Retail

It’s an exciting time to consider a career in the retail sector, which continues to evolve and grow following the impact of the digital revolution and the pandemic on our shopping habits.

Sector insights

The retail industry is vast and vital to the UK economy, employing over three million workers¹. With a third of consumer spending going through shops, the total value of UK retail sales in 2021 was £421 billion².

Many consumers now prefer shopping online to spending money in physical stores, and these habits have provided growth in areas such as warehousing and storage operations.

These changes to meet consumer habits have also meant that digital skills are now required in up to 79%of UK retail jobs³. This is causing a skills gap, with the majority of retail leaders struggling to find people with the right capabilities in digital.

NCFE’s retail qualifications offer your learners the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding required to succeed in this sector, including areas of digital expertise.

Qualification spotlight

We offer a range of qualifications to ensure that learners achieve excellence on their journey within the retail industry, so that they’re set up for successful careers in the field. Some of our most popular qualifications include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Retail Operations
• Level 2 Certificate in Retail Skills
• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Customer Service
• Level 2 Diploma in Customer Service
• Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Customer Service
• Level 3 Diploma in Skills for Business: Retail
• Level 3 Diploma in Customer Service

¹Overview of the retail sector in the UK https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/retail/overview-of-the-retail-sector-in-the-uk
²Top 10 stats and facts about the UK retail sector https://www.retaileconomics.co.uk/library-retail-stats-and-facts
³Data: UK retail skills gap at crisis point https://www.retail-week.com/people/data-uk-retail-skills-gap-at-crisis-point/7034214.article?authent=1