Discover the Retail Business - opportunities for everyone by Adrian Ballisat

Discover the Retail Business Opportunities for everyone

Population

Plymouthnumbers Plymouth, the largest city on the south coast, is home to the biggest regional shopping centre west of Bristol, offering a range of shopping from Drake Circus shopping centre to over 200 independent retailers. With over 500 shops to choose from, Plymouth offers an ideal demographic mix for events and promotions

256,000 Retail catchment area

465,000 Retail ranking

28th

Day visitors

11 million

Plymouth’s catchment area has 293,400 households, with around 727,000 people About 405,000 people shop in Plymouth, indicating that just over half of the population of the catchment area regularly shop in the city centre The total high street expenditure available within Plymouth’s catchment area is £1,094 million of which just over £600 million of the total expenditure is actually spent within the city 02

Students

40,000 City centre floor space

130,000 metres square

City centre footfall

250,000 per week

Nationalnumbers The retail sector is the largest private sector employer

3.3 million

ÂŁ287 billion

Projections show that by 2017 the United Kingdom will have 3.3 million retail employees

UK retail sales were approximately ÂŁ287 billion in 2007. There has been a 21% increase in retail turnover since 2000 According to forecasts, overall demand for jobs in the retail sector will grow during the period 2007 to 2017 by 1.2 million

6% Number of people employed in UK workforce is expected to increase by 6% between 2007 and 2017

1.4 million Between 2007 and 2017, it is expected that 214,000 retail jobs will be created as a result of expansion, while a further 1.2 million jobs will be needed as a result of people leaving the sector. This means a total of 1.4 million jobs will be required There will be an increase in demand in corporate managerial, sales and transport delivery occupations and associate professional occupations

Career opportunities Types of jobs

1,428,710 Sales and customer service occupations 528,814 Managers and senior officials 364,252 Elementary occupations 177,323 Administrative and secretarial 137,626 Skilled trades occupations 100,999 Associate professional and technical 87,135 Process plant and machine operatives 56,130 Professional occupations 4,600 Personal service occupations Total

2,885,589

50 18 13 6 5 4 3 2 0 100

The retail industry is good at developing skills useful in any workplace and offers a wide range of jobs, many of which will allow you to take responsibility at an early stage of your career.

ONLINE facts Males shop online more than females The most regular shoppers are aged between 35-44 Most online shopping is by people whilst at work 41% of online shoppers shop online once a month The average small purchase is ÂŁ15, the average large purchase is ÂŁ85

Have a guess at The top ten 1 online shops 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 See p

age 15

for the

answe

Career examples Eight job areas cover the range of career options in retail: • Store Operations • Human Resources (including staff training) • Finance and Administration • Buying • Customer Contact Centres • Marketing • Logistics • Information Technology (IT) These eight areas are common in most retail businesses from grocery stores, electrical stores, to fashion outlets.

possible career paths Store Operations The majority of jobs in retail are within this area and deal with the smooth running of the store and selling of merchandise. The jobs include management roles and work on the shop floor, such as a sales assistant or department manager. One of the top jobs in this area would be Director of Operations.

Possible Career path

jobs

Saturday Job > Assistant Sales Person > Sales Assistant Supervisor > Department Manager > Deputy Store Manager > Store Manager

Director of Operations Regional Manager Area Manager Store Manager Assistant Store Manager Floor Manager Department Manager Assistant Department Manager Supervisor Senior Sales Assistant Sales Assistant Style Advisor/Personal Shopper Shelf Filler/Cleaner 07

Human Resources/Training This involves the appointment, well-being, development and training of the workforce. Human Resources helps to ensure the organisation employs the right people in terms of skills and experience and training opportunities are available to achieve the organisation’s objectives. Jobs in this area are: • HR Director • HR Manager • Personnel Manager • HR Assistant • Training Director • Training Manager • Training Officer • Recruitment Officer If you want to find out more about this area and the career opportunities available there are several personnel and training journals. These will give you an indication of types of jobs and their salaries. You will get an idea of what employers are looking for and what career progression is possible.

