Shopkeeper

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• setting up your own business

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course, which may help if you're setting up your own business. Courses include:

• Level 1 Business Start Up
• Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Set Up in a New Business
• Level 2 Retail Skills
• Level 3 Certificate in Business Essentials
• Level 3 Retail Skills Sales Professional

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships relevant to this role include:

• Level 2 Retailer
• Level 3 Retail team leader
• Level 4 Retail manager
• Level 6 Retail leadership

You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

With experience you may be able to run your own shop, take on a franchise or manage a company store.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You can get retail experience through volunteering with charities that operate high street shops.

You can find information on opportunities near you from Do It .

OtherRoutes

You can become a shopkeeper by taking over an existing business or opening a franchise. You could also set up your own retail outlet on the high street or online.

It'll help if you've got some experience in retail, sales, administration or business management.

You can find advice about setting up and running your own business from Business is Great .

Organisations like the Prince's Trust may be able to offer training for running a business if you are aged between 18 and 30.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• leadership skills
• to enjoy working with other people
• the ability to sell products and services
• business management skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• maths knowledge
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• a desire to help people
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Shopkeepers manage their own stores or run stores on behalf of a retail chain.

You could:

• take card and cash payments, give change and wrap purchases
• answer customer enquiries and give advice about products
• connect with customers face-to-face and online, to market your goods and grow your business
• maintain a website for online sales and advertising your goods
• recruit, train and supervise shop assistants
• calculate takings and wages
• deposit cash at the bank, do accounts and stocktake
• order stock from wholesalers, manufacturers, agents and importers

Location : You could work at a store.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

42 - 44 hours variable

Working Pattern is in your own business managing your own hours

Career Path:

You could buy a franchise, or, with experience and an established brand name, you could expand or improve your premises or buy another shop.