Welcome to 2016 - the year that you focus on your career and make that leap into a great new role. Here at The Retail Appointment, we’re celebrating the start of the year with a whole 32-page bumper issue magazine filled with great opportunities and fantastic career advice. As if that wasn’t enough, we’re gearing up for the next Retail Appointment Live event, set to be another cracker.
We’re going behind the scenes with two very different companies this issue - finding out what makes them tick and getting the lowdown on how to make your application stand out from the crowd.
On page 12, we take an inside look at our front-cover advertiser, Wickes - where they’re doing it right. We talk to store manager Elaine and chief operating officer Mike in order to get two very different perspectives on life at this high-energy, people-focussed company.
Then on page 5, we talk to Lidl about the fast-paced careers at the fast-growing discounter.
Meanwhile, our Talking Shop feature this month focuses on the career resolutions you should be making in 2016.
If you’re a traditional merchandiser, chances are you’ve never thought about a move to online merchandising but it could be a great move that uses your existing skills in a whole new career. We asked specialist consultant Ruth Oakland from Retail Human Resources to talk us through the benefits of changing to a career online.
For those of you who like to get involved, we’re currently running an industry survey on workplace benefits. If your employer was to spend £2k per head on benefits, how would you prefer they were spent? Have your say here.
In addition to all the great advice and features, we’ve got some amazing job opportunities in this issue.
In health and beauty, we have Sally Salons who are advertising for area managers, store managers and sales advisors who lead from the front and provide the best customer service around. Meanwhile, home fragrance chain Love Aroma is looking for a head of retail to drive sales and customer service whilst developing planning and training initiatives that will support the company’s business plans.
World Duty Free are looking for general assistants in their Manchester and Birmingham airport locations. If that sounds good to you, then you might also like to check out the store management and team leader vacancies at M&S and WHSmith as they open their new Food to Go stores.
Elsewhere in hospitality, exciting new pizza chain MOD is seeking restaurant and assistant restaurant managers in Yorkshire and the North East. and Pizza Hut are looking for general and deputy managers nationwide, apply here.
Finally, we have Nando’s who are looking for more than just managers – they’re looking for passionate and motivated leaders, so head down to their open day and find out for yourself why working in hospitality has never been more exciting.
Crabtree & Evelyn, meanwhile, are looking for store managers and brand ambassadors across their London boutiques. If this unique, emporium-like brand is up your street then apply here.
We also have Sainsbury’s advertising in this issue – looking for managers after their market-beating Christmas results and M&S are seeking section managers with opportunities across general merchandise, food, visual, merchandising, hospitality and finance. Say ‘yes’ to inspiring customers and get your application in today.
If technology is more your thing, then mobile company 3 are looking for managers across the UK, with great money, bonuses and benefits including of course a free phone, with free calls, text and data and a free mobile broadband dongle.
In clothing this issue, we have luxury goods brand Dunhill London, who are looking for an assistant store manager in Bicester Village. If you’re keen to move into a luxury brand and grow your career, this could be the perfect opportunity.
Meanwhile, Timberland are also looking for staff, including store and assistant managers, part time and full time supervisors and part time sales associates in their Ashford and Oxford Street locations. Part of the VF Corporation, Timberland is a great brand with a fantastic heritage, so apply now.
Uniqlo is also seeking talented retail professionals as visual merchandisers, graphic designers and customer advisors. They also have opportunities for graduates in its store manager candidate programme.
If you’re more into sportswear than casualwear, Sports Direct are looking for staff across a wide range of positions, including retail and area management, IT, property estates, buying and more.
Finally, Vision Express can definitely see your potential – so check out their store manager (designate) opportunities nationwide.
So that’s it for our first issue of the year. Some great opportunities with amazing companies – so make 2016 the year you make a great change in your career.
The Retail Appointment Team
