Retail: Jobs at all levels

Indian retail is one of the largest Retail industries in the world. The position of Indian retail market is fifth globally. The industry is expected to grow from US$ 330 billion in 2007 to US$ 427 billion by 2010 and US$ 637 billion by 2015 and may generate 10 to15 million jobs in next 5 years, according to ASSOCHAM. Organized retail which presently accounts for 4 per cent of the total market is likely to increase its share to 22 per cent by 2010.

India has one of the largest numbers of retail outlets in the world. There are approximately 12 million retail outlets here in the country, and 25% of these retail outlets sell food and related products. This industry is poised for exponential growth as consumer buying power is increasing due to rise in disposable income. Some of the leading retailers in India are Pantaloon Retail India Ltd, Shoppers stop, INOX, Lifestyle, Bata India ltd, and global names like Tesco, Landmark, and Metro AG.

As the growth momentum continues, leading organizations need to out-smart their competitors by better managing some of the challenges unique to retail sector -

Large number of small transactions - As the typical basket size is small, retailers need to make large number of transactions to ensure profit margins. With those many transactions comes the challenge of handling human errors. Retailers need a robust mechanism to handle the volumes without compromising on accuracy and customer experience.

Know the customer - One of the biggest challenges is in the area of assortment planning and shelf display. Given the seasonality and ever- changing consumer preferences, shelf space has to be constantly re-designed to ensure the highest value for the space and increased isle browsing experience for the consumer.

Supply chain management - With 100s of suppliers for a single category, it's not easy to track various SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) and orders. Often, a large source of customer satisfaction is the availability of the desired items in store. Supply chain that can drive on time display of the right products in a good sequence drives repeat customer visits.

Using price as a value - In a price conscious market like India, discounts offer the largest value to a large section of the consumers. Using low prices, retailers can lure the customers into stores and increase average basket size by enabling impulse buying.

As India's economy, foreign direct investment, and organized infrastructure continue to improve, Retail industry is looking ahead for exciting times in future. However, one of the factors affecting the growth of this industry is lack of educated and skilled workforce.

At the store staff level, Retail Industry competes directly with part of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Industry. Entry level wages are about 2 to 3 times higher in BPO compared to Retail industry. This becomes a driving force taking a large section of candidates away from Retail. However, in terms of work profiles, Retail offers more variety compared to BPO. There are countless opportunities available in merchandising management, supply chain planning and implementation, store management, and point of sale that offer a stimulating and satisfying work experience.

One of the great things about Retail sector is the breadth of employment opportunities at almost all levels - from Cashiers, Goods carriers, and Store Managers, to Capacity Planners, Merchandising Managers, and Supply Chain experts. This sector touches various sectors of the society and offers an economic engine for inclusive growth. Employment with Retail looks promising in coming years.

For individuals who are unsure of employment opportunities available in this sector, here are some of the positions that this Industry offers -

• Accountant
• Administrator
• Area manager
• Business development manager
• Buying and merchandising executive
• Concept manager
• Copy writer for creating promotional material
• CRM manager
• Customer support executive
• Department manger
• Fashion consultant for garment retailing
• Floor manager
• HR manager/officer
• IT assistant
• Legal officer
• Logistic executive/manager
• Marketing manager
• Operations and finance manager
• Product manager
• Purchase manager
• Regional manager
• Relationship manager
• Retail store designer
• Sales assistant
• Sales executive
• Store controller
• Store manager/associate
• Supervisor
• Training manager
• Telephone operator
• Unit marketing head
• Visual merchandiser
• Warehouse supervisor
• Web designer/web developer

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