A retailer helps customers buy things, like understanding what’s in stock, how customers shop, and handling payments. During a retailer apprenticeship, you’ll focus on giving excellent service, making customers happy, and selling products. You can work in different stores, from small shops to big chains, and even in unique places like funeral services or online shops. This apprenticeship can lead to higher positions in retail, like team leader or manager.
What you’ll learn
- Understanding who buys from the business and what they typically buy.
- Knowing what the business aims to achieve and how its activities help reach those goals.
- Learning how to run a retail store effectively to make more money by selling more and wasting less.
- Knowing the local community and what its people want to buy.
- Understanding how the business deals with environmental issues like reducing waste and pollution.
- Knowing how to talk to customers to sell more and keep them coming back.
- Understanding the products and services the business offers, including how they work and what happens after you buy them.
- Knowing why the business’s reputation is important and what can damage it.
- Learning how to display products effectively to boost sales.
- Understanding how to manage and store products to meet demand and take advantage of different times of the year.
- Knowing how to use computers and digital systems for work.
- Learning how to work well with others to achieve the business’s goals.
- Understanding the rules and laws that affect retail businesses, like what you can sell and to whom.
- Knowing why it’s important to treat everyone fairly and include everyone in the business.
- Understanding what help your team might need to do their jobs well.
- Knowing the rules for returning things you’ve bought, whether in person or online.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- Depend on employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience, particularly where strong communication is demonstrated
Assessment methods
The programme is assessed in various ways before completing the End Point Assessment, including observation with questions and interview underpinned by portfolio.
Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion
- Duration: 14 months
-
Level: 2 – Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Relevant school subjects: Business studies
- Potential salary upon completion: £19,000 per annum
Apprenticeship standard
More information about the Level 2 Retailer standard can be found here.
Apprenticeship end point assessment
For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.