Are Retail Jobs becoming a keeper?

[SallyA]

It seems that retail jobs are now becoming a keeper according to an article I read today!

Gone are the times when people use it as a stop gap until they find something else or develope thier careers and move on! People used to jump in and out of retail jobs like hot rockets! But apparently the retention rate for retail jobs has now gone up?

Well this is at Asda (http://www.asda.co.uk/corp/home.html) anyway! According to them 67000 employees have been with the company for 5 years or longer this year! This figure has increased 10% in the last year!

It seems retail is now becoming a more considered career move!

What do you guys think?

[Emily-O]

I think this is a very good thing - it obviously shows that staff are happier in their retail roles now and don't feel the need to move on as soon as possible. I am sure companies are glad that their employees are becoming a lot more loyal as well!! Do you think that retail is considered a more acceptable career these days? And not just a starter job for teenagers?

However could this possibly be due to the recession? When we recover (in many years time) do you think retail will return to a 'quick fix' job?

I know that I wouldn't want to be job hopping at a time like this! If you find a safe job then I advise that you keep it haha! Doesn't job hopping look bad on your CV though? If individuals only stayed in a role for 3/4 months then it can't look good surely?

[m8internet]

Equally this is distrubing as it shows the move away in the economy from manufacturing into service sectors
It is also shows that people prefer job security rather than jumping between jobs

My early CV looks quite scary as I stayed in each job for between 12 and 18 months, it then ends suddenly just 10 years later in 1999 where I went self-employed
I haven't updated it since as I've never needed!

[SallyA]

I think this is a very good thing - it obviously shows that staff are happier in their retail roles now and don't feel the need to move on as soon as possible. I am sure companies are glad that their employees are becoming a lot more loyal as well!! Do you think that retail is considered a more acceptable career these days? And not just a starter job for teenagers?

However could this possibly be due to the recession? When we recover (in many years time) do you think retail will return to a 'quick fix' job?

I know that I wouldn't want to be job hopping at a time like this! If you find a safe job then I advise that you keep it haha! Doesn't job hopping look bad on your CV though? If individuals only stayed in a role for 3/4 months then it can't look good surely?



I think it is a good thing as well as it shows there is room for growth and developement within Retail - I mean they are providing graduate schemes and management programmes so that you can learn new skills and grow within the company - maybe this is where it is all coming from? Perhaps this is why more candidates are staying? As they can comfortable work thier way up the ranks and learn on the job?

Im not sure if this is purely due to the recession or a growing trend and Asda had reported an increase in thier retention rates since 2002 and we weren't in a recession then were we? Maybe its just something that people enjoy?

I agree with you - job hopping at a time like this is not advisable - If you have it stick to it as you just dont know how long it could take to get back into work! If at all right now! It is such a candidate rich market out there right now!

It doesnt look good if you have been in a job for such a short period of time unless you are a contractor and that what you do - just fill in where needed! It shows no commitment and loyalty!

[SallyA]

Equally this is distrubing as it shows the move away in the economy from manufacturing into service sectors
It is also shows that people prefer job security rather than jumping between jobs

My early CV looks quite scary as I stayed in each job for between 12 and 18 months, it then ends suddenly just 10 years later in 1999 where I went self-employed
I haven't updated it since as I've never needed!

So does mine hehe - I job hopped so much when I was younger! Anywhere was lucky to get me for 1 year!

I saw something on the news the other day where they were saying the France and Germany are recovering quicker than the UK as they have stuck with the traditional manufacturing industry whereas as we are suffering die to relying to heavily on the services industry? Do you thibk this affects us then?

[Dark Phoenyx]

its true. Most companies, when they look at your cv, check to see how many jobs youve had over a period of time. Loyalty to a company is always a good thing as they tend to look after you then.

It depends. If we lean towards manufacturing it might not help either. Germany have some of the biggest manufaturers in the world. We have to stick with what were strong in. Well get out of this, its just going to take time and patience. :)

[SallyA]

Yeah I mean I don't think we can suddenly switch to manufacturing now lol - it wouldnt work really would it? Hehe!

We have grown strong in the services industry which also appears to be the hardest hit area - so yes we do need to just grin and bare it and hope we get our heads above water soon! But in some respect would manufacturing have been a better industry to be in right now?

[Iaintwoeyes]

I agree...our staff turnover is considerably down during the last 12-months! Great, saves on recruitment costs and training costs but the main outcome is a more settled familiar workforce.

[SallyA]

I agree...our staff turnover is considerably down during the last 12-months! Great, saves on recruitment costs and training costs but the main outcome is a more settled familiar workforce.

Thats good news - especially to hear it first hand! Do you think its the recession having this affect Iain?

[Iaintwoeyes]

Sorry Sally, missed your reply. Yes, the lack of alternative employment is certainly a factor. We have invested in the employees via training and small alterations to their benefits package, leaving a more satisfied workforce.

I guess when the "recession" is over, that will be the best time to judge the results.

I can say though that we have had numerous customers comment on the fact that they like to see the same faces in our stores. This truly helps forge customer relations and that is a major benefit to the company in the long term.

[SallyA]

I forgot about this thread too hehe!

I suppose for the time being it is a good thing then - saves time and money for the company and the employees are ina more stable job! The customers are a bonus on top of this!

I must admit it is nice to be able to go into your local shops and see the same faces! My local Coop know me by name! LOL! The staff there used to change all the time but haven't for a while!

I can definately see the long term benefits - lets hope it stays this way :)

[abi4retail]

As much as I like retail - as a job market it seems that most people employed in stores are people who are school leavers looking to pass time or college/uni goers trying to earn some extra cash.

I suppose this is why the market seems to have a large turnover of staff.

Its good to hear that employee's are lasting a while at Asda's - I think this might due to the fact the workers are older?

[SallyA]

I think you my have a point there Abi! A lot of supermarket employees do seem to be older dont they?

In my local tesco there are some faces that have been there for years and yes they are older! Still have the usual bunch of teenagers changing every month though hehe! Suppose fior them it just depends on what else pops up?

[abi4retail]

Yea, and I find older women are quite friendly and helpful - so they probably get a good sense of job satisfaction from working in supermarkets as silly as it sounds.

Gives them a chance to have a little chat and its a fairly relaxed enviroment.

[indig]

Possibly due to the fact that companies are now aware of the costs involved in employing new staff in comparison to keeping the same. :)

[SallyA]

I agree with both of you there!

Abi you make a good point there! Whenever we are at the till of a 25+ cashier we chat away while we pack and pay - if its a youngster they mumble thier greeting and then tell you how much you need to pay!

It is a good environment for them most of the time as most of thier customers are nice enough I guess and you can pass the time quite easily as well! (As long as its busy)! Haha!

[Usualsuspect]

Can't help but feel some of these posts are pretty condescending?

[SallyA]

Can't help but feel some of these posts are pretty condescending?

Its not meant like that more its what we have personally experienced?