Buying

Finance and Administration Managing the money correctly is vital to a retailer’s success and with companies such as Tesco making over £2 billion profit a year, if finance is your thing the retail industry is the place to be. This department analyses business performance and makes sure the company stays on track and on budget. However, there is a lot more to working in the finance team than just number crunching at the end of the tax year. Accountants and finance professionals are also responsible for planning and securing the strategic and financial future of the business through monitoring store performance, annual and monthly trade and cost reviews, forecasting, risk analysis and working with other departments to develop product ranges and pricing. To work in retail finance you need to be able to show excellent attention to detail, organisational ability, project management and numerical and problem-solving skills. If you can cut the mustard at this level, responsibility can come quickly and you will be well rewarded financially. Some retailers offer finance training schemes and with some you may need to apply externally for a specific role. As well as in-house training you can get professional qualifications such as ACCA or CIMA. For entry, maths, business, economics and finance degrees are accepted. Finance managers can earn between £25,000 and £40,000 a year. More senior financial directors in large organisations can earn well in excess of £80,000 per year. Jobs in this area: • Chief Financial Officer/Financial Director • Financial Controller • Finance Officer/Treasurer • Financial Manager • Purchasing & Credit Controllers 09

Buying The retail buyer is responsible for purchasing attractive merchandise ensuring that the price, quality and availability are able to meet customer needs. By understanding the customers’ wants and needs, buyers are able to maximise profits and provide a commercially viable range of merchandise at competitive prices. The role of the buyer is demanding yet rewarding. Although support is provided it does involve considerable responsibility and autonomy. The ability to multi-task, prioritise work and meet strict deadlines are key requirements of this role which requires competency in a wide range of other skills such as analytical, motivational and leadership. Jobs in this area are: • Merchandiser • Assistant Buyer • Buyer • Senior Buyer • Head of Buying

Customer Contact Centres Call Centres Call centre operators normally work in the customer services department of an organisation maintaining regular contact with customers by telephone, email, SMS messaging and post. The work normally involves selling goods and services, or providing information and advice, all recorded on a customer database. Contact centres also respond to solve problems with products and services. They may replace products and/or refund the customer where the product or service did not meet the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectations or provide compensation.

Marketing Marketing personnel work on various projects to support and develop the brand, promote existing products and raise public awareness through advertising campaigns, in-store promotions and by building brand loyalty. Jobs in this area are: • Market Researcher • Loyalty Campaign Manager • Brand Manager • Events Planner • Packaging Designers • Marketing Plan Planner • Design Planner • Marketing Manager • Marketing Director • Head of PR • PR Assistant

Logistics Logistics is the UK’s fifth biggest industry employing 1.7 million people across 65,000 organisations. The industry is essential to the efficient performance of the UK, touching every business and household. It involves the movement, handling and storing of goods through a variety of modes of transport including rail, road, air, deep sea, short sea and waterways across 11 different supply chains which are: Automotive, Chemical & Petroleum, Clothing & Footwear, Construction, Electronics & Electrical, Food & Drink, Furniture & Furnishings, Paper & Printing, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Utilities and Third Party Logistics. This is a sector with lots of career opportunities involving lots of skills. Jobs in this area include: • Lorry or Van Driver • Warehouse/Distribution Manager/Supervisor/Operative • Transport Supervisor • Motorcycle Despatch Rider • Marketing and Communications Manager • Packer and Porter • Transport Clerk • Supply Chain Manager • Human Resources/Health & Safety Officer • Contract Manager • Shipping Clerk • Mechanic/Technician 13

