The past decade has been a long 10 years for the retail industry. It failed to get off the marks during the recession and was then tripped up by a trend leaning to internet sales.
Some retailers, however, can’t help but get it right . . . and a number of key Scottish brands have turned out to have the golden touch.
Take the Glaswegian fashion chain, Quiz. It has 73 stores, 165 department store concessions and a thriving website. It operates in 19 countries and maintains a network of deals with franchise and online partners.
In the last financial year sales have jumped 30% to £89.8 million and operating profits increased 44% to £10.3 million.
If you’ve been browsing the retail vacancies on s1jobs you’ll have discovered there are lots of exciting retail brands that share the Quiz formula for success.
These are the outlets that have been quick to adapt to changes in shopping habits but have also stuck to the tried-and-tested formula of selling the right products, at the right price and backing them up with top-notch customer service.
It turns out Scottish retailers have a well deserved reputation for getting such things bang on the money.
Another Glasgow-based chain, M&Co, is also thriving thanks to its forward-thinking attitude and a long history of being trusted by its customers.
And Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which operates out of Langholm in the Borders, is another winning name with a proud history behind it.
In recent times it has scooped up both the Austin Reed brand and Jaeger label, recognising both of these names still have a lot of clout with certain strands of the clothes-buying public.
There are other brands that have embraced the upheaval of the past decade and forged a bright future by being quick to respond to customers’ changing needs and you can find opportunities with many of them on s1jobs.
However, like every successful label, you’ll need to be quick on the uptake and fast to spot changing trends – yet still be committed to treating every customer as an individual.
But most of all you’ll have to thrive on the buzz of retail, welcoming every new season and the trends that come with it – and relishing the moment a customer walks out the door with a carrier bag bearing your brand’s label.
Make your career a success story with the latest Retail vacancies from s1jobs.