Retail jobs on the rise

Looking for a job? Have you thought about retail?

Seriously! Some of the best jobs around are in retail, and job seekers are missing out on great opportunities if they don't check into it.

And what's more, they would be entering a burgeoning industry that is desperately seeking good employees. There was a 3.5 per cent increase in retail jobs in B.C. in February alone, according to StatsCan.

Retail B.C., an industry organization, pointed out in a recent newsletter that a survey of retailers' needs shows that staffing and staff-related issues are their number 1 business concern. As a result, according to CEO Mark Startup, retailers across the province are feeling the effects of what has become an employee market, forcing them to take a harder look at how to attract good people and what to do to make sure those they do hire stick around.

Despite what many people still think, there's much more to a retail career than being a sales associate, although that can be a good starting place because from the shop floor you can progress into supervision, buying, merchandising, advertising, operations or real estate. Or even get started in your own business.

And there are opportunities in other areas too - from security to accounting, from logistics to store design. In North America, more people are employed in information technology in the retail industry than in the computer industry itself, as businesses make use of high-tech methods for everything from keeping abreast of tech-savvy customer trends to ordering and maintaining stock inventory to web sites and Internet merchandising.

Most of us are not aware that retailing is actually the largest employer in B.C., providing paycheques to about 275,000 British Columbians and generating more than $50 billion for the provincial economy.

As Retail B.C. points out, it is a diverse industry, with a variety of jobs available to suit every talent, personality and lifestyle. There are also opportunities for part-time workers, even those looking for only a few hours of work per week.

What's more, if you enjoy selling, there are none of these pesky cold calls so many sales people detest. In retail, the customers come to you.

Retailing also gives you a chance to target your interests. If, for example, you like gardening, there's a place for you; or fash-ions, computers or photography - you name it.

Sure, as in many fields, the starting pay can be low, and you might have to work some evenings or weekends, but if you can deal with people and treat them well, you already have the key skills you need to progress - what you learn about sales, business practices and merchandising can help you move on to a better position.

Major retailers highly value store-level experience and often promote to management and corporate jobs from within - for example, a former president and CEO of Wal-Mart Canada began his retail career in the mailroom at Woolworth's. Another was a former candy bar salesman. The sky's the limit.

If you want to learn more about careers in retail, google Retail B.C., or check out the BCIT website.

Doug MacDougall is the general manager of Metropolis at Metrotown.