Forget what you think you know about retail and checkout life on the other side of the counter.
The industry is the largest private sector employer with nearly three million people employed across the UK, creating more jobs than any other sector over the last five years. With 291,000 businesses taking around £260 billion a year, retail is a dynamic and evolving sector at the cutting edge of technological and communication developments that offers a wealth of opportunities for graduates at managerial level. It offers:
RAPID PROMOTION AND BIG REWARDS
Retail offers ambitious high achievers the opportunity to fast track their career. Promotion is offered to those who excel in their role as well as those who have considerable experience and long service. Most graduate schemes in retail command a starting salary of between £25-30k. The average graduate salary grows to £40+k within 5 years, although this can be significantly higher for super performers. Retailers offer substantial remuneration packages that can include competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, gym membership, life assurance, pension scheme, private healthcare, share options, subsidised restaurant and generous holiday entitlement.
THE BEST MANAGEMENT TRAINING
Graduate training schemes are famous for being comprehensive and challenging. Most large retailers have prestigious graduate training programmes in areas like operations, IT, finance and HR. The content of the programmes is as wide-ranging as the careers on offer and, although sections of the training may be mapped to further qualifications, retailers concentrate on the specific skills of the applicant. You could find yourself launching new products, solving supply chain problems or leading new initiatives as part of the course. Even when in your role, up-skilling will be paramount to your development and retailers will ensure your skills are kept sharpened.
ANY DEGREE WILL DO
You don’t have to complete a degree in retail to make a career in the industry; all you need are the right skills and attitude. Retailers want their managers to demonstrate commercial awareness, motivation, first-class communication, leadership, good teamworking, problem-solving skills and a passionate knowledge of the sector. This can be gained from relevant work experience in a formal placement or a part-time job while studying. Graduate programmes are open to graduates of any discipline with a 2.2 or above, giving you the opportunity to work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
BE PART OF A TEAM
Retail is a people business where excellent communication skills are paramount to the success of the business. Successful retail managers are able to develop strong relationships with their customers and their colleagues.
SPECIALISE IN AREAS THAT INTEREST YOU
Retail offers the opportunity to become an expert in a product area that really excites you, whether you have a passion for fashion, have an expert nose or palate for food and wine or are simply obsessed with the latest electrical gadgets, you can indulge yourself by working every day with these products. Various roles such as marketing, buying and merchandising allow you to really delve deep into your area of interest.
Ian Cheshire, CEO, Kingfisher explains why a retail career is the intelligent choice for graduates.
GRADUATE RECRUITMENT SCHEMES
Morrisons - www.iwantafreshstart.com
Tesco - www.tesco-graduates.com
Aldi - www.aldirecruitment.co.uk
Sainsburys – www2.sainsburys.co.uk/graduates/index.asp?from=http://www2.sainsburys.co.uk/aboutus/recruitment/careers_new.htm
Waitrose - www.jlpjobs.com/graduateSchemes/waitrose/index.php
John Lewis - www.jlpjobs.com/graduateSchemes/index.php
Marks & Spencer - http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/mscareers/opportunities/graduates
ASDA - www.asda.jobs/graduates/index.html
Somerfield - www.somerfieldgraduates.co.uk/
Iceland - http://jobs.iceland.co.uk/index.php
Booths - www.booths-supermarkets.co.uk/recruitment.htm
Budgens - www.joinbudgens.co.uk/
Londis - www.joinlondis.co.uk/
SPAR - www.spar.co.uk/retailers/recruitment/
Harrods - www.harrodscareers.com/Our-offer/Default.aspx
Fortnum & Mason - www.fortnumandmason.com/careers-fortnums.aspx
Debenhams - www.debenhams-jobs.com/deb_rec/
Co-op - www.co-operative.jobs/graduates/default.aspx
Netto - www.netto.co.uk/internet/nettog/menu/main.nsf
Boots - www.bootsjobs.com/graduates/
Bhs - www.bhs.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/bhsstore/217974/1/1
House of Fraser - www.houseofcareers.co.uk/CurrentOpportunities.aspx
River Island - http://xml.riverisland.com/flash/content.php
Waterstones - www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/pages/careers/1009/
Arcadia - www.arcadiagroup.co.uk/careers/opportunities/graduates/programmes/grad_progs.html
Argos - https://secure.argoscareers.com/index.html
Homebase - www.homebasecareers.co.uk/
B&Q - www.jobs.diy.com/jobs/apply/apply.html
Next - http://careers.next.co.uk/index.aspx?link=catwalk
Zara - www.inditexjobs.com/en/brands/zara
Mango - www.mango.com/oi/index.html
GAP - www.gapinc.com/public/Careers/careers.shtml
Uniqlo - www.uniqlo.com/uk/employment/
Primark - www.primark.co.uk/page.aspx?pointerid=67c87d5230a24747a70f14cba03f9a21