Retail Jobs

Retail Jobs The retail industry experiences more fluctuations than perhaps any other marketplace. The changing economy and seasonal effects typically have a major impact on the success of the retail industry. Consumer spending usually accounts for about two-thirds of domestic spending, thus the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) typically indicates the health of the retail sector. All companies which sell goods to consumers are included in the retail sector including store retailers and non-store retailers.

The retail market is increasingly being taken over by billion dollar conglomerates such as Walmart and Sears. The large retailers have huge supply/distribution chains, inventory management systems, wide scale marketing campaigns and financing pacts.

Retail Employment - Employer Reviews

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Retail Industry Facts

Almost one-third of the world's 250 largest retail organizations are based in the United States (2010 Global Powers of Retailing report)
According to the 2010 Global 2000 list provided by Fortune Magazine, 54 of the largest companies of any type in the world are U.S. based companies which are solely retail companies or companies with significant retail operations
In 2008, 20 percent of the companies included in the Forbes annual businesses ranking were in the retail industry
In 2009, the total amount of sales for the U.S. retail industry (including automotive and food service) was $4.13 trillion (U.S. Census Bureau)
Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, The Kroger Company is #6, Home Depot is #7, Costco is #8 (2010 Global Powers of Retailing report)

Retail Industry Employment Background

Entry-level retail jobs include stock & inventory associate, bagger, and retail sales associate. Management jobs include district manager, loss prevention manager, store manager and assistant store manager. Retail merchandiser jobs include sales merchandiser, merchandising analyst and visual merchandising associate.

Competitive intelligence analysts evaluate the pricing and strategies of competitors and provide recommendations for marketing, promotions and strategic initiatives based on analyzing data. Personal shoppers offer expert advice and provide a high level of customized service to individual shoppers. Some retail employers hire personal shoppers.

Retail Industry Employment Statistics

In 2010, 14.4 million people were employed in the U.S. retail industry (Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS))
In 2010, 4.7 percent of retail trade workers were members of a union (BLS)
There were 2,746,100 cashiers in the retail industry in 2010 (BLS)
In 2010 there were 3,853,660 retail sales persons
There were 1,266,870 stock clerks and order fillers in the retail industry in 2010
The largest retailer employers in 2008 were clothing and clothing accessories stores, department stores, building material and supplies dealers, motor vehicle and parts dealers as well as general merchandise stores, including warehouse clubs and supercenters

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Retail Industry Employment Outlook

Employment opportunities for retail sales persons are projected to be good, due to the need to replace the large number of workers who leave for other occupations or leave the labor force every year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an eight percent employment growth from 2008 to 2018, which is about as fast as average for all occupations. Due to the size off the occupation, approximately 374,700 new retail salesperson jobs are projected to be created during 2008 to 2018; more jobs than will be created in almost any other occupation.

Employment growth among retail salespersons reflects an increase in retails sales by a growing population. Opportunities for part-time work should be abundant. The BLS forecasts employment growth will be fastest in general merchandise stores. According to the BLS, Internet sales have not decreased the need for retail salespersons. Employment of cashiers is projected by the BLS to grow by four percent from 2008 to 2018. Also, based on its survey, Business Week magazine has named Target the best company for launching a retail career.