Information Technology IT managers provide and support the technology infrastructure for an organisation and contribute to organisational policy with regard to quality standards and strategic planning. They work in every industry and service sector, usually with technicians, programmers and database administrators. Within this sector actual job titles are dependent on the employing organisation, for example, you could be a service delivery manager in a software house or a data processing manager in an end-user organisation. The roles include: • evaluating user needs and system functionality • ensuring IT facilities meet the organisation needs • IT budget management • systems upgrades, backup and security • researching and installing new systems • ensuring smooth running of all IT systems • ensuring compliance with software licensing laws • providing secure access to the network for remote users • ensuring the security of data • providing users with appropriate support and advice • managing crisis situations • mentoring and training new IT support staff • keeping up to date with the latest technologies 14

useful web addresses Local course information

Graduate careers www.prospects.ac.uk 14-19 course directory www.findacourse4me.co.uk Career information www.insidecareers.co.uk Plymouth University www.plymouth.ac.uk Qualifications explained www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/ UCP Marjon QualificationsExplained www.marjon.ac.uk Careers and further course information

Useful subject websites

Sector skills council for retail www.skillsmartretail.com Careers SW (Connexions) www.careerssw.org Logistics and supply chain jobs www.careersinlogistics.co.uk Helping discover what you could do and how to get there Human resource training and careers www.icould.com www.peoplemanagement.co.uk Information, careers advice and resources https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk

Retail careers www.retailcareers.co.uk www.inretail.co.uk www.retailmoves.com Apprenticeships www.retailchoice.com www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Competition Answers 1 eBay UK; 2 Amazon; 3 Argos; 4 Play.com; 5 Currys; 6 Dell; 7 Marks & Spencer; 8 Comet UK; 9 Next; 10 John Lewis Stores

t with a

year

n : nageme 4 ring Ma h a college for te a TraininHg C & otel ity g wit

ent. C hangin OND in nce exc ing on a placem ra F in t spen n work and the months th u Plymo College g De Ran e season or/Chef on is – v r e e b p Su Salcom l te o H Marina ervisor ears bin Sup rt London – 2 y a C , s s o te p s ir o A H y Air , Cit Airways Brymon 1 year ndon – ger o a L n a rs M ia r Ba lackfr mple, B a Inner Te Australi a year in r fo d e d & work Travelle ia As of and SE anager My career m d then m hich n a antra is alway e e in s give a new job at le ment tra ondon w ast 3 months, Manage Restaurant in L t for new never burn your bridges d ra n tau n (you may ne West E rs ining res a ed to work tr there again) a two yea e and becam za Hut – iz P – and not giving when you are bored rs your best, it manage is time to move on to a new challeng r e or a new job! Manage – 3 years Branch ns o s w a L k orking Tavistoc irector w d D g in g a an d an sed to M he retire Progres my father until ! e alongsid nued ever since nti o c e v a h

Case Studies Liz Lawson Top Tip!

Key to th ability to e success of a Saturd work with peo retail career is ay sale ple. I sta the s ad rte home to wn of N visor at Little d as a departm woods ewport. in e and pro nt and I enjo I worked in th my yed me e food viding c eti up as a u superv stomer servic ng people is e up a de gree in or before leav . I ended compu in ter scie g to take n ce. O n gradu on its g ating I returne rad d to Littl ewoods experie uate scheme, nce acr oss the giving me Russia UK. I w to overs ent ee the o new sh ops. pening to of two I return e had a p d to the UK a s a Marks ssion for wor a store mana king ov & Spen ger but ers c in the M I e iddle E r, where I ope eas and mov now ast. ed ned six new sto to I return res e Marks d to the UK a & Spen s mana cer sto new Dr ger of th re a genera ke Circus sho and was inv e Plymouth o l mana ger of th pping centre. lved in the I am no is shop A broad w ping ce ntre. you in experience a so man nd train y differ ultimate ing in r en e day-to- ly people focu t areas, all o tail develops f which day, wh sed. Yo a public. at you u will fac never know re , fr e with th e gene om ral

udies t S e s a C e Jones Mik

I am 21 years old, own clothing bran and a year ago I launched my d developed into â&#x20AC;&#x153;channel-3â&#x20AC;?. The brand has designing artw or different clients k and visuals fo as well as cloth ing and posters r my own name. under

Case Studies Lee Spence ! My advice is to Top Tip d that you have options. understan Be ambitious, have no fear and make your own mistakes; learn from them and other people. Be inspired, research, analyse and understand and most of all ASK QUESTIONS. Reach out to people who can answer - it takes teamwork to make the dream work.

