The UK’s shops - whether located on a busy high street, a boutique arcade or online – offer a plethora of choices for job seekers!
The British economy may be experiencing uncertain times, but if there’s one thing British people like to do, it’s shop. Retail is the UK’s largest private sector employer and generates more than £358bn a year in sales.
And while many high-street stores have ceased trading in recent years, smaller, independent shops are appearing and online shopping is continuing to grow in popularity.
Working in retail can be a great choice if you enjoy meeting people and follow trends. If you relish the excitement of selling, working on the shop floor could be an option. There are also plenty of roles behind the scenes, in areas such as design, marketing, buying and merchandising, as well as roles within e-commerce, a sector created by the ever-growing number of online stores.
“We’re seeing a divergence between the big players and more niche stores,” says Richard Cuthbertson, research director at the Oxford Institute of Retail Management at the University of Oxford. “The big players are getting bigger and more global through the efficiencies of their back office, and their investment in supply chain, IT, and so on. At the same time, we’re also seeing the growth of stores that focus on a particular customer.”
Which role?
When it comes to retail, opportunities are vast. You generally won’t need formal qualifications if you start as a store assistant, but you will need a positive, hard-working attitude, good communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
You can also get your foot in the door by taking an apprenticeship, studying for qualifications as you earn, or you can complete a diploma or degree and join as a management trainee. “It’s still possible to join a retailer after leaving school, college or university and develop a successful career, as retailers promote on merit,” says Cuthbertson.
Graduates are in high demand in retail – the majority of big names take on graduates every year through their in-house management training schemes. Strong business acumen gained from a business management or marketing degree can be sought-after by employers and stand you in good stead for a successful career in retail.
“Higher academic qualifications should help you along the way and may make your path quicker or easier,” says Cuthbertson. “However, retailers invest in training and it’s this investment in people that has helped develop today’s retail leaders.”
Why retail?
There are many reasons to choose a career in the retail industry:
- It’s a sociable industry, where you’ll meet and work alongside lots of different types of people
- The work environment is fast-paced and never dull – businesses are constantly thinking of ways to reach new customers and keep old ones coming back for more
- You can get a foot on the ladder without any formal qualifications
- In-house promotions are common – work hard and you’ll soon come across opportunities to progress
- The size of the industry means there are jobs to suit all passions, from art and fashion to food and tech.
- You may get discounts on store items.
- The hours are often flexible, so suited to those with other commitments
- You’ll gain lots of transferable skills, such as customer service
- You could potentially work around the world, as retail is everywhere –from cruise liners to the huge malls of Paris, New York and the Middle East.
