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Industry Profile -- by Mark Sproxton and Tom Babin
Employment in this industry includes:
Many employment opportunities and continual change are two constants in the retail industry. Whether those jobs are in large department stores, or a mom and pop operation, chances are the majority of the new positions require entry level workers with minimal skills. That description in itself sums up the good and the bad about the industry. On one hand, retail is a great industry to develop workplace skills. On the other hand, retail is most often viewed as a place to get work until a "real" job is found. While this perception may not change for a few years, those in the industry are trying to make adjustments.
"Some forward thinking retailers are changing that by creating a career path within the company so it doesn't have to be a dead-end position," said Randy Scotland, Vice President of Communications for the Retail Council of Canada. "Some are putting in incentive programs and benefits that weren't traditionally awarded to part-time employees. Some employers are offering shares in the company. That increases commitment to the job."
While the benefits of working in the retail industry may change with time, Scotland said the basic abilities required will remain the same regardless if you're looking at an entry-level, or management-level position. That skill set includes being able to deal effectively with people and understanding what you say and how you say it will have an affect on customers. Having a flexible schedule and being able to adapt to new technology will also help ensure success in this industry.
Another change being made in the industry includes a focus on developing retail-specific educational opportunities. Recently Ryerson Polytechnic University in Ontario added a Bachelor of Commerce in retail management as an area of study. The University of Alberta also offers a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in retailing. "And more and more colleges are looking at certificate or degree programs needed to go into a management stream," Scotland said.
The advent of electronic shopping will also create more, and new, retail jobs, he added. Those with specialized skills in computers, marketing, and data mining will be able to find careers in the retail industry to go along with the many standard retail positions including:
- Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks
This is one of the biggest employers in Alberta, giving jobs to over 64,000 people, according Human Resources Development Canada. Retail salespeople are responsible for front-line customer service. They must meet and interact with customers in a retail store, so they must be knowledgable about the product they are selling. They must also have good people skills, as the biggest part of their job is working with customers. Retail salespeople work shift-work, and the number of hours they get changes seasonally, Christmas, for example, is a busier time for retailers than the rest of the year. Often these jobs are entry-level, so positions open up constantly as people move on. Pay can range from minimum wage up to $11.20 an hour, depending on experience or education. Advancement in the industry is sometimes based on secondary or post secondary education experience, but is most often based on job performance.
Stock personnel
Stock personnel can work in any retail outlet, from grocery to hardware stores. Their basic duties are keeping shelves filled with merchandise, customer service, tracking, shipping and receiving. Stock personnel must be able to lift heavy boxes, run stocking machines like fork-lifts and understand technology used to track stock, though much can be learned on the job. There are plenty of stock jobs available in Alberta, and are increasing with the popularity of warehouse retail outlets, but competition for them is intense. Retail manager
Retail managers oversee the operation of retail stores. As well as having the people skills to succeed in retail, managers must also have good organization and managing skills. Most retail managers work their way up from clerk or salesperson positions, but a high school diploma is usually a requirement, and for some businesses, a university degree may be required. Retail managers normally earn between $11 and $15 an hour, but their hours can be odd and vary with the seasons. Sales, Marketing and Advertising Managers
These are the people who try to get customers to buy merchandise. Sales managers normally oversee sales personnel, and marketing and advertising managers plan sales, promotions and advertising. These positions require post-secondary education, usually a degree in business, marketing or PR, and experience in a related field is important as well. Pay for these jobs is above average, and so is competition to get them. Buyers
Buyers are responsible for just that: buying merchandise for resale in retail stores. For more information about buyers, see the feature article in this months issue of nextSteps.
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