Graduate Retail Schemes

Firstly, massive well done for getting to your final year. That’s such a big milestone! If you’re looking to get into your first role after university, you could consider a retail graduate scheme.

These structured programmes are designed to help you build a strong foundation in the retail sector right after graduation. They tend to last from one to three years and allow you to explore loads of different areas in a company.

Something you’re interested in? Read on to find out more.

Jump To:

How do retail graduate schemes work? Types of graduate retail jobs Which companies offer graduate retail schemes? How much do you get paid? What qualifications do you need? When should I apply for a retail graduate job? How to apply

How do graduate retail schemes work?

Retail graduate schemes last anywhere from one year to three years, with rotations between multiple departments and business areas. You can work for a retail company that has a physical store or is based online, which will help determine what type of departments you will work in.

Being exposed to different departments will allow you to gain a true taste of what it's like to work within the retail sector, as well as find an area in which you may wish to specialise in future.

After you've completed your graduate scheme, you may be invited to stay at the company as a permanent employee. If not, you can apply for retail roles elsewhere.

It’s also important to note that you can apply for graduate roles up to two years after you graduate, so you can take some time off after university if you wish!

Types of graduate retail jobs

There are so many different graduate schemes within the retail sector. Some business areas are:

Sales and Customer Service

This can include:

Sales Assistant/Associate: Working directly with customers, providing sales and customer service.
Sales Executive/Representative: Prospecting new clients, maintaining relationships, and closing deals.
Trainee Manager: Providing training in sales, customer care, and business management.

Merchandising and Buying

This can include

Assistant Merchandiser: Working with product selection, presentation, and placement.
Buyer: Specialising in a particular product category (e.g., fashion, food) and responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and pricing.
Visual Merchandiser: Creating visually appealing displays and layouts to attract customers.

Management

This can include

Assistant Manager: Supporting store managers in various operational and management tasks.
Retail Manager: Responsible for day-to-day operations, managing staff, and ensuring sales targets are met.

Other Areas

This can include

E-commerce Specialist: Managing online retail operations.
Digital Marketing Specialist: Developing and executing online marketing campaigns.
Loss Prevention Specialist: Implementing measures to prevent shoplifting and other forms of loss.

Which companies offer retail graduate schemes?

Here are a few options.

ALDI

ALDI wants graduates to bring the best version of themselves, in return for rewards with a fantastic package - and the rumours are true, it includes a fully expensed car!

John Lewis Partnership

John Lewis Partnership offers 24-month Graduate Programmes. Gain hands-on experience, leadership development, and the chance to drive change.

Boots

Boots graduate schemes support you in achieving your goals, creating an open and inclusive working environment.

How much do you get paid in a retail graduate scheme?

Always know that how much you get paid will depend on where you live and the company. If you’re in London or another major city, you can expect a little more to help with living costs.

On average, retail graduates earn anywhere between £29,000 to £50,000! So, there’s a lot of variety, but do note, earning more doesn’t necessarily mean that the scheme is better. You should take into consideration what the role entails and any other benefits you get from the role.

What qualifications do you need for a retail graduate job?

Most employers will require you to have at least a 2:2, however, some employers prefer a 2:1.

Sometimes employers will want specific degree disciplines like business, retail management or marketing, depending on the type of role you apply for. It’s always best to check with the employer specifically what entry requirements they have.

Having internships or a placement year on your CV will also help you stand out, especially if you have done one in the retail industry.

When should I apply for a graduate job?

It depends on when you want to look for a job. If you want to go travelling for a bit, for example, after you graduate, you won’t need to start looking that early. However, if you want to start when you finish university, you should start looking at roles from September/October to start the following Autumn.

Don’t worry if it’s already past that, there are plenty of opportunities that recruit all year round.

How to apply

So you have found the grad scheme you want to apply for (which there are hundreds of on our website every single year!). Now you need to ace the application process.

Usually, you’re going to expect to have to do the following: