Jobs in retail

If you're sold on the idea of a career in retail, you've got a variety of jobs to choose from.  From customer-facing roles to those behind the scenes, learn more about what jobs involve and discover which is right for you

Can I work in retail with no experience?

Yes, a number of  retail roles don't require any specific qualifications or experience. For example, you can gain entry-level positions and work your way up the ladder in roles such as:

• product picker (for online orders)
• personal shopper
• sales assistant
• shelf-stacker.

In fact, retail jobs are a great source of employment for students and graduates. With no previous experience, many opt for part-time or seasonal work in retail to give their finances a boost. This type of work is a good way to build experience in the sector.

Gain an overview of the retail sector in the UK.

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What are the highest paying jobs in retail?

If you're focused on earning potential you might struggle to find salaries that rival other sectors. That said, retail wages might surprise you. If you're starting out on a graduate scheme you could earn between £29,000 and £50,500 - Aldi pays wages at the top end of this scale.

 It's no surprise, however, that the highest-paying retail jobs are rarely entry-level positions. The biggest salaries are attached to more senior roles that require significant experience, for example jobs in:

• buying
• logistics
• merchandising
• store/area management
• supply chain.

Which retailers pay the most?

According to a Retail Gazette round-up in early 2025, the following organisations top the list of the biggest hourly-pay rates:

• Aldi
• Lidl
• B&Q
• Marks & Spencer
• John Lewis/Waitrose
• Tesco
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• Co-Op
• Curry's
• Pets at Home
• Primark.

What retail jobs are available?

Customer facing roles

Antiques dealer

Buying and selling old objects and collectors' items such as jewellery, art, furniture and China, you'll research the identity and value of objects, buy items from auctions, markets and private owners and sell these to the public.

Short courses, a diploma or a degree in subjects such as art history may prove useful. The majority of antiques dealers are self-employed, so you'll need:

• good business sense
• an eye for spotting treasure
• excellent negotiation skills.

Bookseller

You'll need a love of books, knowledge of the publishing market, good people skills and a keen business mind to succeed. You'll:

• advise on the variety of titles
• order, reserve and display stock
• process deliveries and returns
• help to organise book events, talks, signings, reading groups etc.
• liaise with publishers and their representatives.

A degree or HND in literature or business and management may increase your chances but isn't essential.

Starting salaries range from £14,000 to £17,000. At senior level you could earn £20,000 to £40,000.

Discover more about the role of a bookseller.

Car salesperson

Excellent communication skills and an aptitude for sales and negotiation are required as you'll work for a dealership selling new or used cars to customers.

Test drives, working out finance and completing paperwork are all features of the job. You'll have to meet sales targets, which can add an element of pressure to the role and you'll usually operate on a base salary and boost your earnings through commission.

You don't need a degree, but employers expect sales experience, knowledge of cars and a driving licence. You can also get into this job via an apprenticeship.

Commercial art gallery manager

Responsible for the commercial and artistic success of a gallery you'll:

• communicate directly with artists and dealers
• select art and artists to enhance the gallery's reputation
• manage the gallery’s sales and marketing activities
• curate shows
• develop client lists
• bring in money from the sales of artwork.

You may need to start out as a gallery assistant to gain experience. This role usually commands £16,000 to £19,000. However, gallery managers can earn £25,000 to £40,000, whereas directors can earn £60,000.

Find out more about working as a commercial art gallery manager.

Customer service manager

This retail job is about putting the needs of the customer first. You'll promote excellent customer service throughout the organisation by helping develop policies, measuring satisfaction, managing a team of staff and handling customer enquiries face-to-face. Discover 5 skills you'll gain working in customer service.

While open to all graduates, some employers prefer candidates from disciplines relevant to their sector, such as retail or hospitality.

Trainee starting salaries range from £21,000 to £28,000. With experience you can earn £30,000-£45,000

Learn more about what to expect as customer service manager.

Dispensing optician

You'll fit and sell glasses and other optical aids to adults and children, working from optometrists' and ophthalmologists' prescriptions. You'll advise customers on lenses and frames, including how to wear and care for them.

You'll need to pass a three-year course in ophthalmic dispensing at a training institution approved by the General Optical Council (GOC).

Starting salaries range from £18,000 to £25,000. You can earn up to £35,000 with experience.

Take a closer look at the qualifications you'll need to become a dispensing optician.

Florist

Designing and making floral bouquets for special occasions, you'll:

• advise customers on flower choices
• take orders
• design and make up floral arrangements
• coordinate deliveries.

You'll need attention to detail, excellent communication and customer service skills and most importantly, creative flair.

You can work your way up to becoming a florist from an entry-level position, take a college course to qualify or complete an apprenticeship.

Personal shopper

This involves advising customers on the products that meet their needs, with an end goal of making a sale.

You'll need strong product knowledge and the ability to reassure customers of your expertise. There are no set entry requirements, although some employers look for experience in dealing with customers. Qualifications in fashion or design may prove useful.

