Buying, selling and retailing
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in buying, selling and retailing.
If you are interested in careers in Medical Sales, see Pharmacy
What is buying, selling and purchasing?
Retail is often seen as a stepping-stone for entrepreneurs to start up in other business sectors. The retail industry and the jobs within it are susceptible to economic and consumer trends. (source - Prospects). Retail employers are now looking for people who can demonstrate commercial awareness, motivation, leadership, good team-working and problem-solving skills and a passion for the sector. As the largest private sector employer, with nearly three million people employed across the UK, retail has created more jobs than any other sector over the last five years. The sector is dynamic and evolving and there are a large proportion of jobs at managerial/ professional level.
Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with a range of sales-related job profiles.
Targetjobs
Targetjobs is a graduate careers website with the following job sector information.
Inside Careers
In-depth and structured information and advice about entering marketing and sales professions.
How do I get into it?
Skillsmart Retail
This sector skills council for retail aims to be the authority for retail skills development and promotion, contributing to improved productivity. According to Skillsmart Retail ; Retail employers are now looking for people who can demonstrate commercial awareness, motivation, leadership, good team-working and problem-solving skills and a passion for the sector.
As the largest private sector employer, with nearly three million people employed across the UK, retail has created more jobs than any other sector over the last five years. With 291,000 businesses taking around £260 billion a year, it is a dynamic and evolving sector and accounts for 6.2% of graduate vacancies and you don’t need a related degree to succeed in this industry. Retail is a dynamic and evolving sector and there are a large proportion of jobs at managerial/professional level.
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
CIPS exists to promote and develop high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in purchasing and supply chain management. There is a careers section.
Prospects Community - Retail and Sales
Job opportunities and advice on working in the sales and recruitment sector.
Finding a job or employer in this sector
The Appointment
The careers magazine for retail, fashion and hospitality which includes vacancies and industry news.
The Grocer
The Grocer magazine is published by William Reed, Britain's leading business publisher for the food and drink industry. You will find vacancies and industry news.
The Bookseller
The site includes the most comprehensive database of publishing jobs available online in the UK.
Inretail.co.uk
This is a recruitment website for the retail industry. In addition to the advertised jobs you can register for job alerts by email and register a CV. There is also a section for graduates which includes information about graduate recruitment programmes.
Retailcareers.co.uk
This is a recruitment website for the retail industry. In addition to the advertised jobs there is a graduate section which advertises graduate vacancies, contains industry information and CV guides.
round8
Graduate to Director Recruitment Agency round8 finds and develops commercial people for media and digital media companies.
Talisman
Talisman is an international recruitment consultancy, known for its expertise in fashion - from retail, head office, in-store to manufacturing and wholesaling.
Pareto Law
Graduate sales recruitment agency
Further information and useful links
Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply
CIPS is an international organisation, based in the UK, serving the purchasing and supply profession. Dedicated to promoting good practice, CIPS provides a wide range of services for the benefit of members and the wider business community.
Institute of Customer Services
The Institute of Customer Service is the professional body for customer service whose primary purpose is to lead customer service performance and professionalism. You will find a jobs and careers section which contains information on working in customers services, relevant training and links to vacancies.
Institute of Sales and Marketing Management
The ISMM exists to promote the prestige and integrity of selling by inspiring sales and marketing personnel to greater heights of achievement by providing them with guidance, education, training and information. There is a jobs and an education section which details information about vacancies and professional qualifications.
Modern Selling
News, information and jobs for sales professionals.
British Retail Consortium
The British Retail Consortium is the lead trade association representing the whole range of retailers.