As the retail industry continues to experience fundamental change, including round-the-clock opening times and online shopping, it is becoming an increasingly popular choice among graduates, especially those who are after a lot of early responsibility and quick promotion. Increasingly, retail organisations are offering their customers a greater range of services and incentives to retain their custom and attract new ones. In addition to loyalty card schemes the leading players in the sector can now provide banking and insurance services to strengthen further their relationship with their established customer base.

This growth in customer services has meant that companies are placing an even greater emphasis on recruitment and training than ever before. The importance of attracting strong graduates to ensure an excellent level of customer service and keep ahead of any competitors has meant that several companies have introduced fast track management training programmes. Graduates can reach managerial status after just a few years, having gained a comprehensive foundation of skills by experiencing work across several different business areas such as buying, marketing, logistics and personnel.

Individuals might find themselves running a department or even an entire store or working at an organisation’s Head Office in one of a number of different departments, such as Buying, Marketing and Personnel. There may also be opportunities to move into these functions later, after a few years’ experience in store management.