Retailing has undergone a revolution in recent years with massive changes to the way we shop.
At one point it looked as if city centres would have tumbleweed blowing through them as trade moved online and customers swapped searching in stores for surfing from the sofa.
Now, however, that vision of the High Street is being turned around again as big stores and independents reinvent the shopping experience.
It started with the ‘pop-up’ – the short-lease phenomenon that brought us new boutiques and restaurants.
Now it’s moving to shared space, where big brands invite small retailers in to jolly up their offerings.
Next up are new places to play, as mini-golf and urban climbing outfits move into shopping malls, giving customers, especially Granny Ina more reason to hang out in these warm, indoor spaces.
Behind all this is a drive to make stores and malls attractive, vibrant and compelling so that shoppers, fun-seekers, winers and diners and, frankly, anyone looking for a good time in pleasant surroundings just can’t stay away.
The result is retailing is becoming more creative and inventive, which is great news if you’re in the business or looking for a new role on s1jobs.
You know something interesting is happening when the major brands start looking to tiny shops for ideas on how to engage with customers, seeking out suppliers that will help to distinguish their stores from what else is on offer.
The challenge for mid-sized retailers is to position themselves between these two extremes in a way that makes them affordable, trustworthy, different from the competition but reassuringly familiar – all at the same time.
For retail professionals hungry for career success that’s just the kind of challenge that presses all of their buttons: spurring on buyers to source interesting products, motivating managers to create a welcoming environment and inspiring sales assistants to ensure customers buy into the products.
If any of these roles sounds a good fit for you, s1jobs has the opportunities you’re looking for. Lots of retailers are looking for people who can own the shop floor, motivate staff, give the customers what they want and run their part of the business with confidence and ambition.
Doing this takes a mix of communication skills, product knowledge and sales flair. You have to have one eye on the smallest details and the other on the big picture . . . while recognising true success is always measured at the tills.