Retail, sales and customer services

Retailing takes place via a huge range of outlets, including food stores (such as supermarkets and convenience stores), non-food stores (such as department stores), and non-store retailing (such as mail order and e-commerce).

There is also a huge range of careers available to graduates, from specialised roles such as buying and merchandising to general store management as well as business support functions like HR and finance.

Graduate training programmes and fast-track management training programmes are common and a good way for ambitious graduates to progress rapidly. Many will offer you a taste of different roles before you decide which is the best career path.

Retail is a career which needs a strong customer service ethic, entrepreneurial ability and problem-solving talent. You’ll also need good communication, organisation and planning skills. If you’ve got what it takes you can expect to be given early responsiblity and to be well rewarded.

• Retail, sales and customer services FAQs: everything you need to know about getting a job in retail, sales and customer services