Labour Market Information

Retail

Retail is about selling products and services to customers. This can be in a traditional way over the shop counter, via a Call Centre or the internet.

Did You Know?

• By 2009 more people will work in retailing than manufacturing.
• Over a quarter of a million of new jobs are expected in the sector through to 2012.
• In 2004 UK retail sales were approximately £259.3 Billion.
• The retail sector accounts for 10-12% of overall employment in the UK.
• Tesco plc is the largest UK retailer employing 237,000 people.
• The retail sector relies heavily on young people (under 25) for a workforce.
• More people are buying on line (via the Internet) as the use of broadband increases.

Retail is one of the fastest growing sectors across the UK and also in the Humber area.

Hull has more retail businesses than North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire put together. The regeneration of Hull’s city centre means around 5,500 new jobs in retail will be created in the city over the next 2 to 3 years.

There are 9 distinct career areas within the retail sector: Customer Service; Product Experts; Stock Management; Sourcing; Merchandising; Management; Developing People; Finance and Operations.

Jobs 4 U?

Market Trader

Auctioneer

£12,000 initially

Retail Manager

£12,500-£65,000

Customer Service Assistant

£9,000

Customer Service Manager (Trainee)

£12-£14,000

• www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/
  Click on jobs4U careers database to find out more about jobs in the retail industry
• www.fasttomato.com
• www.skillsmartretail.com
  Link to Careers in Retail and then Retail Employment to find out more about the 9 specific career areas within the retail sector.