Retail Sales and Customer Services
The recession has hit the retail sector very hard with some long-established names going out of business. The retail industry has changed a lot with some products being sold more on the internet than ever before.
In the East of England the sector employs approximately 290,000 people in just under 25,000 workplaces.
The retail sector accounts for more than 10% of jobs in England. Tesco is the UK’s second-largest employer after the National Health Service.
There is an increasing trend for jobs in retail to be part-time. More females work part-time than males, with 69% of women working less than 30 hours a week compared with 42% of men. There are fast track opportunities for those with drive and ambition.
More females work part-time than males, with 69% of women working less than 30 hours a week compared with 42% of men.
A shortage of employees with relevant skills, particularly in ICT, has been reported by a third of employers, leading to unfilled vacancies.
There are fast track opportunities for those with drive and ambition.
Formal qualifications are not always necessary - candidates can learn on the job. Retailers tend to be more interested in experience and skills.
How much could I earn?
Call Centre Agent/Operator £14,752
Customer Care Manager £39,034
Quality Assurance Manager £38,501
Retail and Wholesale Manager £27,290
Retail Cashier/Check Out Operator £8,167
Sales and Retail Assistant £9,619
Storage and Warehouse Manager £31,184
Transport and Distribution Manager £41,859
*Salary rates have been calculated using the average gross pay rates for full time workers. Figures are for the United Kingdom. Averages can hide higher earnings. With training and career development, higher salaries can be achieved. Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2009, O.N.S., © Crown Copyright.
What we think will happen
Even though the sector has seen growth over the last few years current forecasts for its future are uncertain. A growth in retail spending will rely on a growth of the UK economy as a whole.
Despite the growth of internet based shopping, shops and stores remain the dominant retail format throughout the UK. It is likely that they will remain the favourite way of shopping for some time to come.
There will continue to be an increase in demand for goods which are produced ethically, locally or regionally. This has led to a growth of outlets such as farmers’ markets (now numbering more than 550 in the UK).
The main influences on this sector will be: consumer confidence; the growth of e commerce; ICT; price competition and globalisation; regulations and the ever increasing importance of customer service. All these things will have an effect on the way people work and the skills needed.
Managers will need to be more skilled and better qualified. Ethical retailing – the purchases of ‘fair trade’ and organic products will increase.
New qualifications, called Diplomas, are being introduced. These will help people prepare for university, college or work. There will be a Diploma in Retail Business. Look out to see whether it’s on offer in your area.
Certain facts/figures are reproduced under the terms of the Click-Use Licence. © Red Bridge Solutions Ltd (www.redbridgesolutions.co.uk) December 2009
More information is contained in the pdf below.