I had the idea to set up a crea tive business I was 19 after w graduating fro m a National D hen in Graphic Des iploma ign. At school I studied Art & ICT, and Graph Design, ic Products. I researched m options and fe y lt a University path was not fo r me. I developed m y bu the Business Ad siness plan with support fro m vice Centre. I then received a young entre preneurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busi loan from The ness Pr clothing brand inces Trust and launched m y in October 2008 have been grow . Si ing, learning, de nce then I understanding veloping and my business. I meet with my business men to basis and disc uss how everyt r on a monthly hi out. He is my main point of co ng is panning ntact within th trust so if I need e is always ther further help and support he e to give it.

I was b

orn

in Plym Woolw outh an o Econom rths at 16 whil d started wor kin st ics and Busine taking studyin g in ss Stud g A lev el ies. I comp lete at The d a degree in Un Bu as parti iversity of Ply siness Admin m ed too is hard an outh (failed fi tration rst yea d had to r retake!) I went to work fo th r Surfin e ladies g Life, m the ma department and on anaging nagem to overs e Surfing nt of Q ee uiksilve Life. r and In May 20 store n 07 S e involve ar the shoppin urfing Life op d in the ened a g centr ambas sador. city centre by e and then be new came being a BID In 2004 , and too I went back to Although my degree helps me k manag a post gradu Uni one mor with my everyday job it is my n ement to deve ate diploma in ing a week retail experience and passion lo p m that nt y onme career strategic In Nove for the retail envir prospe m cts. Manag ber 2008 I w led me to this position. er with a s a p p the Ply which fo ointed m B to attra cuses on dev outh City Cen ID Retail ct shop eloping tre Com pe markets s p , Big S rs to the city ervices and e any creen e c v vents a entre such as ents nd Style fo Week. od

Case Studdiersidge Eve Wool

Top Tip!

sodyne g with Sen Plymouth, n si u o h re a -Miller in started in w My career anufacturers, Stafford cking team. a m p e e st th rs for toothpa newspape g in d d me re sh and gave ing in me n to progress. th e m o s er saw nisatio My manag ities within the orga involved running r n e u g rt a o n p a r shipping tic M the op le as Logis centre responsible fo incoming ro l a n fi y M all distribution control of a separate rldwide and in full o w products oods. g in finished g iller buildin Stafford M ilding, I had e th d e s a ave the bu roup purch The Una G s the last person to le n and then work out a ra d 2004, an e of learning how it operations. g of the challen down over 30 years me how to close up offered nd the gro within the new a , e c n e ri e e exp nager I enjoyed th as Site Facilities Ma Learn from ev n o iti s o p erything and the that is throw anything n at e problem venture. know the mor you, the more you es and lov erations g n lle a h c p h e brace fres e into the o with problem you are able to deal joy and em med natural to mov at all four Una s later on in n e I your career. Always give it see ring th yo solving, so responsible for ensu fter nearly 6 years, I one can ask ur best, that’s all any A m l. a a I n of you. eratio sector. are fully op ns Manager. s ite s p u Gro tio roup Opera am now G goes omething so when s my brain kicks , g in lv o s n lem I love prob quires urgent attentio roblem and by p re c r ifi o c e g p n s ro a w m about a l possible re ra d e n v e e v in, I e up with s e m o c e morning I’v know sad…) (I solutions.

Case Studies RAY JOHNS Top Tip!

