W orking in retail is a service role, but there are a lot more people behind the scenes than you may realise. As well as serving shoppers directly, many more talents are needed to run a busy and successful store. Sales adviser Working as a sales adviser is a great start to a career in retail as it will give you valuable skills and experience. The role can vary from manning a till to giving advice about products. Your main task is to serve customers and make sure they're happy, so great communication skills are key. Many stores are now open 12 hours a day or more, so shift work is common. More than half the people in this sector are part-time, and flexible hours mean students and parents can find work to fit in around other commitments. Another benefit is the staff discounts some stores offer their employees. How much can I earn? Salaries start around the minimum wage and increase with experience; you may also earn commission and bonuses based on sales figures. Retail manager The role here is to run a store - physical or online - as efficiently and SHOP TACTICS THERE'S MORE TO WORKING IN RETAIL THAN STANDING BEHIND A TILL. HERE ARE SOME EXCITING OPTIONS IN THIS THRIVING SECTOR 1 7 6 /// J O B S & C A R E E R S 176 J&C JC17 Retail Roles jw.indd 176 17/11/2017 20:28