08 January 2009, 19:01 PM
  • Despite the crunch, over half of career advisers still see retail as a good sector for young people to work in, reveals new research commissioned by Skillsmart Retail.

The report, ‘Quantifying Perceptions of a Career in Retail’, shows that only 11% of the 406 professionals surveyed thought the sector had become a worse career prospect than five years ago, while a quarter identified no change between 2003 and 2008.

When asked to explain the reasons why the sector had improved, the three main factors were the increase in opportunity and career structure, wider availability of training and qualifications, and better pay – linked to the introduction of the minimum wage.

Skillsmart Retail’s chief executive, Anne Seaman, says, “Career advisers are very influential in helping young people make choices about jobs in different sectors. Because of this, it is good to know that they believe retail is a better place to work now than in 2003 – in spite of the current financial climate.

“Hopefully this message will filter down to young people across the UK so that they want to find out more about the wide range of opportunities that exist for a successful and fulfilling career in retail.”