The Retail Industry

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The Retail industry is a fast-growing and ever-changing one.

It is the largest employer of staff in the private sector in the UK.
There are nearly 238,000 retail jobs - about ten per cent of all Scottish jobs. A further 16,000 are self-employed.
There are a further 43,400 also employed in the retail motor industry, with a further 5,000 self employed.
The retail industry is a universal business that can be found in all parts of Scotland.

Areas Included

The retail industry involves the selling of goods and services to us, the general public.

Some shops focus on one product but others such as supermarkets and department stores sell a wide range of products and services.
The retail motor industry focuses on the sale, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.
The two main types of jobs in the retail industry are sales and customer services staff – about 60% of all jobs.
Nearly a third of all jobs in the retail motor industry are skilled trades jobs, such as motor mechanic.

For a full list of jobs in the retail industry see below.

This industry will appeal most to those interested in working with people and providing a service. People who work in retail need to be friendly and helpful.
Most retail jobs are part-time. (60%)
In contrast the majority of jobs in the motor industry are full time.
More females than males work in retails - 65%.
There are fewer female employees in the motor industry - 22%.
The average age of a retail worker is 33. This is due to the large number of 16-24 year olds in the workforce. In contrast the average age in the motor industry is higher - 38.
Job prospects for school leavers in the retail industry are good. More than a third of employers (35%) have recruited a school leaver in the last two to three years.

In Scotland, retail and distribution is expected to have the greatest number of job opportunities in the next ten years - 169,000 jobs.
Most jobs will be sales and customer services.
There will also be an increase in the number of management jobs.
The most significant change in the next decade will be growth of e-commerce.

Find out more about where the jobs are in your area.

Skillsmart is the Skills Sector Council for the Retail Industry.

Automotive Skills is the Skills Sector Council for the Motor Retail Industry.