How much do you really know about the retail careers of today? They have great opportunities for big figure salaries, career progression and a bright business future.
Myth 1: There is no chance of progression in retail careers (but actually you could reach the VIP boardroom)
In many large retail companies – like Youth Friendly Employer McDonald’s, to name an example – many head office VIPs in the highest positions started out as sales assistants or retail crew members.
When you go into a shop, you notice the sales assistants and cashiers (hopefully because of their great customer service skills). What about all the people you don’t see, like the retail buyer, the beauty business development manager, the E commerce manager or the merchandiser?
Retail careers are all about the fine art of selling goods to customers, and almost any job under the sun has a connection to retail careers. Art and visual display? Business? Management? Technology? Wordcraft? The psychology of shopping? Whatever gets you going, there are countless opportunities for a retail career that genuinely suits your interest, with great salaries and the potential of heading into senior management roles.
Myth 2: Retail jobs are badly paid (but how does £60k a year grab you?)
Your starting salary is often higher than minimum wage, and offers you the chance to build vital life and work skills that could take you anywhere in life. If you’re just starting out in the world of work, you really need an employer to give you a chance to show what you can do. Retail jobs like counter service assistant show your manager you understand the key basics of retail that will stand you in good stead all the way through to roles like retail merchandiser (which can earn you around £60,000 a year once you’re experience). And what are the key basics of retail? It’s all about understanding what people want, and how to incentivise them to buy your company’s products while having a good customer experience that makes them want to buy from you again in the future.
Because retail business is big business in the UK, and one of its flagships in the economy, there is a lot of money to be made with a retail career that’s rewarding for you and your bank balance too.
Myth 3: Retail jobs are going nowhere (in fact, they’re here to stay – because the customers of the future will always need to shop)
There’s a lot of talk about how the high street is changing, and how the rise of the robots (see artificial intelligence (AI) careers) means that lots of jobs as we know them will bite the dust.
However, retail careers have got it covered. They’re future-proofed, because people will always want to buy products, whether it’s on the high street or online.
In fact, retail careers have already been changing to keep up with the times – and maybe you haven’t noticed. Over 100,000 people now work in retail jobs that didn’t exist ten years ago.
As customer habits change, retail companies are keeping up in all kinds of different ways. Some are putting community at the heart of what they do, to offer a fantastic customer experience both online and offline. Some companies are embracing technology using market insights, trends, and intuitive design to create a sensational customer journey. Many employers are using innovation to freshen up current retail practices, and researching new ideas and products to meet the needs of customers today and tomorrow.
The retail careers of the future – and today – mean you’ll be working with an inspiring blend of people, business and technology. It’s time to rethink retail.