Store detective

Working within stores on the shop floor, this retail career requires:

• initiative
• a keen eye and attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to keep calm in difficult or stressful situations
• knowledge of public safety and security.

Tasks include:

• following or confronting shoppers (or staff) who behave suspiciously
• taking evidence from witnesses
• liaising with police
• writing reports
• giving evidence in court.

You can enter this field directly or via an apprenticeship, such as the Professional Security Operative Level 2 apprenticeship.

Retail management jobs

Retail/store manager

You'll manage the day-to-day running of stores or departments, maximise profits and minimise costs. You'll ensure that staff work towards targets and that customer care standards are met.

While open to all graduates, a HND or degree in accounting and finance, business, marketing or retail management may prove useful.

Salaries for assistant roles fall between £19,000 and £25,000. With just a few years of experience you can earn between £25,000 and £40,000.

You'll need skills in prioritising and planning workloads and motivating and leading a team.

To learn more about potential salaries see retail manager.

Area manager

Also known as a regional manager, you're responsible for the day-to-day operations, financial success and leadership of an organisation in a specific geographical location. Responsibilities include:

• recruiting staff
• setting sales, turnover and profit targets
• motivating staff and providing training and development opportunities
• identifying areas of development/improvement within your area
• travelling between stores in your remit.

Salaries are heavily influenced by location, size of organisation and level of experience. Area managers of large shops or supermarket chains can earn £40,000 to £80,000. However, average salaries usually fall between £30,000 and £50,000.

Ecommerce manager

In this retail role you'll oversee the advertisement and sale of products and services on the internet. Tasks include:

• researching competitors and market trends
• managing website content and creating product listings
• ensuring the website is optimised and user friendly
• monitoring web traffic and sales
• working with technical and marketing teams (web developers, social media managers etc.)
• managing ecommerce inventory and budgets.

You can work your way up, so a degree isn't always necessary, but courses in business management, digital marketing or retail management could give you an edge.

Starting salaries typically fall around the £25,000 mark, but with extensive experience you could earn in the region of £50,000 to £60,000.

Discover how to get a job in ecommerce.

Head office roles

Logistics and distribution manager

Not all retail careers are confined to the shop floor. As a logistics and distribution manager you can work in offices, warehouses, or stockrooms, organising the storage, distribution and delivery of goods.

Understanding the whole supply chain is important to coordinate it effectively. You'll also need excellent time management, commercial awareness, and numerical skills.

Thanks to the growth of internet retailing, there is an increasing demand for logistics and supply chain managers.

Read more about the role of a logistics and distribution manager and find out why you should consider a career in logistics and supply chain management.

Procurement manager

You'll buy the best quality equipment, goods and services, at the most competitive prices, to enable a company to operate.

Salaries start at £25,958. While open to all graduates, large retail stores and wholesale distribution centres prefer applicants who have completed a degree with a business emphasis.

To find out more about career prospects see procurement manager.

Retail buyer

Usually based within an organisation's head office, you'll be responsible for planning and selecting a range of products to sell in stores and reviewing existing items to ensure products remain competitive. The job requires strong analytical and numerical skills, as well as creative flair.

A retail or business-based degree will increase your chances of success. Graduate programmes are open to those who have secured a 2:2 or above. Starting salaries for junior buyers range from £18,000 to £25,000.

For further information on qualifications and skills see retail buyer, and discover how to get into buying and merchandising.

Retail merchandiser

Working closely with buyers, retail merchandisers predict up-and-coming sales trends to ensure maximum profitability. You'll ensure that products appear in the right store, or on a website, at the appropriate time and in the correct quantities.

While open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects will help:

• accountancy or finance
• business
• economics
• mathematics
• retail management.

Starting salaries for assistant merchandisers range from £16,000 to £18,000, rising to £22,000 with experience.

Take a look at what to expect as a retail merchandiser.

Visual merchandiser

Sometimes known as window dressers, visual merchandisers develop, deliver and communicate visual concepts and strategies to promote retail brands, products and services in-store, in catalogues or online.

You'll create eye-catching displays using your creative flair, imagination and eye for design, colour and style.

Useful subjects of study include:

• fashion design
• surface pattern design
• textiles.

Assistant salaries range between £20,000 and £28,000.

To find out more about salary expectations, see visual merchandiser.

Warehouse manager

Working hours include early starts, late finishes, weekends and shifts as you oversee the efficient receipt, storage and dispatch of goods.

It’s often advantageous to study subjects such as:

• business and information systems
• management and economics
• retail management
• supply chain management
• transport, distribution and logistics.

Salaries for graduate schemes in warehouse management range from £21,000 to £28,000.

Gain an insight into the role of a warehouse manager.

Find out more

• Gain an insight into the retail industry.
• Find out about retail graduate schemes.
• Learn more about retail apprenticeships.