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About the retail industry

Retail is one of the most varied and exciting sectors you could choose for a career. There are nine areas that cover the vast range of career options in the retail sector:

• information technology
• human resources
• buying
• store operations
• logistics and transport
• merchandising
• public relations and marketing
• finance
• visual merchandising

Jobs in the retail industry

There are a wide variety of jobs available in the retail industry and there are plenty of opportunities for career progression, good salaries and staff perks.

You could plan creative window displays for a clothes shop or buy for a department store and predict what’s going to be popular on the shelves next year.

If you have a positive attitude and are a good communicator you could be a sales assistant, a beauty consultant, a checkout operator or part of a marketing team.

Advantages of working in the retail industry

There are many advantages to working in retail including:

• excellent opportunities - retailers have excellent training programmes offering many different career choices
• flexibility - many areas of retail work are not tied to 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, which can give you the flexibility you need
• varied working conditions - driving for a supermarket or office based
• good prospects - there are opportunities for fast career progression

Real-life examples

Leanne Jones, Shop Assistant

I’m not tied to 9 to 5, which has given me the flexibility I need. I can work around my family commitments, which is really important. When a customer thanks me for the help I have given them, it makes it all worthwhile. I earn £14,000.

Nadia Mohammad, Sales Manager

The fast pace and working to sales targets isn’t for everyone, but I love it. I came here through a graduate training scheme straight from university and I’ve never looked back. I’ve been here two years and I now manage a team of 20 people. I earn £30,000 a year.

Find a job in this sector

Find out more about training and careers in the retail industry by visiting the websites below:

• Skillsmart retail Opens new window

• The Recruitment and Employment Confederation Opens new window

More useful information

For more information on working in this sector and gaining the skills you need, talk to a Jobcentre Plus adviser by calling 0845 606 0234.

They can also tell you what help and support is available to you to help you into work.

• Find your local Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

• Help and advice when applying for a job