When people think about a career in retail, they often have scary flashbacks to a part-time or casual job they had in their high school or university days. It seems working in retail has got a bad rep for not being a ‘real’ job. For this reason, pursuing a career in retail doesn’t cross people’s minds.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The retail industry is huge and there is much more to retail than just the store floor, stocking shelves or working a cash register. From human resources to marketing, information technology to merchandising and buying, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. The retail sector demands this diverse range of roles so you can tailor a career path to suit your passion. (and we recruit across all these roles too!)
So what jobs are there?
You’re familiar with the more well known retail positions such as sales assistants and more managerial roles. But what other jobs are there?
There are all sorts of roles in the retail sector, some of which including:
- Buyer
- Brand Marketing Manager
- Human Resources Manager
- Visual Merchandising
- Executive Positions
- Analyst
- Customer Care
- Image Promoter
- Pricing and Signing Coordinator
If you have an aptitude for numbers, perhaps a position in merchandising or buying might be right for you? On the flip side, if you are a creative and visual person, a role as a visual merchandiser, designing attractive store designs and displays could be perfect.
Always wanted to be an entrepreneur? It might pay to consider a career in retail working as your own boss. You could gain some experience and develop the skills needed by working with a retail company before going out on your own.
Do I need a degree?
A career in retail is perfect for grads looking to put their degree to work and launch their career. If you have graduated with a degree in retail management or a broader degree in business, marketing or communications, there are a number of jobs in retail that will put the skills gained from your degree to great use.
Don’t have a degree? No need to worry, employees within the retail sector have come from all walks of life. Many people work their way up to their way up in retail starting on the sales floor. If you’re already working as a retail assistant, why not consider turning your casual or part-time job into a career? The hardest part is getting your foot in the door, and that’s already ticked off the list.
Why choose a career in retail?
A career in retail has lots of perks. Firstly, retail isn’t likely to go anywhere soon. This means that there will be a continued demand for jobs within the retail sector. Retail is also a fast-paced environment, and no two days will be the same. It’s the perfect working environment for someone who thrives off a busy work culture.
Have your sights set on the top of the ladder? For those high up there are many perks. Top fashion buyers are often seated front row at New York Fashion Week and jetting around the world to retail trade fairs. Sounds pretty amazing, right?!
To sum it up
Regardless of whether you want to work your way up the ladder within a company, or go out and start your own brand, a retail career will provide you with transferable skills and experience that is desirable to any role.
So, why not give it a try? It might just be your dream job.
If you’re ready to make the transition from retail to another career path, check out our careers page here.
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