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Retail Management

Retail Management encompasses any business or individual involved in selling products or services directly to the consumer. The sector interacts with other sectors including buying, purchasing and procurement / supply chain, marketing, transport and logistics and customer service.   

The retail sector is significant in the UK economy, accounting for 2.84 million jobs (down from 3.1 million jobs in 2020) and representing 10% of all jobs in the British economy, with a sales value of £480 billion in 2024-25 according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).  This figure includes a diverse range of businesses, including small one-person operations to £multi-billion large global giants. Many well-known retailers are listed in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers including Aldi, Lidl, Marks & Spencer and Tesco.  

Some of the core areas of work within retail include the following, see further detail on these sub-sectors in Retail Week.  

  • Fashion and Beauty – including clothing & footwear and beauty from high street chains to luxury brands.
  • Food and Grocery – including major supermarket chains, convenience stores and discount retailers.
  • Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) – e.g. food, beverages, toiletries and household goods.
  • Home and Lifestyle – e.g. homewares, furnishings and appliances, electronics, books and gifts.
  • Department Stores – selling a variety of products across multiple categories.
  • Retail Services – support services to the retail sector including marketing, logistics and technology.
  • E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet, including mobile apps, websites and social media. It accounts for 26.5% of the total retail market according to the Office of National Statistics and is a sector which has experienced considerable growth, particularly during the Covid pandemic. Key players include Amazon UK, eBay, Asos, Currys PC World, Argos and food giants such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco.    

Most graduate schemes in retail are open to graduates from all disciplines. These will involve some rotational experience on the shop floor to help new employees understand the company’s culture and customer base. Lucrative graduate starting salaries of between £40-£50,000 are offered by ALDI and Lidl, so there are excellent rewards on offer. University of Exeter graduates have progressed to retailers such as Amazon, Harrods, John Lewis and Vodafone among many others, demonstrating the diversity of potential recruiters in the retail sector. 

You can find further information an insights on the sector by following the links below: 

  • Retail manager job profile | Prospects.ac.uk.
  • Target Jobs offers careers advice on  Retail and Sales.
  • Rethink Retail - information and advice on starting a career in retail from the BRC.
  • Retail Sector Statistics from the Office for National Statistics.
  • Developing employability in the retail sector – blog article reviewing the experience of working in retail (University of Exeter Career Zone).
  • Drapers - digital periodical showcasing sub-sector news and trends in the fashion industry, including retail developments.
  • Kantar Insights - leading market research firm insights in trends in the retail sector and retail behaviours.
  • Marketing Week - industry digital periodical providing information on areas of advertising (brand management), PR, marketing, strategy, trends, news, commentary and jobs. 
  • Retail Analysis by IGD - review of three hundred UK retailers, analysing their strategic and operational behaviours. 
  • Retail Week - digital periodical with sector news, market data, analysis and jobs.
  • Talking Retail- digital periodical showcasing sub-sector news and trends specifically pertaining to UK convenience and independent grocery retailers. 
  • The Grocer - digital periodical showcasing sub-sector news and trends in fast moving consumer goods. 
  • The Retail Gazette – industry publication exploring news items in the retail sector. 
  • TRB - The Retail Bulletin - industry periodical providing retail sector news 

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here. These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

  • Adaptability: flexibility to adapt to changing work environments and priorities. This sector is particularly noted for shift pattern work in parts of the sector. 
  • Attention to detail: meticulousness and accuracy in tasks. 
  • Cash handling: proficiency in handling cash and processing payments accurately. 
  • Excellent customer service: ability to interact with customers professionally, courteously, and effectively. 
  • Inventory management: knowledge of stock control and inventory management systems. 
  • IT skills: proficiency in using retail software and technology; strong Excel skills.
  • Merchandising skills: understanding of product placement, display, and visual merchandising techniques.
  • Problem-solving: ability to identify and resolve issues efficiently and effectively. 
  • Product knowledge: understanding of the products or services offered by the retailer. 
  • Sales techniques: ability to persuade and influence customers to make purchases.
  • Strong communication skills: clear and concise communication, both verbal and written.
  • Teamwork: ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues to achieve shared goals.
  • Time management: ability to prioritise tasks and manage time efficiently.  

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.   

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in: 

Volunteering 

 University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below, you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

The websites below hold directories which can be a helpful place to start, when researching potential organisations of interest and congruent values.   

Finding part-time work

  • Visit our casual jobs page. 
  • Handshake (filter ‘part-time’ and by your location).  
  • General job sites such as LinkedIn jobs, Find a Job or Indeed (filter on “part-time” and “Exeter”).  
  • Identify and call local businesses in your local area with your CV to ask about part-time jobs. 
  • Attend the part-time/casual at Streatham Campus and/or Penryn Campus.   

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page.

Graduate Schemes 

Internships 

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad. 

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

Advice 

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.    

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

Research Centres  

  • IGD – research organisation gathering commercial insight and social impact of retail. 
  • Oxford Institute of Retail Management – research initiative of Saïd Business School attached to University of Oxford.
  • The Retail Institute – Research centre attached to Leeds Beckett University  

Events 

Recruitment fairs, conventions, open days, talks, and social events give insights and opportunities to make contacts. Make the most of the opportunity to meet with employers and experienced sector professionals to learn about job opportunities and industry knowledge and to get inspiration for pathways to pursue.