Retail offers a 'quick route to management'

Those looking to work in management may wish to consider entering the retail sector as it has been claimed that this offers the fastest route to the position.

Employing around three million people, it is probably the largest private sector employer in the UK, according to Working Links.

As a result, there are more jobs created than in any other industry and it can be a fast-track way for people to advance in their career.

Will Cookson, head of skills at Working Links, believes there can be young people or people who have been unemployed, going into work in retail, as soon as the employer sees their potential, the chances are they will be put into a management position.

A spokesperson for ClickAJob points out that because there are more career openings in retail there are more challenges too - it's the ultimate training ground.

All businesses are structured to serve customers, he says.

But retail businesses are geared to respond instantly with the reflex that nothing is too much trouble.

Day to day, retail provides more people-handling and problem-solving experience than any other type of business, he asserts.

As a result, managers with a retail background have real hands-on experience, a vastly superior edge compared to colleagues whose knowledge is largely theoretical.

Figures from Skillsmart Retail's website show that the average wage of a retail sales assistant is 11,000 - 15,000, while managers of large stores can earn over 40,000.