Qualifications
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, an HND or degree in the following subjects may increase your chances:
accounting and finance;
business studies;
fashion management;
marketing;
retail management.
However, there may be exceptions where the retailer is a specialist in its field and a more relevant HND or degree may be preferred.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not usually required, although a proportion of retail managers do undertake relevant postgraduate study. Search for postgraduate courses in retail management.
Entry without an HND or degree is possible.
Retailers look for certain personal qualities during the recruitment process, such as people skills, confidence, enthusiasm and good customer service values. These traits tend to be favoured over academic qualifications.
Many companies expect applicants to have some retail experience whether acquired through part-time or holiday work. Alternatively, larger retailers offer placements for students, which frequently lead to job offers.