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Colourful digital illustration showcasing a variety of Sims 4 career paths, represented by vibrant icons and symbols like briefcases, paintbrushes, and scientific equipment.

Retail Store Guide (Base Game + Get to Work)

With the Get to Work expansion, your Sims can open and manage retail stores β€” selling anything from baked goods to clothes, furniture, crafted items, or collectibles. Here’s how to set it up and succeed!


🏠 How to Buy a Retail Store

βœ… Go to your phone or computer β†’ Buy a Retail Store.
βœ… Pick or build a retail lot (you must own a home lot + the store lot).
βœ… Once purchased, transfer household funds β†’ store funds (used for buying store supplies or paying employees).


πŸ—οΈ Setting Up the Store

βœ”οΈ Essential Store Items:

  • Cash register (even if unmanned, it’s required)
  • Display shelves, pedestals, or cases
  • Thematic decorations to match your store type
  • Inventory (objects or crafted items you want to sell)

βœ”οΈ Optional but Helpful:

  • Mannequins (for clothing stores)
  • Fridge or counters (for bakeries)
  • Retail signs and wall art (to make the shop appealing)
  • Restocking points and storage

πŸ’² What Can You Sell?

With just Base Game + Get to Work, you can sell:
🍰 Baked goods (cakes, cupcakes, bread)
πŸ‘— Clothing (set on mannequins)
πŸ›‹οΈ Furniture and dΓ©cor
πŸ“¦ Collectibles (crystals, frogs, elements)
🎨 Craftable items (if you have other DLCs or hobby tie-ins)


πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ How to Run the Store

1️⃣ Set Markup Prices β†’ Click the cash register to set your markup (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, etc.).

2️⃣ Open the Store β†’ Use the cash register to start the business day. Customers will begin arriving.

3️⃣ Restock Items β†’ After a sale, use the Restock interaction (cost comes from store funds).

4️⃣ Sales Interactions β†’ Engage with customers to raise the sales bar:

  • Answer Questions
  • Offer Information
  • Discuss Shopping Preferences
  • Close the Deal (when available)

5️⃣ Ring Up Customers β†’ Watch for Sims with a shopping bag icon over their head and Ring Up at the register.


πŸ‘©β€πŸ’Ό Hiring & Managing Employees

  • Use the register to hire staff (sales, restocking, cleaning).
  • Manage their roles and tasks during the workday.
  • Watch employee satisfaction; unhappy workers will quit!

πŸ’‘ Tips for Success

βœ” Start small: Focus on a niche (just furniture, just baked goods, etc.) before expanding.
βœ” Keep displays full β€” empty shelves mean no sales!
βœ” Invest in employee training to improve their sales or restocking skills.
βœ” Use the Store Perk System (rewards panel) to unlock benefits like faster checkouts, lower restocking costs, or additional employees.
βœ” Take time off to restock and prep when needed.


🚫 What You Don’t Need

❌ You don’t need Dine Out (that’s for restaurants).
❌ You don’t need mods β€” the full retail system works inside Get to Work + Base Game.
❌ You don’t need to run live counters β€” the game handles checkout automatically once you ring up sales.

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