How to find your next career in retail
THE UK is often described as a ‘nation of shopkeepers' but we’re a nation of shop staff too.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, online shopping and rising inflation, retail remains the UK's largest private sector employer with 2.9 million employees.
Retail sales is often thought of as a first job but it can also prove to be a lifelong and lucrative career. With over 20,000 vacancies nationwide, there’s certain to be a role for you.
So stop shopping around and see what it could offer in our latest Sun Jobs guide.
Isn’t shop work for students or people between jobs?
Not at all! Retail roles can be anything from eight to 40 hours a week and can be done as a stopgap or to build a professional career.
With a choice of hours including weekends and some evenings, you can fit it around other commitments or commit to it for your future.
What about the salary?
It may surprise you to know that the average retail salary is over £27,000 before you factor in bonuses or perks.
Managers make more, while junior staff tend to begin on the minimum wage. High-end retailers seeking experienced staff can pay significantly more.
What are the perks?
Retail sales have some of the best perks going.
Flexible hours, in-store discounts, a bonus if you reach your target and the chance to work for a brand you genuinely enjoy.
You’ll also learn how to work with the public, manage sales and cashflow and in some cases, become a sector expert in your role such as tech, mobile phones or high fashion.
How can I build a long-term career?
There are two main routes. Working your way up from the shop floor to retail management could see you trouser a six-figure salary in a major store or supermarket.
The most successful ex-shop floor staff are now in boardrooms nationwide too.
Or you could transfer your sales skills to a raft of other roles from banking to property.
If you can sell, you’ll be sought after in every sector.
Ready to check out this week's job picks?
Sales Consultant (Full Time), Adidas, Braintree
Work for one of the world’s top sporting brands.
The role: Adidas is hiring a to work at its store in Braintree.
What you’ll do: You will be the first point of contact with customers and the face of the brand.
Everything Adidas does is rooted in sport, so you will be required to be proactive in your approach, take responsibility when needed, be curious and learn new and better ways of doing things
You will also need to work collaboratively with your colleagues to follow through.
What you’ll need: Applicants should be curious, open-minded and ambitious and have similar values to Adidas.
Apply now: .
Assistant Store Manager, Under Armour, London
Ready to make the move into retail management?
The role: Under Armour is seeking an for its London Oxford Street store.
What you’ll do: Under the direction of the Store Manager, you will lead a team of dedicated associates to achieve or exceed the sales and profitability targets by maintaining operational and merchandising excellence.
You will also oversee inventory control, monitor store shrink performance and ensure store payroll optimises business results.
What you’ll need: You should have one to three years of retail store management experience, ideally with a premium international brand, and be familiar with retail POS register systems.
You'll have a strong understanding of store operations, including visual merchandising and have fluency in English.
Apply now: .
Retail Associate, New Balance, London
This prestige role on London’s flagship Oxford Street is an amazing way to break into retail
The role: New Balance is looking for a to work a 38-hour week at its store on London’s Oxford Street.
What you’ll do: You will deliver total customer satisfaction to every customer, following the end-to-end customer journey––from entering the store to leaving the store.
You'll help to ensure the store remains as commercial as possible, achieve personal KPIs and contribute to the overall store performance.
What you’ll need: The ideal candidate will have a passion for retail and sales, be a team player, be able to demonstrate customer service skills, have effective communication skills and be able to perform basic maths and general retail operational processes.
Apply now: .