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Job description: Part-Time Retail
As a part-time worker in the retail industry, you can work at every level from managing the store to stacking the shelves. You could work 'in the front line' serving customers, or in some backroom role such as the warehouse. You could work for a massive national chain or a local independent shop.
It's worth checking out individual job profiles for the details, but common responsibilities are likely to include: dealing with customers and selling goods, handling payments, making sure that the goods are attractively displayed, offering advice and answering questions, managing stock availability, helping with special promotions, ordering stock and overseeing delivery.
The higher you go, the responsibilities increase and change. As a part-time manager, for example, you'd concern yourself with managing and motivating staff, making sure that your store or department meets sales targets, managing stock levels, analysing sales figures and forecasting future sales and dealing with takings.
Your job will also change according to the type of outlet you're working in. In a specialist store, for example a sports goods or computer store, you may need a level of specialist product knowledge.
You could also have tasks specific to the type of product the store sells, for example measuring and cutting fabric if it's a fabric store.
In smaller shops, say a local convenience store, your day-to-day jobs will be more varied than a large High Street outlet, and may include activities such as window display and receiving deliveries from suppliers.
Hours and Environment
The hours you'll work can vary greatly, depending on the organisation's needs and your own. After all, work-life balance may be your main motivation for working part-time.
You may be expected to work the equivalent of two and a half to three days, which could be either a full week over less hours, or full days.
Where you work will depend on your role, of course, and will be either store of office-based, or a mix of the two.
Skills and Interests
Again, these vary with your role. However, general qualities you'll need in retail include:
- The ability to work as part of a team
- Good communication and 'people' skills
- A strong commitment to customer service
- The ability to work under pressure and handle challenging situations
- Confidence, drive and enthusiasm
- Decision-making ability and a sense of responsibility
Entry
You don't need specific qualifications for retailing, although you will need to be competent in maths and IT. If you work in a specialist sector, say sports or computers, experience of working or playing would be also an advantage.
Generally, experience, aptitude and sheer passion are more important in retailing than pieces of paper. It would be helpful to have a good general education. Previous experience of working with the public would also be good.
Training
When you're working for a large retail chain, you are likely to be offered in-house training. This could include the chance to gain work-based qualifications, such as NVQ Level 2 in Retail Skills, Level 3 in Retail and Level 4 in Sales.
Structured graduate management training schemes usually last between 18 months and two years. Note that larger organisations will offer a programme of ongoing training throughout your retail career.
In addition to this,you will be expected to develop your skills on the job.
Opportunities
The retail sector employs around three million people, or 11% of the UK's workforce, with outlets the length and breadth of the country. The trend towards 24/7 shopping, modern lifestyles, demographic changes and the move towards flexible working all mean that part-time opportunities are likely to form an increasing proportion of new jobs created. Which goes for every level of the industry.
You'll find jobs advertised in both the local and national press, at Jobcentre Plus, on employers' own websites, in-store and on specialist recruitment websites.
Moving employers is always an option as skills are transferable, while you also have the opportunity to open your own outlet, and decide the opening hours to suit yourself - and your customers.
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
- Hourly rates for sales assistants vary from around £4 to £7 an hour.
- For managers, expect around £12-£14 an hour
You may also earn extra bonuses and commission for meeting sales targets.
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