3 answers
Rachel
Student
Schaumburg, Illinois
1
Question
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What are the steps to become a retailer
I am in grade 12+ and I really like to go into retail # store #business
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3 answers
Madi T
Corporate Communications
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Madi’s Answer
Hi Rachel! I spent a few years working for Saks Fifth Avenue in their corporate offices. If you want to go into retail, most people start by applying directly to a store. I would look at the websites for your favorite retailers and see if anyone is hiring near you. When you interview, be sure to tell them why you are interested in their store especially and what you like about helping customers. Be sure to also be clear about your availability, as many stores release weekly shift schedules and prefer people with flexible, open schedules.
From there, many people stay in the store to become a manager, or they may move to the store's corporate headquarters to help with other types of jobs that are not directly in the store (such as finance, merchandising, marketing, communications, legal, etc.).
Becoming a retailer is a little bit different. You will need to consider whether you have a physical or online store, decide what you are selling, procure your inventory, then find customers to sell to.
Best of luck!
From there, many people stay in the store to become a manager, or they may move to the store's corporate headquarters to help with other types of jobs that are not directly in the store (such as finance, merchandising, marketing, communications, legal, etc.).
Becoming a retailer is a little bit different. You will need to consider whether you have a physical or online store, decide what you are selling, procure your inventory, then find customers to sell to.
Best of luck!
Jorge Chang
Engineering Manager
10
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
Jorge’s Answer
Hi Rachel, glad to hear you are interested in retail. You should try to "unpack" why you want to get into retail, as I see a hashtag on store and don't want to make any assumptions. Do you like talking to people in real life, and excited about providing great customer service? or the act of selling something? Or simply running a retail business? The three can potentially lead into different career paths.
On running a retail business, there are a few paths I can think of and you learn different things through each path. (or try both!)
a) Actually working at a retail store where you can learn about dealing with customers, inventory and product cycles.
B) Opening your own online retail business (e.g. etsy or Shopify) that you feel passionate about. You get to understand a lot about customer service, inventory as well, but on top of that, you get to be in charge of product development, branding and marketing!
On running a retail business, there are a few paths I can think of and you learn different things through each path. (or try both!)
a) Actually working at a retail store where you can learn about dealing with customers, inventory and product cycles.
B) Opening your own online retail business (e.g. etsy or Shopify) that you feel passionate about. You get to understand a lot about customer service, inventory as well, but on top of that, you get to be in charge of product development, branding and marketing!
Nicole White
M&A Integration
3
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Rachel! I would start with finding jobs that provide you with experience working with customers, managing cash and/or methods of payment (so much is digital now!), and doing those jobs well with a focus on what you're selling and who you're selling to, even if they're not yet the retail job that you are wanting (i.e. food service, local market). Ensure your manager thinks you've done a great job and will give a good recommendation.
Depending on what kind of retail you're interested in, retail jobs generally required excellent customer service, good knowledge of the goods / products being sold, ability to take and manage different forms of payment. You will need to be very comfortable talking with people you've never met, finding out what they need and helping them to find it, demonstrating that you are genuine and trustworthy, and patience for people / customers that may not always be pleasant to work with.
My first job was working at Carl's Jr. fast food restaurant. After two years there where I started as a counter person, was promoted to a Lead Person and then an Assistant Manager, I was also interested in working at a retail shop and saw it as a great next step. I learned quickly that many retail stores wanted retail experience, so I finally wrote a letter with my resume to help them understand that if I could work with customers, handle cash registers and cash management, and be promoted into management, I very capably could sell in a retail store. It worked and I got the job!
I hope this helps, and as always, think carefully about what you want to do and don't be afraid to try it out and change your mind if it's now what you want.
Depending on what kind of retail you're interested in, retail jobs generally required excellent customer service, good knowledge of the goods / products being sold, ability to take and manage different forms of payment. You will need to be very comfortable talking with people you've never met, finding out what they need and helping them to find it, demonstrating that you are genuine and trustworthy, and patience for people / customers that may not always be pleasant to work with.
My first job was working at Carl's Jr. fast food restaurant. After two years there where I started as a counter person, was promoted to a Lead Person and then an Assistant Manager, I was also interested in working at a retail shop and saw it as a great next step. I learned quickly that many retail stores wanted retail experience, so I finally wrote a letter with my resume to help them understand that if I could work with customers, handle cash registers and cash management, and be promoted into management, I very capably could sell in a retail store. It worked and I got the job!
I hope this helps, and as always, think carefully about what you want to do and don't be afraid to try it out and change your mind if it's now what you want.