The retail sector includes any business or individual involved with selling products directly to consumers. According to Statista (2023), approximately 3.5 million people work in the retail industry in the UK. There are many areas that you can work in in the industry. This is not limited to buying, customer service, loss prevention and security, merchandising and allocation, online retail and more.
Here are some top companies that offer early careers programmes:
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to their clients. They offer student internships and graduate jobs for early careers. Check out the array of opportunities that AWS offers here:
https://www.amazon.jobs/content/en/teams/amazon-web-services/early-career
2. Primark
Primark is one of the largest discount fashion chains offering clothes, accessories and homewares for all ages. Primark offers a 12-month placement opportunity at their Dublin HQ.
https://careers.primark.com/early-careers
3. Boohoo
Boohoo is one of the most popular fast-fashion and cosmetic retailers. They offer a range of opportunities, including entry-level jobs, placements, apprenticeships and grad schemes.
https://careers.boohoogroup.com/early-careers
4. Boots
Boots is the largest health and beauty retailer and pharmacy chain in the UK. There are lots of opportunities to learn and develop your career at Boots. Here is more information regarding the placement year and graduate opportunities that Boots offers:
https://www.boots.jobs/early-careers/
5. Lidl
Lidl is an international discount retailer chain that operates over 12,000 stores across the EU. Lidl has a wide range of graduate opportunities, including their retail graduate management programme and their head office graduate management programme.
https://careers.lidl.co.uk/lidl-grads
