Careers in Retailing

By – rohit singh

The Myths: What Retail isn’t…..

Poor salary prospects Graduate salary starts as

high ..Long, unsociable hours

Varied hours, giving flexibility to suit your lifestyle

Not creative or stimulating Brand specialists and visual

merchandisers to name just two important roles

Dead end job Training programs encourage

your development and progressAnyone can do retail

Retail apprenticeships are a recognized route in; 29% of all the graduate join the retail

An Introduction to the Retail SectorSize of Indian retail market

--------------------------------US$ 450 billion

Employees- --------------40 million

13 million new jobs will be created by 2015

*Retail has created more jobs than any other sector over the last five years

Careers in Retail: Key ThemesVarietyProfitProgressFlexibilityLifestyle

With a huge choice of roles and opportunities to move around, there’s something for virtually everyone.

Variety: breaking it downStore operationsHR and trainingFinance and administrationBuying Customer contact centersMarketingLogisticsITVisual Merchandising

Variety: roles for everyoneSome specialized occupations

Sales assistantBrand managerVisual merchandiserSenior buyer

Some broader occupationsDirector of financeHR managerWeb assistantCustomer service representativeWarehouse operator

Progress: Salary and DevelopmentEarn while you

learn with an apprenticeship

Graduate training programs

Progression towards manager level

Great perks and extras in all posts

Continuous professional development

Profit from qualifications and experienceRetail apprenticeship routesRetail diplomaPopular graduate career path- from virtually

all degrees disciplinesMoving from other sectorsBenefit of work experience

Summer placementSaturday jobDealing with customers

Work experience guides

Flexibility: A break from the norm

Getting away from 9 to 5Fit your life around your work

Part-time workingOpportunity to move around the business

Lifestyle: in your best interest

People often buy things they’re interested in

Sport, music, technology, gamesWorking with goods and services of personal interest.

Trends in Retail: the current marketRetailers need to respond quickly to new

fashions and new productsMobile retailingInternet -e-tailingImpact on customer interface

Websites and contact centersHome delivery for groceries and many other

items

Skills required: what employers wantEmployability skillsPeople skillsSales skillsPersonal presentationThe right attitudeEnthusiasm and reliabilityTeam workingManagerial potential

Desired skill-set required for Sales Executive/Store Manager

Good communication skills (ability to persuade customer).

Patience to deal with all kinds of customers.Good product knowledge (in terms of

features).Knowledge of competitor’s products.Good knowledge of store dynamics in terms

of hot selling products, hot traffic spots (in the store), and merchandising requirements.

Thank you