According to estimates, the current retail market in India is worth one trillion and may double by 2032 with an expected workforce of over 5 crores
Dwijendra Kumar
An unprecedented growth has been witnessed in the retail sector in India, making it the fourth largest in the world.
While big shopping malls have been mushrooming in metropolises for quite some time, state capitals across the country, as well as other major cities, have not remained untouched. Big retail shops selling lifestyle products to essential items now adorn the nooks and corners of such cities. People could be seen thronging them in their best looks.
So the concept of marketing and market place has gone under change with people mixing purchasing with fun. They like to shop, availing of discounts and then splurging their money on food items.
Some of the big retail houses having a countrywide presence are Pantaloons, Big Bazaar, Reliance Trends, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, Trent, Decathlon, Future Group, V2, Ethos, Tanishq, H&M, Shoppers Stop, Vijay Sales, Croma, D Mart, PUMA etc.
According to estimates, the current retail market in India is worth one trillion and may double by 2032 with an expected workforce of over 5 crores. At present, this sector is said to be contributing approximately ten per cent to the country’s GDP and employs over 3 crore people.
The growth of the retailing sector has its positive impact on job creations and opportunities. In fact, retailing has become top recruiting sector after agriculture and textiles. These opportunities are not limited to marketing field but also merchandising, information technology, public relations, visual merchandising, accounting and billing, security services etc.
Below is low down on each of these job avenues:
Marketing:
Each retail outlet needs to have trained marketing professionals to make purchasing easier for the customers. They talk to the customers to know their requirements and then make the items of their choice easily available to them. Lesser the time taken by customers more will be the flow of the new ones.
Merchandising:
Merchandisers deal with distributors, owners and stockists of various items available for sale. Their job is to ensure timely supply of the quality products at best prices.
Information Technology:
The operations in a retail house are today completely automated. Billing is done through computer wherein all the information relating to various products are stored. Today the bills need to mention GST amount charged from the customers. Further, information relating to stocks of various items are stored and updated on regular basis. So, there is opportunity for trained IT professionals in this industry.
Media and Communications:
A retail house doesn’t need to be only customer friendly but also need to create awareness about the outlet and its products in the neighborhood and surrounding areas. So, they require to send messages about latest products and offers using messenger on mobile or via email and various other digital outreach platforms and tools including social media. They may prepare brochures and leaflets also and get them distributed.
Visual Merchandising:
Retail stores need to look elegant to entice the visitors and prospective customers. Visual merchandisers work on the display of the products and the exteriors of the retail stores to create a tempting impact.
Accounting and Billing:
Customers need to be provided with bills against every purchase. Further, the money collected through sales must be accounted for. So, there will always be the need for full time billing and accounts professionals in the retails business.
Security Services:
To manage the visitors to the stores and to ensure that nothing is stolen, each retail house needs to have adequate number of security personnel.
The retail sector in India is booming. So, it will create wide opportunities for employment in the coming days.
(Dwijendra Kumar is a Mass Communication Professional who writes on fashion, lifestyle & communication. He has also authored books on fashion design & textiles. Views are personal)
