Retail

Retail is the selling of goods directly to the customer from food to fashion. Whilst the retail sector is undergoing significant change, it remains an area of large employment.

Picture of a shop assistant arranging a t-shirt rack
Retail sector

Facts and figures

Retail is the second largest sector in the West of England. Concentrations of retail can be found across the region focused on the City Centres of Bristol and Bath, and Cribbs Causeway shopping centre. These centres are supported by local shopping centres and retail parks.

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Businesses
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Employee jobs
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Average earnings
Careers in retail

Career progression

There are a wide range of entry level jobs across the retail sector these include:

  • Sales and Retail Assistants – Minimum wage – Level 2
  • Storage Occupations – Minimum wage – Level 1
  • Cashiers or check-out operatives – Minimum wage – Level 2
  • Shelf Fillers – Minimum wage – Level 1
  • Customer Service – Minimum wage - Level 2

Learn more about career 'levels' in our FAQs.

Top skills requested by retail employers

Skills for the retail jobs can be split between ‘general’ skills and ‘specialist’ skill. General are transferrable between sectors and sought by most employers, whilst specialist skills are more focused on the sector.

General skills
  • Customer Service
  • Communication
  • Sales
  • Management
  • Detail Orientated
  • Enthusiasm
Specialist skills
  • Warehousing
  • Key Performance Indicators
  • Product Knowledge
  • Merchandising
  • Selling Techniques
  • Visual Merchandising
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Green jobs

Green retail

Many retailers are working to become more sustainable with reduced packaging, zero waste stores and clothing swap shops.  There has been a rise in ‘green jobs’ within retail including:

  • Sustainability manager
  • Green Marketing Lead
  • Environment Policy Manager

Shelves with coffee bags and plants
Image credit: Ceyda Ciftci, Unsplash