Case Studies Nicola hurst

I grew u High S p in Plymouth chool fo a r Girls. nd attended Devonp I did an ort comple art foundation ted a fo c ur year ourse and in 19 degree After co in Jewe 90 llege I llery. ha see jew ellery e d other jobs, n ver aga ot wan jewelle tin in ry doing r for friends, s ! But I started g to epairs e m ll in g a etc. Ev few pie aking a busin entu ce e money ss to see if I c ally I decided s, .A o to of mak lso I started e uld make som start ing aga e njoying in. the pro cess I did ve ry well, w I local ch sold jeweller ithout adverti y s u London rch fetes, at at my kitchen ing at all. Countr , all ove y Living table, at r. Craft F I moved air in b a c k to Plym run a g ou a and se llery and mak th 4Â˝ years a ll work g by othe e stock piece o and I now s of jew r make rs. ellery, I feel v e enjoy; ry lucky to be to a jewelle be constantl ble to do wha ry that y makes challenged b t I really people y it, to make smile. Making worth it a living in the . trade is hard, b ut itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

S L E

s E S

GCS Es

ER D H G I H

ARN E L N TIO A ND U O

LEV

GC S EA

FOUN DAT IO N

DE G

RE E

PLOYMEN M E E E R MAIN EG D PROGRESSION S R D D E U C N ROUTES O A N V O H AD

NT APPRE NTIC ESH IP

DIPLOM A

TW EN YM ITH INING T RA

A OM PL DI

SHIP ICE

NING FO UND AT IO N

AP PR

T EN

DIPLOM A

EM PL O

Somef ur t heri nf or mat i onyoumayf i ndusef ul . . .

CUSTOM ER SERVICE

Illustration of career progression and skill development

Sample Jobs

LEVEL 5+

Examples of Job Specific Skills

LEVEL 3

Experienced to Supervisory

LEVEL 1/2

Entry Level Employment to Intermediate

SKILL DEVELOPMENT - depending on experience

Junior to Middle Management

Skills and Attributes (Illustrative) Establishing strategic business relations Devising and deploying company objectives and goals

Senior Management

LEVEL 4

A guide to the types of jobs you could progress to if you invest in the relevent skills and training

Call Centre Manager Relationship Manager Senior Cabin Crew Retail Manager

Efficiently allocating resources Excellent interpersonal and networking skills Maintaining high safety and security standards Building up distribution channels

Analytical Skills (eg. identifying trends) Finance (eg. budgeting, setting and meeting targets) Planning (eg. developing strategies, shift patterns) Strong commercial awareness (eg. maximising profits) Strong leadership (eg. Upholds company vision and culture) Decision making and taking effective action

Sales Team Leader Retail Supervisor Travel Agent Personal Banker Telemarketing Executive Cabin Crew

Experience of setting and meets targets Good knowledge of products and standards Maintaining up-to-date travel knowledge Detailed knowledge and understanding of products Database skills (eg. retrieving and comparing data) Friendly, positive attitude, energetic

Excellent problem solver (eg. exceeding expectations) Good leadership (eg. supportive, motivates team) Creative (eg. identifying new markets & opportunities) Strong interpersonal skills (eg. builds relationships and trust with clients) Proactive (eg. addresses shortfalls without prompting)

Retail Sales Assistant Customer Advisor Receptionist Call Centre Agent Switchboard Operator Passenger Services Assistant

Helpful, approachable and organised Excellent telephone manner, persuasive Courteous, approachable and efficient Excellent telephone manner, active listener Able to work under rigorous time constraints Security conscious

Confident communicator (verbal and oral) Empathetic and able to build rapport Calm under pressure Team Worker (eg. thinks of others, puts team first) Good ICT skills (eg. email, word documents) Problem Solver (eg. handling complaints, negotiating) Good arithmetic skills (eg. ability to calculate efficiently) Responsive (eg. Listening and understanding customer needs)

Developed in partnership by Exeter & Heart of Devon Employment & Skills Board Â