You may be terrified that working in the retail industry might remind you of that awful nightmare about that one part-time job you did in high school, but you can’t be any more wrong about this. Contrary to your belief, retail jobs in South Africa offer an array of benefits that you may rarely have thought of.
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Moreover, with the many possible roles to choose from, you can put your skills and knowledge to good use. In fact, the retail industry provides a lot of room for improvement especially for your career development regardless of your passion. This is in large part because retail is such a huge industry. Hence, it should not be unlikely for you to explore the wide variety of positions available.
However, before finding out what retail jobs are generally offered by multi-millionaire wholesale businesses in South Africa, it is wise to examine whether you are actually the perfect candidate for the vast industry.
The Qualifications You Need to Work in Wholesale & Retail
Of course, the qualifications one must fulfil to work in the retail industry will depend largely on what role one chooses. However, according to The Balance Careers, there are at least eight general skills that you must master to set yourself apart from the crowd and boost your odds of being hired:
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1. Sales
Of course, you must be able to sell things to be a successful retailer. Customers must be persuaded that specific things are worthwhile by retail employees who must be convincing and persistent. Thus, you must be able to clearly explain and advertise the company’s items to customers.
2. Business Awareness
Understanding how a business or industry runs is referred to as business awareness. As a retail employee, you must be knowledgeable about the corporation you work for, the products you offer, and the kind of consumers who buy them.
3. Basic Computer Skills
Many retail jobs today include the use of computers and mobile devices, so it’s critical to show that you know how to use technology when applying for a job in retail. You may be required to use an electronic register, credit card processor, or Point of Sale (POS) system. To examine purchasing and other consumer behaviours, you may need to employ a management information system.
Furthermore, knowing how to operate a computer will certainly provide you with a significant position at work, regardless of what role you have in the retail industry.
4. Interpersonal Skills
Working in retail entails engaging with a variety of people, including customers, coworkers, employers, and other vendors. As a result, you must be able to maintain a cheerful demeanour while dealing with disgruntled shoppers as a retail worker.
5. Communication
Nearly all retail jobs in South Africa require excellent communication abilities. People who work in retail must be able to communicate with consumers, purchasers, coworkers, and employers. Speaking clearly and successfully with others is a sign of good communication skills.
Besides, active listening is an important part of effective communication. This is especially true when dealing with customers. You must be able to listen to what a buyer wants or needs and provide as much assistance as possible.
6. Attention to Detail
Retail employees must pay attention to detail, whether it’s ensuring that a customer receives exact change, keeping store items well-stocked, or maintaining that products are appropriately presented. Hence, when it comes to attracting customers to a product, having a keen eye for detail is essential.
7. Customer Service
Almost all highest-paying retail jobs in South Africa require excellent customer service skills. Retail staff, in particular, must be upbeat and helpful to assist individuals in making purchases and resolving any problems they may have while shopping.
8. Numeracy
Another key talent in retail is numeracy, or the ability to understand numbers. You’ll need to conduct basic math, figure up prices, put up discounts, give clients change, count goods, and more. Also, you may need to forecast stock needs or calculate sales values based on consumer data trends.
It is possible if you do not naturally carry the above abilities. However, there are many ways to improve your skills rapidly. First, you can take online courses that offer classes primarily in being a retail worker.
Or, if you prefer to be directly involved in the process and put into practice what you get from your instructor, you should apply for a learnership programme specially tailored for students with aspirations to become a retail worker.
For example, you can gain an NQF qualification by completing Kukhula learnerships in Wholesale & Retail Operations. To make things better, you don’t have to pay for it, unlike most online courses that are offered on a paid basis.
Common Roles in the Retail Industry
When considering work opportunities, it’s critical to think about roles that are a good fit for your skills, interests, and where you’re at in your career. That being said, a job that is ideal for one individual may not be ideal for another. It all relies on your abilities and interests, as well as what you hope to gain from your job.
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Cashier jobs, for instance, are sometimes low-paying yet allow you to work a flexible schedule around school or other obligations. Retail sales associates can make more money, especially if they have the option of receiving a commission. However, you’ll need excellent interpersonal skills as well as the ability to seal a deal.
Below is an overview of some of the most common retail jobs in South Africa:
1. Advertising & Marketing Manager
This position is critical for bringing customers into the stores. You’ll help with marketing ideas that will lead customers to the company’s brick and mortar store and website.
2. Buyer
A buyer is the store’s representative. You’re in charge of choosing and negotiating the items that will be sold in the store. When dealing with wholesalers to decide what to stock up on, your outstanding interpersonal skills will come in helpful.
3. Cashier
When people hear “retail jobs,” they immediately think of this occupation. It is hands-on, and you will have the opportunity to communicate with a variety of customers. Yes, even the problematic ones.
