Is Department/Specialty Retail Stores a Good Career Path? We have also outlined here the best paying jobs in department/specialty retail stores that you can apply for.
The retail industry has the largest number of employees in the US. It is the second largest employment industry in the US. According to TextKernel, there were about 15.4 million retail workers in 2020. Although many retail jobs do not require a college degree, some positions require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
The retail stores come in department and specialty forms. This article will look at the best-paying jobs in department/specialty retail stores. Firstly, let’s see what a department and specialty retail store entails.
The Concept of Department/Specialty Retail Stores
Department/specialty retail stores are a type of retail store that sell goods in categories that are not as broad or general as the categories sold by mass merchandisers. For example, clothing retailers like The Gap and Ann Taylor are department stores because they sell clothing for women, men, and children. On the other hand, specialty retailers like Apple only sell one category of goods (computers) or one type of item within that category (electronics).
Department stores often have multiple locations as well as an online presence. They usually have branded merchandise and exclusive designs so that you won’t find these items anywhere else. Department stores can be divided into different categories based on their target audience, including children’s clothing stores like Children’s Place, women’s clothing stores like Ann Taylor, and men’s clothing stores like the Banana Republic.
Specialty retail stores sell certain types of merchandise exclusively or in limited supply. Examples include art galleries and antique shops; clothing boutiques; bookstores; sporting goods stores; pet shops; toy stores; gift shops; music stores; candy shops and cigar stores; wine merchants; florists; kitchen appliance dealerships (for example, refrigerators); hardware stores; small appliances dealerships (for example, microwaves); shoe repair shops and optometrists’ offices.
Is Department/Specialty Retail Stores a Good Career Path?
Yes, department/specialty retail stores is a good career part in the US. Retail is one of the largest sectors in the US economy, with over 15 million people employed in various jobs as stated by TextKernel.
This is a good career path because it will teach you how to work with people and help them find what they need in a store. You will also learn about different types of products and their uses so that when someone comes into the store looking for something specific, you can help them find it quickly.
I’ve worked for a department store for a few years, and I’m not planning to leave anytime soon. There are some downsides of working in retail, though: you’re always on your feet (unless you’re an assistant manager), you have to deal with customers who are rude or just plain stupid at times, and sometimes it can be stressful if there are too many customers in the store at once or if another employee isn’t doing their job correctly. But this helps you be a better salesperson and customer care personnel.
Requirements For Department/Specialty Retail Stores Career Path and Jobs
While some retail jobs are entry-level and do not require much education or experience, many others require extensive training and education. Some of the compulsory basic skills required to work in department/specialty retail stores include good interpersonal relationship and communication skills, cash handling, and basic mathematical skill.
Department stores are a great place to start your career. The pay is usually good, and you have a lot of room to grow within the company. This is the way to go if you’re looking for a career path that can lead to management.
This is a good career path because it will teach you how to work with people and help them find what they need in a store. You will also learn about different types of products and their uses so that when someone comes into the store looking for something specific, you can help them find it quickly.
I’ve worked for a department store for a few years, and I’m not planning to leave anytime soon. There are some downsides of working in retail, though: you’re always on your feet (unless you’re an assistant manager), you have to deal with customers who are rude or just plain stupid at times, and sometimes it can be stressful if there are too many customers in the store at once or if another employee isn’t doing their job correctly. But this helps you be a better salesperson and customer care personnel.
Highest / Best Paying Jobs in Department/Specialty Retail Stores
Below are some of the best-paying jobs in department/specialty retail stores that you can get started with.
1. Sales Associates
Sales associates are one of the best paying jobs in department/specialty retail stores because they are the first contact with customers and help them to make the right purchases. Sales associates earn a median annual wage of $20,710, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
However, The BLS expects job growth for sales associates to slow down during the 2020s due to increased automation and digital means of selling. In addition, many companies are implementing self-checkout lines to cut costs.
2. Front-end Cashiers
Front-end cashiers handle receipts and payments in a department/specialty retail store. They earn a median annual wage of $20,390. It is one of the highest-paying jobs in department/specialty retail stores that you can apply for today.
This career path in department/specialty retail stores requires basic communication skills, cash handling, basic maths, and good interpersonal relationship skill to function since you’ll be having direct contact with the customer.
3. Stock workers
Stock workers as the name implies are department specialty retail store workers who help manage, organize, and retrieve stocks from the warehouse and ensure that orders are delivered right on time. They earn a median annual wage of $19,900.
