Jobs and Careers Summer 2023 - 82

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be less stringent than in other industries
- some companies will accept a 2:2
degree rather than a 2:1, for example.
A degree in business management or
marketing is a bonus, but a passion
for retail, leadership skills, creative
thinking and organisational skills are
most important.
Whether you're keen to interact with
customers, lead a team to success or
get creative about marketing, retail
could have something in store for you.
Here are some of the roles that might
appeal to you.
Buyer or merchandiser
A buyer sources goods for the stores to
stock, following trends and analysing
buying habits, while a merchandiser
calculates how many units will be bought
by customers, and over what period.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
Applicants often have business or retail
qualifications or degrees, although it is
possible to work your way up through
in-house training.
How much can I earn? Junior buyers start
at £18,000, rising as high as £70,000 with
experience. In merchandising, salaries
range from £16,000 to £60,000.
Sales adviser
Working as a sales adviser - which can
mean anything from operating a till to
offering expert advice to customers - will
give you valuable skills and experience.
Many roles are part-time so they can fit
around other commitments, such as
family or education. However, shifts may
be unsociable, depending on the store.
Vacancies are high, with sales assistants
and product managers most in demand
" A placement is the ideal route
into a retail career "
Hannah Perry is an Assistant Merchandiser
for fashion and homeware retailer Matalan
The family feel of Matalan enticed me to apply for my first role - both
the HR and merchandising teams were friendly and encouraging
throughout the application process. I started as a placement trainee
assistant merchandiser in a year-long programme between my second
and final years of university.
Matalan encourages personal development through six-monthly reviews and
career path checklists, to ensure you're growing and meeting people throughout
the business. There are also masterclasses on topics like fabrics, packaging and
leadership, giving insight into all business areas.
I'd recommend the placement route into a retail career, because it gives the
opportunity to apply everything learnt at university. It allowed me to experience
the role and company before graduating, confirming that I wanted to continue
my career with Matalan.
My role can be challenging at times, due to the planning involved. With events
like Christmas, planning begins a year in advance, and requires constant
awareness of the product - from design to manufacture, shipment,
allocation and sales. I love the problem-solving element, as it allows
me to constantly find solutions to issues as they arise, and work as
part of a team, making every day different and exciting.
82 /// JOBS & CAREERS /// jobsandcareersmag.com
What skills and qualifications do I need?
Most positions don't require formal
qualifications, but good communication
skills are key. You'll need a friendly,
helpful demeanour, and to be efficient
and capable. You should be unflappable
and able to handle customers' demands.
How much can I earn? Salaries start at
around the national living wage (currently
£10.42 an hour for over-23s) and increase
with experience. You may also earn
commission and bonuses on top, and
get employee discounts.
Product designer
or developer
Developers oversee the conception,
creation and packaging of products, while
designers generate ideas for products
and marketing. In either role, you may be
working on completely new products or
improving on ones already for sale.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
Both roles require degrees - ideally in
marketing or business for developers, and
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Jobs and Careers Summer 2023

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