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- Manage your own stores or run a store on behalf of a retail chain
- You'll need planning and organisational skills, number skills for handling cash
- You could buy a franchise, or expand or improve your premises or buy another shop
As a shop keeper you'll usually have overall responsibility for a store.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Taking payments
- Giving change and wrapping purchases
- Answering customers' enquiries and giving advice about products
- Listening to customers' needs and requests, which can indicate new sales opportunities
- Calculating takings and wages
- Depositing cash at the bank
- Book-keeping and stocktaking
- Ordering stock from wholesalers, manufacturers, agents and importers
- You'll also need to keep up-to-date with your competitors' prices and products, and regulations covering trading and running a business
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You're likely to work long hours, including evenings and weekends. The work can involve standing for long periods, and lifting and carrying stock.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with planning and organisational skills, number skills for handling cash and keeping accounts, marketing and business skills.
There are no set entry requirements but experience of shop work, sales, administration or management might be useful.
You could do a college course, which may help if you're setting up your own business. Courses include a Level 1 Business Start Up, Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Set Up in a New Business or Level 3 Certificate in Business Essentials.
You can also get into this job through a retail manager higher apprenticeship. This will usually take 18 months to complete. You'll do on the job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
Alternatively you can become a shop keeper by taking over an existing business or opening a franchise. You could also set up your own retail outlet on the high street or online. It'll help if you've got some experience in retail, sales, administration or business management.
You can find advice about setting up and running your own business from Business is Great.
You may also find it useful to join an organisation like the British Independent Retailers Association, for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
CAREER PROSPECTS
You could buy a franchise, or, with experience and an established brand name, you could expand or improve your premises or buy another shop.