An average store has at least 5-20 stock workers who ensure goods are properly maintained for expiries, counterfeits, stock taking, and other basic merchandising.
4. Pharmacists
According to the BLS, pharmacists had an average salary of $124,840. Pharmacists oversee the distribution of medications and advise patients on their use. They are examples of specialty retail stores. They also advise patients on their health conditions and refer them to other healthcare professionals if necessary.
5. Computer Systems Analysts
Computer systems analysts earned an average annual salary of $93,730 in 2020 and therefore are one of the highest paying jobs in department/specialty retail stores.
Their responsibilities include using information technology to solve business problems and collecting data on existing systems so they can be improved or replaced by new ones. There are increasingly becoming important in the retail industry.
6. Marketing Managers
A marketing manager is currently the highest paying job in department special retail stores since they are in charge of ensuring sales are constantly coming into the company.
Marketing managers earned an average annual salary of $113,247 as of 2022. Their responsibilities include developing a marketing strategy for their company. They required educational qualifications such as marketing, social science, or public administration related to qualifying.
Other skills required are analytical thinking, marketing skills, working experience, and other grounded requirements.
7. Assistant Store Manager
The median base salary for this job is $40,000 per year. On top of that, the company offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, paid time off, and more.
This job role is among the highest paying in department retail stores and requires good managerial and leadership skills to function since you’ll be working closely with the general manager or director to perform your duty.
8. Grocery Store Manager
The grocery store manager is charged with planning and directing the daily activities of the grocery store. They have an annual median salary of $81,200.
The grocery store manager has other employees working under him making it a very tasking role. It is one of the highest-paying roles in this industry.
9. Retail Sales Managers
Retail sales managers are in high demand in department/specialty retail stores. They earn an average salary of $75,000 and are tasked with supervising a team of sales representatives and offering top-notch support to customers.
10. Specialty Store Managers
They earn a median annual salary of $64,800 and manage a store or a section of a store that deals with one particular line of products.
As a specialty store manager, you have the responsibility to oversee the entire affairs of the store. Your responsibilities also include store management, new recruits training in a store under your supervision, and carrying out regular store checkups to ensure things are in order.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Does It Take To Become A Department/Specialty Retail Store Manager?
It usually takes five years of experience working in a similar position before becoming a department/specialty retail store manager, but this varies by company policy and location.
However, the minimum years of experience can start from 2 years and above or 0-2 years for trainee specialty store managers.
What Clothes Should You Wear To An Interview In A Department/Specialty Retail Store?
Dress professionally for all interviews, whether with an upscale department store or not. If possible, wear something similar to what you would wear on the job. If you’re interviewing at a casual clothing store, try to find something that reflects the store’s style without being too trendy or showy.
What questions might be asked during an interview at a specialty retail store?
You may be asked questions about your past job experiences, why you want to work at this particular company, and how you would handle certain situations in retail settings.
For example, if someone steals an item from one of your stores and comes back later, claiming they forgot to pay for it but have since remembered paying for it online when making another purchase, what would you do in this situation? You may also be asked about any customer service skills.
Expect to be asked about your relationship with coworkers and how you would react to certain conditions and situations as they unleash.
How do I get a job in a retail store?
The best way to get a job in retail is by applying directly to the company you want to work for. If you don’t see any open positions on their website, email them and ask if they’re hiring.
If they have an HR department, send your resume to that address. If not, send it to the general email address of the store or restaurant you’re interested in working at.
What kinds of jobs are available at department stores?
Most positions at department stores are cashiers, sales associates, and stockers/returns specialists (who help customers return defective merchandise). However, management positions are also available for people who want to advance within the company and become store managers or district managers (who manage multiple stores).
If you are interested in the department store industry but don’t want to work for someone else. What you are looking for must be to open a small store like a boutique by yourself. For example, enamel pins that are popular now are a good choice. Choosing customization will be more beneficial, which could help you adjust your products according to the trend at all times to reduce the risk of stockpiling. You can customize any elements into pins, like popular anime, sports players, etc, for good selling.
You can complete your customization at GS-JJ, which offers a variety of custom products such as pins, double-sided coins, keychains, etc., then free design and fast shipping. Go Website.
In A Nutshell;
Retail stores are one of the biggest employers of labor in the United States. To start a career in a department/specialty retail store, go through the list of best paying jobs in department/specialty retail stores as explained above and choose any that suits you more. Working in department/specialty retail stores is an excellent way to start your career path, especially if you want to go into customer care, salesperson, or management.
