How Retail Store Employees Should Upskill Today
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Retail jobs have historically offered a meaningful first foot in the industry door — the National Retail Federation (NRF) in the US estimates that 32 percent of Americans experience their first jobs in retail. It is also the largest private-sector employer in the country, supporting 42 million jobs.
But the retail landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, especially since the outbreak of Covid-19 when lockdowns and store closures forced a reset on the purpose of physical retail. Enticing consumers back in-store and broadening the purpose of a brick-and-mortar location in an age of digital and social commerce has seen the explosion of experiential retail and in-store services.
Today, retail teams might assist in product fulfilment, data gathering or omnichannel clienteling and social media activations. “Store associate” roles have subsequently been rebranded to better reflect store staff’s shifting responsibilities — retailers now recruit for client advisors or consultants, brand or community ambassadors. For many working in stores, adapting to the evolving retail landscape and staying on top of the necessary skill sets can feel challenging.
To understand how to upskill as a store employee, to progress in a retail role or demonstrate transferable skills for creative or corporate roles in adjacent industries, BoF Careers gathers advice from retail thought leaders and fashion executives who began their careers on the shop floor.
Inside Falmouth University’s Online MA in Sustainable Fashion
The institution is fostering a new generation of fashion practitioners with the skills to address one of the industry’s most significant challenges: sustainability. To learn more, BoF sits down with the course leader of Falmouth University’s online MA in Sustainable Fashion, Tom Crisp.
Upcoming Careers Events
You're invited to register your interest in attending our upcoming digital and in-person events, where we’ll further unpack the findings from our latest report and explore how they can inform your talent strategies going forward.
18 September: Register for the digital event
06 October: Register for the in-person Paris event
New Job Opportunities on BoF Careers
Explore over 2,000 current vacancies, from internships to c-suite roles, across creative and business functions at organisations hiring on BoF Careers.
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BoF Careers is our hiring and employer branding platform. We partner with the best fashion and beauty companies to help them hire and showcase their unique employer brand to our community of top fashion, luxury and beauty professionals. Get in touch with Thesia Yomalita (thesia.yomalita@businessoffashion.com) to find out how we can support your business.