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The 2021 holiday season is fast approaching, and employers have begun increasing their hiring efforts to meet the unprecedented demand that is expected this year. There are endless opportunities in the retail industry right now, with many positions offering increased pay and benefits as an incentive. Three of the most popular jobs that retail employers are looking to fill this season include Merchandisers, Brand Ambassadors and Warehouse Associates. These positions are all vastly different in terms of what the day-to-day looks like, so depending on what you are looking for, there is sure to be a position that’s right for you. If you are looking for a retail position this season, there is no better time to get into the industry.

Amongst the most popular jobs this season are Merchandisers. Crucial to the success of retail stores, merchandisers are responsible for ensuring stores have the correct amount of product stocked, deciding how goods should be displayed in the store to maximize sales, planning promotions and markdowns, overseeing delivery and distribution of goods and much more. Duties may vary depending on the company and the type of goods being sold, but the overall goal for merchandisers is to improve sales, and they are responsible for products from the moment they are delivered to the store to the moment a shopper purchases and leaves the store with them. Merchandisers usually have a “territory” they are responsible for, meaning they travel to different stores throughout the week and aren’t just responsible for one single store. Merchandisers work closely with suppliers, manufacturers, and store managers to optimize sales and make sure that promotions are effective. People with a background in marketing, business and especially retail would be well-suited to a merchandising position. Some soft skills that would be beneficial include attention to detail, communication skills and organizational skills.

Brand Ambassadors are another in-demand position this season. People in these roles are typically considered to be “the face” of a brand, though what that entails can vary between different retailers. Ideally, a brand looks to hire someone that is already familiar with the products that they sell and actively uses them. As the face of a brand, ambassadors are typically responsible for representing the brand positively, increasing brand awareness, assisting in content creation, and participating in event marketing. Some brand ambassadors may work in the store, promoting specific products and being available for product demonstrations and answering any questions that customers may have. As social media use has grown, it has become more and more common for brands to utilize “influencers” to promote their products, so brand ambassadors are more important than ever. Social media influencers make strong brand ambassadors, as they have an established audience that they have spent time building trust with and they can be extremely effective at not only increasing brand awareness but actually encouraging their followers to buy the products that they endorse. Trust and credibility are vital attributes for brand ambassadors to have, as they are the main factors as to why word-of-mouth marketing is so effective. Other attributes that are important for Brand Ambassadors to have include an outgoing personality, a flexible schedule and communication skills. These positions can be a great starting point for those looking to build a career in marketing.

Warehouse Associates are always in high demand for the holiday season, and this year is no different. These positions have a wide variety of responsibilities, and duties may look different from company-to-company. Typically, employees in these roles handle tasks such as receiving incoming shipments, picking, packing and sorting orders, organizing inventory, operating forklifts, and overall making sure that the warehouse is running efficiently. There are many other specialized tasks that may fall under warehouse associates’ job descriptions, depending on the type of warehouse and the type of goods being sold. Warehouse associates are crucial to the overall success of a company, as they handle all of the behind-the-scenes tasks that make it possible for retailers to stock their shelves and get online orders out. Attention to detail, adaptability, organizational skills, and communication skills are all paramount for this career. It can also be physically demanding so candidates must be in adequate physical shape in order to carry out their daily responsibilities. Warehouse positions are in very high demand this season, and can offer high job security, steady pay, and endless opportunities for advancement.

The retail industry is multi-faceted and offers an infinite number of career paths. With the recent rise of e-commerce and things slowly beginning to return to normal, its growth isn’t likely to slow down any time soon. These three career paths are sure to be popular this season, but they are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to opportunities, and each of them can be a great steppingstone to other careers in the industry. If you have thought about looking for a job in the retail industry, now is a great time. Retailers will be looking for hundreds of new employees this holiday season with many offering higher salaries than ever before and increased benefits. Begin your job search today on the largest career and recruiting board designed just for retail positions, AllRetailJobs.com, where hundreds of new opportunities are posted daily!