Stock clerks receive, unpack, check, store, and track merchandise or materials.

Stock clerks work for companies that sell merchandise or materials. They may work in:

• Retail stores
• Warehouses
• Factories

Stock clerks keep records of items coming in or going out of the stock room. They inspect goods to be sure they are not damaged or spoiled. They sort and organize products for sale, and mark them with prices or identifying codes. For example, clerks may mark items with stock or inventory control codes, so that items can be located quickly and easily.

In large companies, stock clerks may be responsible for only one task. They are often called by the task they perform, such as inventory clerk. In smaller firms, stock clerks may perform tasks usually done by shipping and receiving clerks. For example, they may unpack and verify incoming merchandise against the original order. They may pack and ship merchandise and prepare invoices.

In retail stores, stock clerks take merchandise to the sales floor and stock shelves and racks. Some stock clerks help customers on the sales floor. They may find materials, ring up sales, or answer questions.

In stock rooms and warehouses, clerks store materials in bins, on floors, or on shelves. They may also lift heavy cartons of various sizes.