4. Customer Service Representative
Have you ever had a horrible customer service encounter and didn’t know what to do about it? Make other customers happy by becoming a customer service representative. This work will assist you in honing your ability to deal with even the most demanding customers.
5. Floor Manager
It might be tough to keep track of every employee even within a store. That’s where the role of the floor manager comes in. You’ll be the go-between, communicating with other team leaders and keeping everyone informed.
6. Inventory Manager
If you’re a stickler for details, becoming an inventory manager could be your calling! Use your organizing skills to keep track of what’s sold and what’s not in your store.
7. Logistics
This is an “everything” profession for folks with a diverse set of skills. Checking that the business complies with all regulations and requirements, keeping track of order cycles and stock shipments, and helping the store to accomplish sales targets are just a few of the responsibilities. This is the perfect job for you if you’re the type who can do a little bit of everything.
8. Loss Prevention Manager
Theft and stolen items are dealt with through loss prevention. It’s a role that requires a keen eye and an analytical mind, and it entails keeping track of things that aren’t selling well in order to ensure that the store keeps on track and eliminates its losses.
9. Retail Warehouse Worker
A retail warehouse worker, like a stocker, is responsible for packing and transporting stock that will be sold in stores. You may be required to perform some heavy lifting as well as fast inspections of items for faults that were accidentally overlooked.
10. Sales Associate
Of course, a sales associate’s job is to sell the store’s products. A fantastic salesperson will go above and above to provide amazing customer service and establish trust between the store and the consumer.
11. Security Guard
Customers might be challenging at times, which is where the security guard comes in. A security guard job may be appropriate for you if you’re strong and willing to stand your ground in a store.
12. Stocker
A stocker must unpack, label, and shelf products from the inventory, which is another role ideal for a detail-oriented person. You could also assist consumers with placing orders and requests for out-of-stock items.
13. Store Manager
A career as a store manager may be ideal for you if you’re the responsible sort that loves to tackle everything at once. However, to be considered for this role, you must have prior retail experience. Furthermore, the more you understand about each job that aids in the operation of a store, the better.
List of Companies Actively Hiring Retail Jobs in South Africa
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We’ve rounded up some of the fastest-growing retail businesses in South Africa and listed which retail jobs from these corporations are popular with job seekers and their estimated average salary. Since this list is not constructed in any particular order, you can take it as a reference before submitting your next application.
1. Woolworths
Industry: Department, Clothing, & Shoe Stores
Size: 10,000+ Employees
Popular Roles with Job Seekers:
- Cashier
- Sales Assistant
- System Analyst
Average Salary: R276,444 (annually)
Benefits:
- Flexible hours of working
- Employee discount
Woolworths Holdings Limited is a South African chain of retail stores and one of the largest in the country. It is modelled after Marks & Spencer of the United Kingdom.
The first department store opened in The Old Royal Hotel in Cape Town in 1931 and was founded by a gentleman named Max Sonnenberg. It operates through both corporate and franchise stores throughout South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Various store formats include full-line stores, food stand-alone stores, food and homeware lifestyle stores, and stores offering textiles such as clothing, footwear, and homewares. In-store cafes offer organic teas and coffee as well as light meals while some stores also offer tapas bars.
In 2015, Woolworths has acclaimed as the best store for customer care in accordance with the South African Customer Index.
2. SPAR Group
Industry: Grocery Stores & Supermarkets
Size: N/A
Popular Roles with Job Seekers:
- Sales Assistant
- Merchandiser
- Store Manager
- Cashier
- District Manager
- Operations Manager
Average Salary: R214,064 (annually)
Benefits:
- Flexible working hours
- Easy work
- Good support and guidance
This supermarket chain is a Dutch multinational retail chain and franchise brand with approximately 12,500 stores in 42 countries. The company was founded in 1932 by Adriaan van Well. Through its affiliate organizations, Spar operates in most parts of Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia and Oceania. It is headquartered in Amsterdam.
In July of 2014, Spar Group South Africa opened its first supermarket in Angola. In August 2014, the group acquired 80 per cent of the BWG Group, which had outlets in Ireland and southwest England. This helped it soar to the number three position among South African retailers.
3. ShopRite
Industry: N/A
Size: 201 to 500 Employees
Popular Roles with Job Seekers: N/A
Average Salary: R227,891 (annually)
Benefits: N/A
ShopRite Holdings is Africa’s largest food retailer. It operates 2,843 supermarkets in 15 countries serving 35 million customers across Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. The company is headquartered in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Its primary business is food retailing to consumers of all income levels with the goal of providing all communities in Africa with food and household items in a world-class shopping environment but at the lowest possible prices.
