A new National Retail Federation (NRF) study finds the skills developed working in the retail business are attractive to hiring managers in other industries. While it may be good news for retail workers that they have options outside of the industry, the findings seem counter the industry's push to get more workers thinking of retail as a career.
According to research, 69 percent of those surveyed said skills such as the ability to work with different people, take direction, multi-task and have the willingness to "step up" were all transferable to jobs in other businesses. Seventy-four percent of hiring managers also appreciate that retail industry workers are willing to start at the ground floor and work their way up.
"The retail industry serves as the 'farm team' for our country's labor force," said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of NRF, in a statement. "Each year, millions of workers feed into retail's great meritocracy to learn the benefits of hard work and dedication. These are the true building blocks for advancement, growth and fulfillment that lead to successful careers."
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In a piece for Stores Magazine, Mr. Shay wrote, "Those who have moved on to other fields agreed that their retail experience made it possible. Virtually all said they used their former retail managers as references; four out of five said the recommendations of those managers helped them land their new jobs."
The NRF survey, conducted by GfK Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, found a high level of work satisfaction among current retail industry workers. Seventy-nine percent said they are "happy working in retail" with 78 percent reporting they are "satisfied" in their current positions. Sixty percent of those surveyed said they have been promoted while working in the industry and 85 percent have received a raise.