Misconceptions About Retail

Most people interact with retailers at least once a day during their daily shopping, which means that most people think they know more about the business. There is a lot of misinformation about the retail industry, and it’s important that industry leaders tell the story.

There are only in-store jobs

  • Consumer goods are the subject of a long and long journey before they finally reach the market – and retailers play a key role in this. Trading companies are large, complex organizations with many departments working on different aspects of product development. There are various functions such as sales, marketing, finance, supply chain and personnel, just to name a few. With so many sectors and positions to choose from, finding your career in retail is easy.

No growth opportunities

  • Retail companies are continuously expanding. As they get older, they need more resources and new employees to support the business and meet the growing demands of consumers. Therefore, this area is continuously being promoted and there are enormous growth opportunities for current and future employees. In addition, multiple levels of administration are needed to effectively manage a large retail organization. In addition, each department of the organization has its own supervisors and internal administration. With all these potential leadership positions within a company, there is enough scope to grow and the risk of stagnating too long in your career is low.

It is boring

  • The digital revolution has dramatically impacted retail in North America. The way consumers shop, search for product information, and interact with advertising has changed dramatically since the last decade. In recognition of this change, consumer goods companies are undergoing significant organizational restructuring to adapt to these changes. This constant development makes the retail industry incredibly interesting. The way retailers have done business in the past is very different from the way they are run now. In the midst of these innovations, they must diversify and develop their skills in new areas. In short, a career in retail will face an unprecedented challenge every day.

It will not help you stand out as a pro

  • Rather the opposite! The retail experience will give you a competitive edge in the job market. A career in retail can teach you the basics of running a business, from strategic thinking to purchasing. You can also gain important skills such as negotiation, project management, cross-functional work, strategic thinking, and above all, leadership. During your professional efforts, you will find that these skills are highly transferable, providing you with what you need to be a successful business leader.

You cannot build a career in retail

  • While retail is often associated with minimum wages, temporary jobs for students and desperation, the truth is that many stores are anxious to promote from within. Management, computers, marketing, and other positions must all be occupied, and most business owners prefer to fill these positions with people who have worked with clients in their field. In addition, customer service and team building, which are so important in a retail environment, are excellent training for a variety of careers.

It does not matter to retailers

  • Of course there are sales associates in every industry that fit into their stereotype, but believing that all sales associates are selfless and bored is not correct. It’s true that employees in many stores do not provide excellent customer service, but that’s usually not the case because they’re lazy. In retail stores, there is often a shortage of staff as managers reduce costs by putting the minimum number of employees on the floor. In addition, some employees were ordered to sell a particular brand or encourage customers to sign up for credit cards or loyalty programs. Many times managements wishes are placed above the needs of customers and staff.

Retail Employees Are Young and Poorly Educated

  • While many retail jobs are available to students, the average age of a retail worker is 37 years. Studies have shown that the majority of year-round retailers contribute a significant portion of family income. In addition, nearly one-third of retailers have attended college and 15% have at least a bachelor’s degree. These educated workers have additional skills in communication, organization and technology that increase value for the company.