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The ‘specialty retailing’ sector includes outlets that offer a combination of products and services.

Examples include hairdressing, beauty products and services; laundry and dry cleaning; photographic goods and services; pets, pet supplies, accessories and grooming; car accessories & tyres; and various repair and maintenance supplies.

Other specialities include health products; hobby supplies; antique and used goods; toys and games; baby equipment and products; and party supplies.

> One-quarter of all retail businesses and one-tenth of all retail employees are in this sector – although two-thirds of businesses turnover less than $200,000.

> Almost 10,500 employees – on average three per business – are slightly more mature in age than the retail average and two-thirds are female.

> The sector has the highest level of technical and trade staff (about four times the industry average) and more support staff, but less management and sales roles.

Sector breakdown

> Personal Care

> Photographic Goods

> Pet Supplies

> Hobby

> Car Assessories / Care

> Toys and Games

> Health Products

SPECiAlTy STOrES SECTOr OvErviEw

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wHAT JObS ArE AvAilAblE?

> Sales assistant

> Cashier

> Storeperson

> Photographic laboratory operator

> beauty advisor

> Dry cleaning / laundry assistant

> Spare parts advisor

> Tyre fitter / salesperson

> Animal attendant

> Dog groomer

> Trainee buyer

> visual merchander

> Team supervisor

> Assistant manager

> Manager

where stores are part of a large chain, there are opportunities to move into specialist executive roles such as distribution, human resources, or marketing.

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CHArACTEriSTiCS SPECiAlTy STOrE SECTOr rETAil SECTOr AvErAGE

Total number of businesses 4139 961

% of businesses with turnover: < $200K, $200K + 66%, 34% 48%, 52%

Number of employees 10449 5885

Employees in management roles 1306 people = 12% 1149 people = 20%

Employees in technical and trade roles 4327 people = 41% 577 people =10%

Employees in sales roles 1618 people = 15% 2464 people = 42%

Employees in support roles 3201 people = 32% 1695 people = 28%

Average no. of employees per business* 3 6

ratio of male to female employees 33% male / 67% female 43% male / 57% female

Age profile breakdown: < 19yrs, 20–39yrs, 40+yrs 9%, 48%, 43% 21%, 42%, 37%

SPECiAlTy STOrES - SA rETAiliNG STATiSTiCAl SNAPSHOT

* This average is representative of all businesses within this sector. A sector with a large number of micro businesses may distort the average.The statistical data used in this publication has been derived from information provided by the Australian bureau of Statistics which includes: C- Data Online 2006 Census collated by State/Territory (STE) and industry of Employment (ANZSiC06) (iND06P) & Catalogue no. 8165.0 – Counts of Australian businesses, including Entries and Exits, Jun 2003 to Jun 2007.

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Name: Ashish Sidhpura Age: 34

Place of Work: Jaycar Electronics Group Role: Assistant Manager

Qualifications: bachelor of Science

Benefits:

i have been working in retail for four years and am currently studying a

Certificate iii in retail. My role as an Assistant Manager involves ordering stock

and balancing tills; as well as rostering, managing and training other staff.

i assist the Manager in other ways too – but interacting with regular customers

is still the most enjoyable part of my work.

because i come from a non-English speaking background, i also had to master

the English language. working in retail certainly helped me do this and develop

personally. i had support to grow my product knowledge and learn how to

demonstrate products to customers. My best advice to anyone working in retail

is to know all your products well.

Estimated salary range for this job role: $41K–$60K

INdustRy sNAP shot

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wHErE DO i STArT?

> Casual staff are needed for busy periods and weekends

> Ask about doing a school-based apprenticeship in retail

> A Certificate ii in retail (no prerequisites) shows your interest in customer service

> A Certificate ii in specialty areas such as animal studies, auto parts interpreting, retail cosmetic services, or a short course in photography shows your interest in the store’s business

QuAliTiES TO GET A JOb

> Strong customer service skills

> Neat, clean appearance

> Good communication skills

> interest in specialty (beauty, cars, pets, toys etc)

> Ability to learn about products and applications

> Good hand-eye coordination

> willing to continually update product knowledge

> No allergic reactions to chemicals (beauty, hairdressing, auto, dry cleaning, pets)

> Enjoy practical work and physically active

7

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from the States

Feature - New Store: Australia’s Most Environmentally Friendly Supermarket - Supa IGA Longford (pictured right)

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8

TASKS & wOrKiNG CONDiTiONS

Tasks will vary depending on the type of specialty store, but customer service skills, housekeeping, merchandising and stock replacement will be common to all.

Salespeople in photographic stores may learn to operate a processing laboratory. Those working in toys and games stores will have considerable contact with children as well as adult customers.

Car accessory salespeople need to develop technical skills to interpret customers’ needs and may develop basic installation skills, while tyre salespeople may need to fit tyres or mag wheels.

Pet store salespeople may handle and feed animals or clean cages.

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QuAliTiES TO GET A JOb?

> Team player

> Excellent personal presentation

> Excellent communication skills

> Good writing skills

> Ability to work under pressure

> Flexibility to deal with unexpected situations

> Keen to learn new skills and about products

> Tact and confidentiality

> Ability to understand regulations and work within rules

> Caring and compassionate

> Attention to detail

> A second language could be an advantage

Want a Career in Retail?

