Careers in Retail

Riding the country’s economic growth, Indian retail sector is on a high tide.The rapid growth of the retail sector and its deep penetration in various parts of the country within a very short span of time has now been termed as the retail revolution. In order to cater to the manpower needs of the retail industry various retail management courses are being launched by several business schools in India. As the sector is booming in India, a career in retail sector promises good wages and growth potential for the ambitious youngsters. Retail management is associated with retailing business of departmental stores and shopping malls. There is a big demand for the retail management professionals to process all merchandise shipments, to achieve store sales and profitability, administration of stores as well as communication with the clients to satisfy them.
Retail is an industry in itself, so it requires talent from various streams like supply chain management, finance management, marketing, e-retailing, business communication, customer relationship etc. Numerous jobs are available in music stores, books and publishing industries, shopping malls, multiplex, processed food industry, specialty boutiques and the large apparel stores etc .

Even little qualified people will also get absorbed in suitable jobs, like security, janitorial jobs etc.

With rapidly expanding departmental stores and huge shopping malls, plenty of job opportunities are opening all over India. An estimated growth rate in retail sector in India has been about 30-40% with establishment of more than 350 shopping malls. It is estimated that the retail sector will create over 13 million jobs throughout the country by 2012. More than 60% of these jobs will be available in the rural areas.

In recent years, several Indian and international companies like Reliance, Pantaloons, Wal-Mart, Big Bazaar has rooted their presence in the country. The vacancies in retail sector are available from the entry to senior management level. Career in retail sector can be developed as store manager, retail managers, retail buyers, retail design/visual merchandise, merchandise planning and product developers. Several institutes in India including Birla Institute of Management Technology in New Delhi, RPG Institute of Retail Management, Indian Retail School offer various courses associated with retail management .