Retail

Understanding Retail

The retail industry is all about selling things to people, in shops or online. This could be anything from food and clothes to computers and furniture.

People who work in shops help customers find what they need, use the tills to take payments, keep track of things to sell, and sometimes even help make the shop look nice. It’s a busy job where being friendly and helpful is very important.

Working in a shop can be fun because there are lots of different jobs you can do, and you can work hours that fit your timetable. You’ll learn new skills and get to help people find things they need, whether it’s clothes, food, or pet supplies.

Facts and figures

Retail is the second biggest industry in the West of England. You can find lots of shops in places like the city centres and shopping centres.

These big centres are also helped by smaller local shopping centres and retail parks nearby.

*Data from October 2023 to September 2024

Entry level jobs posted*

£0

Average salary for shop assistant*

£0

Average salary for Customer Service Advisor*

Jobs You Can Find in Retail

Here are some jobs you could do. Click the pictures below to know more about each job

Cashier

Helps customers pay for their shopping at the checkout. They also help with self-checkout machines and can give customers bags.

Shelf Stacker

Unpacks new items, checks them, and puts them in the store’s stockroom.

Customer Service

Answers questions, shows customers where things are, and helps them find what they need.

Display Assistant

Puts products on shelves so they look tidy and are easy to find. They also make window displays look nice or arrange clothes in a charity shop.

Warehouse Opperative

Helps pack and organise products in a storage area. They make sure everything is ready before it goes to the shop.

Online Order Picker

Finds and packs products that people order online, getting them ready for delivery.

Cleaner

Keeps the store clean, tidy, and safe for customers.

Dressing Room Assistant

Helps customers in the changing rooms by giving them clothes to try on and keeping the area clean and tidy.

Trolley Assistant

Helps collect shopping trolleys from the car park and brings them back to the store. They make sure there are enough trolleys for customers to use.

Butcher

Prepares and sells meat, and makes meat products like sausages, burgers, and pies.

Career Progression in Retail

For many retail jobs, you don't need special qualifications, but there are some things you might need to do first. These can include:

Filling in an application form
Having an interview where you talk about what you can do
Sometimes having some work experience to show you know how to do the job

Some jobs also want you to be friendly, helpful, and ready to learn new things.

Top skills requested by retail employers

Skills for retail jobs can be split into two types: ‘general’ skills, ‘specialist’ skills and 'transferable' skills.

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General skills

General skills are helpful in many different jobs and are needed by most employers.

Communications
Talking and listening to share information.

Customer Service
Helping customers and making sure they are happy.

Teamwork
Working together to get things done.

Problem-Solving Skills
Finding answers when things go wrong and making things better.

Specialised Skills

Specialist skills are more specific to retail jobs.

Selling Techniques
Helping customers buy more items.

Attention to detail
Checking work to avoid mistakes.

Warehousing
Keeping stock organised and tidy.

Product Knowledge
Knowing products and their uses.

Transferrable Skills

Transferable skills are general skills, like talking to people or working in a team, that can be used in many different jobs.

Adaptability
Handling changes, for example, working with new products or during busy times.

Handling Pressure
Staying calm when it's busy or when a customer is upset.

Organisation
Keeping track of tasks, stock and plans.
These skills can help you in many areas, from offices to hospitality or healthcare.

WE Work for Everyone

WE Work for Everyone is a free program for people in the West of England region. It helps people with a learning disability, learning difficulty, or autism find paid work.

Our friendly team can help you to:

Find a job that is right for you
Get training and try out work placements
Create a CV and practice for interviews
Borrow a computer if you need one

To receive support you will need to:

Be over 16 years old
Not be in employment
Have a learning difficulty or be autistic (a formal diagnosis is not essential)
Live in the West of England (Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset or South Gloucestershire)

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