Industry delivered/aligned programs Gain a competitive edge Have your skills recognised

With First Impressions Resources, the Australian Retail College

For more informationcall: 1800 644 332 or visit: www.fir.edu.auFirst Impressions Resources (FIR) is a privately owned

Registered Training Organisation that specialises in providing training to the retail industry, delivering a range of skill development programs to national

retailers, franchise groups and independents.

With Australia wide coverage, we offer innovative and flexible training solutions and delivery options to meet individual and client needs. All FIR trainers have significant retail experience and a passion for

developing people which assists to ensure training is relevant and aligned to industry.

Please contact First Impressions for more information.

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Name: Joshua Thorpe Age: 32

Place of Work: Pencraft Role: Owner/Manager

Qualifications: Certificate iv workplace Trainer and Assessor, Hr Diploma, MGSM

Foundation for Success, Future leaders, business Acumen and Negotiation

Benefits: The management of Pencraft is a diverse role requiring multi-tasking

and the ability to adapt to front and back of house. i enjoy the constant growth of

the business and the challenges that it presents. i have enjoyed developing my

marketing skills which have made it possible to build Pencraft as a brand not

just a retail store or a boutique. As a relatively young business owner you always

have to challenge people’s perception. i have learnt to be more creative and

innovative which have been key components for me to challenge conventional

thinking or even retail behaviour. Good advice i received is to never give up and

always provide the best service. There is a great deal to be learnt in the simple

act of serving others. retail provides you with many life skills and the ability

to adjust and adapt to all walks of life. retail can lead you in to ownership and

management of large businesses. it is a great industry to work in.

Estimated salary range for this job role: $61K-$80K

INdustRy sNAP shot

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Retail is Everywhere | Sectors

EXECUTIVE

PROCURE PRESENT SUPPORT SELL DISTRIBUTE MANAGE

Usually requires the Graduate Certi�cate or higher quali�cation in addition tosigni�cant industry experience

CEO • Regional /Area Manager • Business Owner • State Manager • National Manager • CEO • Regional/Area Manager • Business Owner

Usually requires a level of skill equal to a Diploma and at least5 years experience

Usually a skill level equal to aCerti�cate III or IV quali�cation or at least 3 years experience

Usually a skill level equal to completion of at least Year 10,Certi�cate I or II quali�cation

ENTRY LEVEL

SUPERVISORY

MANAGEMENT Senior BuyerPurchase Manager

Merchandise Manager

BuyerAssistant BuyerTrainee Buyer

Sales Assistant Store Person

Re-�ller

Visual MerchandiserMarketing Manager

Display Manager Head Merchandiser

Visual MerchandiserDisplay Designer

Shop FitterMerchandiser

Night Fill ReplenishmentHousekeeping

Apprentice Shop Fitter

Accountant / Financial ManagerWeb Sales / IT Manager

Loss Prevention ManagerProduct Specialist

Lawyer

Store Maintenance O�cerCredit & Loan O�cer

Loss Prevention SupervisorIT Support Technician

ClerkCustomer Service

Cleaner Loss Prevention O�cer

Marketing ManagerPromotions ManagerAdvertising Manager

Assistant Sales ManagerFloor ManagerTeam Leader

Department Manager

Sales AssistantSales Representative

Logistics ManagerSupply Chain ManagerWarehouse ManagerOperations Manager

Distribution ManagerStoreperson

Despatch Coordinator

Warehouse AttendantForklift OperatorDelivery Driver

Store ManagerHR Manager

Operations ManagerTraining Manager

OHS Supervisor Sta� SupervisorRoster Manager

Training Manager

Some retail jobs involve working

across multiple occupations and

streams. For example the manager of

a small shoe store can be the buyer,

visual merchandiser, sales assistant,

cleaner and staff supervisor.

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wHAT TrAiNiNG iS AvAilAblE?

Retail Qualifications

Certificate ii in retail

Certificate iii in retail

Certificate iv in retail Management

Diploma of retail Management

Diploma of visual Merchandising

Relevant Qualifications From other Industries

Advanced Diploma of business Management

Certificate ii in retail Make-up and Skincare

Certificate ii & iii in Dry Cleaning Operations

Many stores have in-house training relevant to their product range.

Training packages are also available in hairdressing, beauty therapy and nail technology.

Qualifications can be achieved through an Australian Apprenticeship or through a nationally accredited training course.

rElATED SECTOrSDepartment Stores

Discount and variety

wholesale and logistics

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EMPlOyErS

Jaycar Electronics Group

Pencraft

bridgestone Tyres

Diamonds Camera, video & Digital

Kodak Express

Petstock Animal Supplies

Price Attack

rare Spares

Ted’s Cameras

The body Shop

Toys‘r’us

Toyworld

Tip-top

CArEEr iNFOrMATiON

www.aatinfo.com.au

www.jobguide.deewr.gov.au

www.myfuture.edu.au

www.serviceskills.com.au

www.serviceskillssa.com.au

www.workforceinfoservice.sa.gov.au

®

Proudly produced by Service Skills SA © 2011

PH: (08) 8362 6255 www.serviceskillssa.com.au

To find out more about retail careers visit: www.retailexecutive.com.au

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SECTOr SPONSOrS COMMErCiAl PArTNEr

rETAil EXECuTivE PArTNErS

This publication has been produced as an outcome of the retail Executive Master Plan Project which is being proudly facilitated by Service Skills SA and part funded by the South Australian Government through the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science & Technology.

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