BEYOND THE SHOP FLOOR: RETAIL CAREERS 

If you think a job in retail is just stacking shelves, think again. It’s a diverse and vibrant employment sector with a wide range of roles, and one of the best industries for fast progression from entry-level to management.

In the Liverpool City Region, the retail sector is a vital engine for the local economy. A launchpad for long-term, fulfilling careers, retail offers many employee benefits and clear pathways for professional progression, including robust, comprehensive management training programmes. 

Why choose retail?

Many people associate retail employment with entry-level, temporary or part-time jobs. Retail offers many seasonal and flexible roles that suit a large share of workers. However, the sector also offers aspirational careers with stability thanks to many clear, structured progression routes. For a great career in retail, you’ll need to develop:

• Financial literacy: Handling transactions and, for higher-level roles, understanding profits and margins.
• Ability to cope under pressure: A busy work environment means keeping calm and being a good team worker are essential skills
• Communication: Providing friendly customer service and helping resolve issues.

Retail is one of the few industries that values potential over a long list of qualifications. If you’re a natural problem-solver and are great with people, the sector could be perfect for you. Starting in an entry-level role, such as a retail or customer service assistant, will give you shop-floor experience. You can then research in-house training opportunities to develop your skills and prepare for a promotion. Retail is renowned for exemplary staff training programmes, particularly among larger employers. Let’s explore two of them:

Spotlight: The Aldi Apprenticeship Pathway

Aldi, a major employer in the Liverpool City Region, is one of the stand-out companies for staff development. It has developed an excellent apprenticeship programme to recruit new staff who want to build long-term careers. Not only do staff acquire the skills to perform their jobs effectively, but they also earn a Level 2 apprenticeship which is recognised across the industry. Most apprentices are offered permanent positions upon completing their training. 

The Aldi apprenticeship programme offers training across three key areas:

• Store apprenticeships: Following either the Aldi Career Starter or Store Management pathway, you’ll gain experience acting as the face of the Aldi shopping experience. The Career Starter apprenticeship is ideal for anyone without formal qualifications, as it has no entry requirements. Candidates complete a level 2 retail apprenticeship. Meanwhile, individuals who already hold GCSEs in Maths and English at grades 4-9 can enrol on the Store Management pathway, which will see them complete the level 2 apprenticeship and then progress to the level 3 team leader apprenticeship.
• Warehouse apprenticeships: This one-year programme provides an in-depth understanding of how products move from supplier to store. On this pathway, candidates work towards the Level 2 supply chain warehouse operative qualification and are offered a permanent role upon successful completion of their training.

• Driver apprenticeships: For those keen on a driving career, Aldi’s driver apprenticeship gets you your category C+E licence, leading to a permanent driving position.

Gaining a qualification isn’t the only benefit; Aldi offers competitive salaries, and right now is the only retail company to offer its employees paid breaks. Whether you’re working in the warehouse or on the shop floor, Aldi provides the training and progression opportunities to turn your potential into a retail career success story.

For more information about the Aldi apprenticeship and details on how to apply, take a look at:

https://www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/early-careers/apprenticeships

Spotlight: The John Lewis Partnership

At The John Lewis Partnership, employees aren’t just employees; they’re actual partners. This means every team member owns a stake in the business, giving them a say in how the company is run and a share of the profits. The organisation offers a diverse range of employment opportunities, with retail specialisms available depending on an individual’s skills and career goals. These include: 

• Customer service: For those who are passionate about creating high-quality experiences and helping customers within the shop.
• Visual merchandising: For the creatives who want to shape the visual experience of the store, using design and presentation skills to influence how customers shop.
• Stock control & logistics: For detail-oriented problem solvers who help keep the business running smoothly.

The John Lewis Partnership offers a range of apprenticeships for school leavers and other applicants, as well as current staff who want to progress, covering areas such as customer service, retail operations, technology, finance, and leadership. With support from mentors and clear progression routes, apprentices build confidence, gain valuable experience, and move into higher or long-term roles within the business.

You can keep up to date with local opportunities at John Lewis Partnership jobs

If working for a large retailer with the benefits of well-structured career pathways, it’s worth keeping an eye on the careers and job sections of their websites. You can also search for retail opportunities on the Be More apprenticeship vacancy page and on the LCR Jobs page.

Whilst a career in retail promises personal growth and rewards, if you choose this pathway, you’ll also be part of a regional success story. The retail and tourism sectors are closely linked and together are among the strongest contributors to the Liverpool City Region’s economy.