Do you tip at brick and mortar retail stores?

Tip requests from traditional retail stores have become increasingly common with electronic payment screens. 

In this section, we have gathered data from customers and industry workers in the U.S. about their tipping behavior and expectations at brick and mortar retail stores.

What does the graph show? Customer and Worker Averages.

The graph below displays the tips customers provide for average service at brick and mortar retail stores compared to what industry workers expect to be tipped for average service. The data is based on feedback from TippingGuide.com users living in the United States.

Brick Mortar Tips

Shopping in stores is different now, mostly because the card machines constantly ask for a tip. Everyone knows to tip a waiter or a barista, but figuring out what to do at a normal retail store is confusing. Retail has always worked differently from the service industry. This guide explains the rules for tipping in stores today. It covers the checkout process and helps you decide when you should tip and when it is okay to just hit skip.

Quick Facts: Brick-and-Mortar Retail

In the past, people didn't tip in regular retail stores. If you buy a shirt or a book, you just pay the sticker price plus tax. Store workers get paid a normal hourly rate, so they don't depend on tips as waiters do. Recently, though, digital checkout screens have started asking for tips everywhere. Even with these new screens, the basic rule hasn't changed. You don't have to tip for a standard purchase. A tip is still just an extra reward if an employee gives you special, one-on-one help.

Tipping at Physical Retail Stores: Should You Tip?

Figuring out whether to tip at a store really just comes down to how much help you received. Here's what to keep in mind while you're shopping:

• The amount of hands-on, dedicated assistance the employee provided throughout your visit.
• If they provided specialized service, like custom fitting or personal styling.
• If the store is a hybrid, like a boutique that also runs a coffee bar.
• The official company policy, as many large retail chains strictly prohibit their employees from accepting any form of gratuity.

When You Might Tip Store Employees

You usually don't need to tip in retail, but there are a few times when it makes sense. You might want to tip if:

• A worker spends a lot of time helping you pick out clothes or tracking down a hard-to-find item.
• Someone helps you load heavy or big items into your car.
• You get an actual service done at the store, like getting your makeup applied or getting measured for tailoring.
• You are at a small local shop, and the workers go out of their way to help you.

When Tipping Is Uncommon

In most everyday retail interactions, there is absolutely no expectation to leave a gratuity, regardless of what the payment terminal might suggest. Tipping is generally unnecessary in the following circumstances:

• You just take your items to the register and pay.
• You scan your own stuff at self-checkout or pay on your phone.
• An employee just points you to the right aisle or does a quick check to see if they have something in the back.
• You are shopping at a grocery store, a big-box store, or a regular department store.



How Customers Usually Handle Tipping at Retail Locations

If a shopper decides to tip in a retail store, they usually keep it quiet. When a card reader asks for a tip on a basic purchase, most people just hit the "no tip" option and don't think twice about it. But if a worker spends a long time helping you, like putting together an outfit for an hour, you might just hand them some cash. If you do this, you should ask if they are allowed to take it first. A lot of big retail chains have strict rules, and an employee could actually get in trouble for taking money from a customer. If they aren't allowed to accept cash, telling the store manager they did a great job is the best way to say thanks.