As of 2019, the company employs approximately 147,000 people.
4. Pick n Pay
Industry: N/A
Size: 10,000+ Employees
Popular Roles with Job Seekers:
- Trainee Manager
- Shelf Packer
- Cashier
- Copywriter
- Secretary
- Demand Planner
Average Salary: R257,857 (annually)
Benefits:
- Medical aid
- Opportunity to study through the courses they offer in the company
- Bursaries
- Share scheme
Pick n Pay is the second-largest supermarket chain store in South Africa. It was established in 1967. It can also be found in other regions of South Africa such as Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia, and Mauritius.
The supermarket behemoth was founded by Jack Goldin, who was born in Obeliai, Lithuania but moved to South Africa when the Nazis invaded his hometown. Raymond Ackerman purchased three Pick n Pay supermarkets (in Cape Town) from Goldin and, today, Ackerman’s son Gareth currently serves as CEO of the company.
5. The Foschini Group
Industry: Department, Clothing, & Shoe Stores
Size: 5,001 to 10,000 Employees
Popular Roles with Job Seekers:
- Sales Associate
- Test Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Store Manager
Average Salary: R247,640 (annually)
Benefits:
- Great culture and promotes work-life balance
- Opportunities for growth and development
- Offers decent discount across the brands
Foschini Group is a South African retail clothing group, which trades under various brands and has more than 3,000 stores within its portfolio. It is headquartered in Parow near Cape Town.
6. Truworths
Industry: Department, Clothing, & Shoe Stores
Size: 10,000+ Employees
Popular Roles with Job Seekers:
- Trainee Planner
- Merchandise Planner
- Trainee Buyer
- Merchant Assistant
- Graduate Trainee
Average Salary: R253,238 (annually)
Benefits:
- Lots of learning opportunities
- Great work environment
- Good training offered
- Customer loyalty
Truworths is a Cape Town-based, South African clothing retailer, with 728 stores in South Africa, and 49 elsewhere in Africa. Founded as The Alliance Trading Company in 1917, Truworths sells clothing under a number of different brands, employs over 11,000 people, and generates over R18 billion in annual revenue.
7. Superbalist.com
Industry: Department, Clothing, & Shoe Stores
Size: 201 to 500 Employees
Popular Roles with Job Seekers: Supply Chain Analyst
Average Salary: N/A
Benefits:
- Great growth opportunities
- Flexible working hours
- Remote work option
- Generous leave structure
Superbalist.com is a South African online fast-fashion retailer. The company was founded in 2010 and sells clothes, shoes and beauty products to women, men and children. It also offers homeware.
Superbalist recently merged with Spree to create the biggest online fashion platform in South Africa. It is part of South Africa’s leading online retail group, Takealot, which is owned by Naspers
8. Target
Industry: General Merchandise & Superstores
Size: 10,000+ Employees
Popular Roles with Job Seekers:
- Store Manager
- Security Specialist
- Executive Team Leader
- Store Director
- Seasonal Team Member
- Operations Manager
- Cashier
Average Salary: R235,741 (annually)
Benefits:
- Good pay
- Nice management team
- Discount on most things
Target Corporation is an American retail corporation. The eighth-largest retailer in the United States, it is a component of the S&P 500 Index. As of 2019, Target operated 1,844 stores throughout the United States. The company is ranked number 37 on the 2020 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.
9. H&M
Industry: Department, Clothing, & Shoe Stores
Size: 10,000+ Employees
Popular Roles with Job Seekers:
- Sales Advisor
- Department Manager
- Store Manager
- Visual Merchandiser
- Business Controller
- Sales Associate
- Business Trainee
Average Salary: R176,941 (annually)
Benefits:
- Good working culture
- Great benefits
- Good staff discounts
H&M is a Swedish multinational clothing retail company known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers, and children. As of November 2019, H&M operates in 74 countries with over 5,000 stores under the various company brands, with 126,000 full-time equivalent positions.
It is the second-largest global clothing retailer, behind Spain-based Inditex (parent company of Zara). Founded by Erling Persson and run by his son Stefan Persson and Helena Helmersson, the company makes its online shopping available in 33 countries.
10. Dis-Chem Pharmacies
Industry: Pharmacies & Health Shops
Size: 1,001 to 5,000 Employees
Popular Roles with Job Seekers: N/A
Average Salary: N/A
Benefits: N/A
Dis-Chem is the second-largest retail pharmacy chain in South Africa, with 165 stores, plus 4 in Namibia and 1 in Botswana. The chain had total revenue of 21.4 billion South African rands in 2019. Dis-Chem has private label products, sells via the Internet, operates a loyalty programme, and the group has a wholesale division.