35% in commission on personal sales.
Whatever your interests, chances are there’s a direct sales company that’s right for you, whether it’s beauty, fashion, food, home decor, or health and wellness.
Remember, this is a business opportunity, so it’s up to you to create your success. Direct sales consultants earn a commission on each item purchased – the more you sell, the more you earn. Fortunately, there is no shortage of helpful advice and insider tips to help you get started on the right foot so you can build your own profitable direct sales business that appeals to your interests while earning a living promoting the things you love.
Remote Retail Jobs Wrapup
Before stepping into a store to apply for a retail position, remember all the opportunities to earn a living in the industry while working remotely. From virtual customer service to supporting consumers of big-name brands to business opportunities as a direct sales consultant, there are plenty of remote retail jobs you can do from home!
Originally published August 23, 2016. Content updated April 2024.