Artigos Sales Associate

Portugalia Marketplace:

Lead, Inspire, and Immerse in Portuguese Culture, Design & Craftsmanship

About Portugalia Marketplace

Portugalia Marketplace stands as the premier Portuguese specialty food grocer in the United States, with a legacy spanning over 30 years since its founding by Fernando Benevides. Now operated by his children, Michael and Jennifer, the 20,000-square-foot store in Fall River, MA is renowned for its dedication to promoting Portuguese culture and cuisine. Customers can explore over 1,300 varieties of Portuguese wines and spirits, enjoy fresh baked goods at the in-store cafe, select from a wide array of prepared foods, and visit a temperature-controlled room dedicated to salt cod-a staple in Portuguese cooking.

Beyond food, Portugalia Marketplace features Artigos, a thoughtfully curated design shop where a love for design and art intersects with the rich craftsmanship of Portugal. Artigos showcases established Portuguese brands such as Vista Alegre alongside contemporary designers and newcomers such as Casa Cubista. The collection includes fine china, handicrafts, soaps, cork objects, apparel, accessories, and home furnishings that celebrate Portuguese creativity, craftsmanship, and style.

Job Description

The Artigos Sales Associate is responsible for creating a welcoming, engaging, and knowledgeable shopping experience for customers visiting the Artigos design shop within Portugalia Marketplace. This role helps customers discover Portuguese design, craftsmanship, and culture by providing thoughtful product recommendations and sharing the stories behind Artigos' brands and collections.

The Sales Associate will assist customers with purchases, maintain attractive and organized merchandise displays, replenish inventory, and support the day-to-day operations of the shop. The ideal candidate has a genuine appreciation for design, home goods, art, and Portuguese culture and enjoys helping customers find meaningful pieces for their homes, themselves, or as gifts.

Key Responsibilities

·   Greet customers and provide friendly, attentive, and welcoming service.

·   Engage with customers to understand their needs and recommend appropriate products.

·   Develop strong knowledge of Artigos merchandise, brands, designers, and product collections.

·   Share product stories, craftsmanship, materials, and Portuguese cultural significance with customers.

·   Assist customers in selecting home goods, gifts, apparel, accessories, and other Artigos merchandise.

·   Provide a personalized shopping experience that reflects the hospitality and culture of Portugalia Marketplace.

Sales & Customer Service

·   Assist customers throughout the purchasing process and answer product questions confidently.

·   Recommend complementary products and thoughtfully introduce customers to additional Artigos collections.

·   Process customer purchases accurately using the POS system.

·   Handle merchandise carefully, particularly fine china, ceramics, glassware, and other fragile items.

·   Package and wrap purchases neatly and appropriately.

·   Support customer inquiries regarding product availability, special orders, and merchandise.

Merchandising & Store Presentation

·   Maintain clean, organized, and visually appealing merchandise displays.

·   Restock merchandise throughout the day and ensure products are properly presented.

·   Maintain the appearance of shelves, tables, fixtures, and display areas.

Store Operations

·   Monitor inventory levels and communicate restocking needs.

·   Assist with receiving, unpacking, pricing, and organizing incoming merchandise.

·   Follow opening and closing procedures as assigned.

Qualifications

·   Previous retail, sales, or customer service experience preferred.

·   Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.

·   Interest in design, art, home decor, fashion, or handcrafted goods.

·   Ability to learn product details and confidently communicate them to customers.

·   Strong attention to detail and visual presentation.

·   Ability to work efficiently in a customer-focused retail environment.

·   Dependable, organized, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.

·   Ability to safely handle and move merchandise, including fragile products.

Preferred

·   Portuguese language skills.

·   Familiarity with Portuguese culture, design, and craftsmanship.

·   Knowledge of Portuguese brands such as Vista Alegre and other Artigos designers.

·   Specialty retail, home furnishings, gift shop, fashion, or luxury retail experience.

·   Visual merchandising experience.

·   Experience with POS systems.

Why Work at Portugalia Marketplace

·   Culturally rich workplace.

·   Employee discounts on specialty foods, wine, and home goods.

·   Growth opportunities within a multi-department specialty retailer.

·   Community-driven environment rooted in heritage and hospitality.

·   Opportunity to work with distinctive Portuguese brands, artists, designers, and products.

·   Be part of preserving and promoting Portuguese culture, craftsmanship, and design in the United States.