Retail Careers
How big is the retail sector? It’s massive, so big that consumer spending makes up half of the UK's gross domestic product (GDP). As such, the industry is a crucial cog in the national economy, with retail jobs accounting for nearly 10% of all jobs in the UK.
As a result, there are wide opportunities to get work experience in retail and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods). All head offices of major retail companies will have roles across a variety of industries, from financial to design, HR to marketing. There really is something for everyone.
What is retail?
Take a moment and look at the clothes you’re wearing or the food you had for lunch - all are products of the retail sector. Practically every product we interact with in our daily lives can be attributed to retailers and consumers.
There is a wide range of roles on offer in retail, such as…
Buying. A buyer’s role is to find new and inventive suppliers and negotiate the purchase of their products. Often, they will also be responsible for the delivery, whether that be to the store or warehouse.
Merchandising. Merchandisers work behind the scenes and are responsible for what products and goods are on display on the shop floor at different times. Their purpose is to maximise the value and profits of stock.
Retail Management. Retail managers are in a senior position, responsible for the day-to-day running of the store or specific departments. They will constantly have their eyes on the day’s sales targets, ensuring high levels of customer service are maintained.
E-commerce. You would be involved in the process of buying and selling products and services online, mostly through the internet. This includes tasks like managing online stores, handling customer orders, processing payments, and providing customer support.
Digital Marketing. Digital marketers create and manage digital content, running advertising campaigns, optimising websites for search engines and analysing data to improve marketing efforts.
What is it like working in retail?
Fast-paced Challenging Environment.
As the subheading suggests, the retail and FMCG sectors are fast-paced and challenging environments to work in. Don’t take that as a negative; placement students, interns and graduates face new challenges daily, so each day is different.
Rewards and Benefits.
The retail sector has similar benefits to other key industries, such as health, dentistry and pension. One perk that is exclusive to retail is company discounts.
Opportunities to Travel.
Most of the companies that offer work experience in this sector have stores and offices across the country. This means you’ll be able to visit different regions around the UK.
Rapid Career Progression.
Retail values result over the time served. If you’re hitting your KPIs and driving a good customer experience, you can jump up the ladder faster than in industries that have a more rigid hierarchy.
How do I get work experience in retail?
During retail work experience, whether it’s an internship or apprenticeship, you’ll be placed in a position of responsibility, meaning you’ll be able to learn a lot in a short space of time, like how to manage others, deal with pressure and work in a fast-paced environment.
Retail expertise will set you apart from your peers who haven’t got practical experience to draw upon, giving you a better chance of success when applying for graduate positions at some of the UK’s biggest companies, like John Lewis Partners and ASOS.
Click below to find out more about each opportunity.
Retail Apprenticeships
Is your favourite part of the day choosing what to wear in the morning? An apprenticeship in retail could be exactly what you need to chuck in your career basket.
Retail Degree Apprenticeships
If you’re thinking of going to university to ultimately work in the retail industry, why not consider doing a degree apprenticeship instead? Not only would you not have to pay for your degree, but you would also get paid a salary. Doesn’t that sound like a good deal? On top of that, you will gain years of work experience on your CV.
Retail Graduate Schemes
These structured programmes are designed to help you build a strong foundation in the retail sector right after graduation.
Retail Internships
If you’re looking to get some experience over the summer, you could consider doing a retail internship, which normally lasts from one to four months. These are the perfect opportunities to develop your skills, as well as gaining great work experience for your CV and future career.
Retail Placements
Thinking about retail placements? If you’re in your second year of university, a retail placement is exactly what you need. Placements are your golden ticket to becoming work-ready before you graduate.
What employers can I work for?
There are so many different employers who offer work experience in retail. From high street stores to restaurants, the possibilities are endless.
Retail Manager, Co-op Co-opI’d recommend Co-op for its supportive culture, strong ethics, and career growth opportunities with apprenticeships, community focus, and a people-first approach, it’s ideal for developing retail leadership skills while working in a values-driven team. Plus, employee perks and flexible roles add real value.
What can I do with retail work experience?
Once you have all that amazing experience and skills from working in retail, the world is at your fingertips.
There are loads of areas you can get into. Here are some examples:
Marketing, Visual Merchanding, Social Media
Logisitc, Supply Chain, Buying
You could also get jobs like:
Sales Manager
Customer Support
Office coordinator
Feeling excited? We have loads of retail jobs available right now! Get started below.
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