Retail and wholesale distribution
Retail makes up 10 percent of the local economy and Manchester is a top shopping destination. The city offers a mix of high-street, designer and independent stores, with shopping districts, centres and retail parks such as the Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre and Northern Quarter.
Wholesale distribution is the supply of products from warehouses or distribution centres to shops or customers.
When you shop for something, the business who sells it to you is in the retail sector. Retail can in different ways, like through a website, in a shopping centre, on the high street or over the phone. Thousands of people work to get the product you bought into your hand.
Key employers in Greater Manchester include: * Boohoo * N Brown * Missguided * AO.com
Example jobs available in this sector
Job Description
Flows managers ensure the supply of stock from distribution centres or warehouses to shops.
Salary Range
£35,000 plus
Working environment
Office and warehouse, with some travel.
Hours
35 hours a week minimum, with possible shift work.
Opportunities
You could progress into large organisations with complex supply chains at a senior leadership level.
Job Description
Franchise owners buy a licence to operate a business under an established brand. Franchise owners are self-employed. They employ their own staff but use the branding and products of the established company. Many well-known fast food outlets are franchises.
Salary Range
Varies.
Working environment
Office, shop, restaurant or at home.
Hours
40-42 hours a week.
Opportunities
Once your business becomes established, you could open more franchised outlets.
Job Description
Sales assistants work in shops, selling products and helping customers. They sort and replenish stock, handle payments and deal with customer queries.
Salary Range
£12,500 - £25,000.
Working environment
Shop.
Hours
Varies, often with evening and weekend work. Part-time and full-time hours available.
Opportunities
You could progress to store management and retail management roles or set up your own shop.
Job Description
Marketing executives promote a company's products, services or brand. They research and create campaigns, produce material for adverts and social media, and organise events.
Salary Range
£18,000 - £35,000.
Working environment
Office.
Hours
37 hours a week minimum, with possible evening and weekend work.
Opportunities
You could progress into management. Other opportunities include freelancing, advertising, or public relations and communications.
Job Description
Visual merchandisers create product displays to boost sales. They dress mannequins and show sales staff how to display products.
Salary Range
£12,000 - £55,000.
Working environment
Shop.
Hours
36-38 hours a week, including evening and weekend work.
Opportunities
You could progress to team leader or visual merchandising manager. You could also move into retail, exhibition or interior design, or set up your own business creating one-off displays.
What to expect from this sector in the next 10 years
The sector needs higher level skills/to upskill because of new technology and will need more staff with IT qualifications and skills.
A quarter of future jobs in the sector will be at will be at Level 4+ (beyond A-levels) and a quarter at Level 3 (A-level or advanced apprenticeship).
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