Among the hundreds of possible careers to choose from, considering the retail industry is definitely a great option. The retail industry is the largest employer in the United Kingdom, with over 3 million people working under its dynamic environment. It is also the second largest industry in the United States, with sales of up to $4.16 trillion in 2005. As such, there are a diverse range of jobs and skills required to keep up with the rapid pace of customer expectations.

A career in the retail industry has several positive forces, including relatively low interest rates; easy availability of consumer credit; a very strong job market with relatively low unemployment rate; moderate inflation; a relatively low personal savings rate; and a higher stock market and personal investment values.

We have compiled a career path structure that shows a general overview of the market and the natural progression through the different environs of retail marketing, from in-store to head office to retail industry support.

In-Store Career Path

There are so many retail outlets around the world and there are many different job titles for the same roles and each individual recruiter may have specific requirements to suit its needs.

• Sales Assistant

Also known as Sales Associate and Sales Adviser

The key attributes that would make you stand out in this role are customer service, energy, and enthusiasm. Many of these positions are temporary or seasonal vacancies, but it is important to recognize that full-time positions are a great way to start your career in retail. A lot of top executives within the industry started on the shop floor—be it as a Cashier, a Shelf Stacker, or a Sales Assistant—where they learned the important aspects of the retail environment.

• Supervisor

Also known as Team Leader

Once you have built your skills and experience, the next step is generally into a supervisory or team leader role. Here you will take on more responsibility, begin to learn how to manage individuals and make sure customer service levels are being maintained. These roles are seen as the first step into retail management and at the same time an opportunity to display your potential. If you have the relevant experience and feel it is time to move further up, the retail ladder have a look at the latest and the best.

• Department Manager

Also known as Sales Manager and Floor Manager

As a department manager, you will take responsibility for a section of a store and begin to learn the intricacies of managing a team as well as developing your own style and knowledge of your product range. These roles are seen as the first step into Retail Management and are an opportunity to display your potential.

• Deputy Manager

Also known as Assistant Manager and Designate Store Manager

You now have a few years of experience within the market and are one step away from becoming a Store Manager. You would take charge of a store when the manager is absent and would rely on all the attributes that you have developed over the years. Organization, planning, leadership, and communication are vital in helping you keep up with the fast-paced nature of store life.

• Store Manager

Also known as Branch Manager

As a Store Manager, your responsibility is to effectively run your own business. You have accountability for decisions and must make sure you are reacting to market trends. An understanding of each of your staff's roles is essential as well as the recruitment processes, human resourcing requirements, P&L accountability, and the development of your team. Looking after all aspects of the retail world that affect your store is challenging yet extremely rewarding.

• Area Manager

Also known as District Manager

At this point, you would have succeeded at all the previous job types. It is time to pass on your experience, ideas, and support to a number of store managers that will report to you. Based across a region, your week will always be different and the pressures will change. Your understanding of seasonality within the retail market will help maximize profitability as well as keeping your brand at the forefront of the consumer's minds.

Other Store Roles

Aside from the ones stated above there are also in-store jobs that do not involve sales, but are vital in keeping the business thriving and profitable.

• Display and Visual Marketing

As a Display or Visual Merchandiser, you will be responsible for displaying your store's product ranges in the most attractive and profitable way, both in the shop window and around the store. It is much more complicated than positioning the most expensive items in front of the customers. You need to know the market, your customer's buying habits and reflect this in your displays. Retail is one of the most competitive markets to work in and, if customers are not attracted into a store, maximizing your profit potential is extremely difficult.

• Loss Prevention

This is vital in managing a successful store. Modern technology can help reduce loss of goods from shoplifters, and even from employees themselves, but can never compete with an experienced Loss Prevention Officer. The job can be diverse with many stores requiring their staff to be trained in health and safety. These skills are to aid both staff and shoppers alike.

Retail Jobs in Head Office

The retail industry is not just store-based. Head offices of major retailers employ large numbers of retail professionals who work in many different disciplines including Buying, Merchandising, Allocation, and Human Resources. If you are entering the retail industry in a shop role, the majority of these vacancies will not be suitable but to help round your knowledge of the workings within major retailers we have also provided basic information on the various roles. These roles are at the heart of making a retail organization successful as they focus around the purchasing, distribution, and analysis of products sold in-store.

• Retail Buyer

As a Buyer, your skills lie in predicting the future fashions and trends that would produce profits for your company many seasons ahead of the current time frame you are working in. Understanding your customer base is vital and purchasing products that meet their requirements, rather than reflect the whole market, is most important.

Becoming a Buyer takes years of experience and the progression towards the role generally involves becoming a Buyer's Clerk/ Administrator, then a Buyer's Assistant before moving into a Assistant Buyer position.

Entering the Buying world is extremely difficult with large numbers of candidates applying for every vacancy. Gaining a relevant degree can be useful in getting your foot on the ladder, but it will be the first step. If you are looking to move into the Buying sector of th market, you have to be realistic with your applications and look for the Buyer's Clerk/ Administrator roles rather than applying for jobs that your experience will not be suitable for.

• Retail Merchandiser

A Retail Merchandiser will work very closely with the Buyer. The Merchandiser is responsible for range planning, in-season trading, forecasting, and branch analysis. Basically, they ensure that the right product gets to the right stores at the right time. A Merchandiser's actions play a major play in increasing sales and profitability.

Similar to Buying positions, it is extremely difficult to enter this market. Skill is vital and relevant degrees are always welcomed by retailers. You would enter the market as an Allocator before moving up the ladder to Senior Allocator and then Assistant Merchandiser. If you are looking to develop your career within the merchandising environment, you must recognize your experience levels and at the same time be realistic in your applications. You will not become a Merchandiser if you currently work in-store. It's not that you couldn't be successful in the discipline, but like everyone else you would need to start your development at the Allocator level.

• Other Retail Head Office Jobs

The retail industry has a diverse range of jobs that suit your qualifications. Aside from Buying and Merchandising roles, retailers employ people within the following disciplines: Property, Warehouse, Distribution Wholesale, Health and Safety, Marketing, Human Resources, Training, Resourcing, Facilities, IT, Graduates, Accounts, Finance, and many more areas.

If you think that retail is for you, take a chance and scan the latest classified ads both online and in newspapers for vacancies and see what would suit you. Recognize your skills and apply for the job opportunities that are at the right level for your experience. This way, you will maximize your job hunting time.

Retail Industry Support

There are also careers and businesses that are not directly affiliated with a retail company but have strong business relations with such. These jobs earn by providing products and services that retail companies need to push their success further.

• Garment Technology

As a Garment Technologist, you will build strong links with suppliers all across the world that will guarantee you are sourcing the most cost-effective materials. Among your activities include visiting suppliers, reviewing quality, converting patterns, understanding textile technology, and understanding designer's requirements; all of which are vital to become successful in this field.

The roles are very specialized and most candidates enter the market with a relevant degree or qualification that will help in their transition to the working environment.

• Product Design

Designing within the retail market is something that is extremely attractive. Jobs range from furniture designers to fashion designers. Creating product ranges, molding the future trends and exhibiting creations is unbelievably pressurized but highly rewarding. Fashion shows, exhibits, and being employed by the top retailers are the aspirations for every designer but the majority of the work is slightly less glamorous, although just as important.

The majority of designers work independently from retailers and will visit the chains with their portfolio. Impressing Buyers with your designs is key to winning contracts and there can be nothing more rewarding than seeing your original creation in a high street shop window.

To enter this market, qualifications can be useful. However, if you have the flair, desire, and passion, your creations could win you a place in the industry.