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The retail industry is thriving, and retailers are constantly looking for talented and passionate candidates for a plethora of open positions. Whether you are interested in working for a large grocery store, a department store, or a small specialty store, the industry offers many different varying positions to suit your unique needs and interests. While some job seekers look for retail jobs as a way to re-enter the workforce after being away or as a part time job to earn some extra cash, others create a very rewarding and life-long career from the industry. There are many benefits of working a retail job such as flexible hours, getting daily physical activity in, opportunity for growth, merchandise discounts and the opportunity to build important skills that will be beneficial in your career for years to come. Because there are so many different types of retail jobs, job seekers can evaluate which benefits are the most important to them, as well as which environment is the most appealing, before choosing which positions to apply to. Here are some of the biggest pros to working in the retail industry!

Retail jobs are typically appealing to people who need a flexible schedule, such as students or parents, as most retailers offer evening, weekend, or part time positions and will usually work with you to come up with the best-fitting schedule for your specific circumstances. Schedules change weekly, and oftentimes you can trade shifts with coworkers if needed. This kind of ever-changing schedule can also be great if you are someone who gets bored easily or doesn’t like working a standard nine-to-five office job; days will be different based on your shift so you will be focused on a variety of tasks each day.

If sitting at a desk for eight hours does not interest you, you may enjoy working a retail position. Although tiring, retail positions have you up on your feet moving throughout the day, which can have a positive impact on your body and overall health. Retail employees usually spend their shifts standing, reaching, bending, lifting items and moving throughout the store. This is a great way to incorporate more movement into your day, as opposed to sitting at a desk, where you are mostly sedentary and have to make a conscious effort to stand and move around throughout the day. While it’s not necessarily strenuous exercise you will be doing, consistent physical activity will still have a great impact on your health and can prevent injuries and improve energy levels.

The retail industry is unique in that it is not uncommon for new sales associates to be on track for management positions within a matter of weeks or months. There are plenty of retail positions that require no prior experience, making it a great industry to break into at any time, and most retailers prefer to promote from within. Those that excel in their positions can move up the chain fairly quickly. After mastering the sales floor, managers typically take on tasks such as scheduling, training new employees and tracking inventory, so if those aspects interest you, a sales associate position is a great starting point. If you are interested in learning specific skills such as inventory management or merchandising, be sure to let your manager know so you can really hone those skills from the start.

If you seek out positions with retailers whose products or services you already use and love, discounts can be one of the best perks of the job. Employee discounts vary between different retailers, but oftentimes employees are offered anywhere between 10-30% off retail value, and sometimes those discounts are even extended to friends and family. Whether it is clothing, groceries, or anything else, these discounts can be a significant saving for you and a great incentive to choose one company over another.

Whether you plan to make a career out of your retail position or only work in the industry short term, the skills that you build there will stay with you for years to come. Interpersonal communication is a skill that will inevitably be strengthened by working in the industry. You will constantly be communicating with all different kinds of customers, whether it is conflict resolution or just polite small talk. If you consider yourself an extrovert or a “people person” already, a retail career may be a great fit for you. If you are more introverted, a retail career is a great way to improve your people skills. Another important skill that the retail industry can help to build is teamwork. Most likely, you will be working with a large team and will need to learn how to work together most efficiently. You and your coworkers will all be working towards the same goals, even if your individual tasks vary. Basic computer and math skills will also be bolstered by familiarizing you with the company’s point of sale (POS) system, teaching you how to process transactions, build spreadsheets to track inventory and more. All of these skills will be great resume builders, whether you plan to stay in the industry or not.

All of these reasons and more highlight why the retail industry is a great industry to be in and can be suitable for a wide range of job seekers with different interests. Take some time to determine what retail career path you are interested in going down, and what perks are the most important to you and you can be on your way to a very rewarding career. Whether you are looking for a seasonal retail job and only plan on working in the industry temporarily or are looking for a meaningful career that requires little to no prerequisites to get started, a retail career is a great option that can provide you with many perks and benefits. AllRetailJobs.com is the number one retail job board designed for retail professionals, and new positions are posted daily. Begin your search with us today!