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Discount & Variety SECTOR Overview
Discount and variety stores sell goods
such as stationery; clothing; health
and beauty products; confectionery;
some food products; gifts; hardware;
household goods; pet accessories;
holiday decorations; smaller
electrical appliances; novelty toys –
and much more.
These stores are usually self-service
through a check-out system similar
to supermarkets, with the option of
buying products at a lower price
than similar products sold in
department stores.
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>> This is a growing sector with
little accurate statistical data.
>> Enterprises tend to be
medium sized, with higher
management requirements.
>> More than 220 businesses
employ nearly 3,500 people in
South Australia – with slightly
more female staff and a slightly
older age profile than the
industry average.
>> Three of the largest variety retail
businesses each averaged a total
revenue of $3.5 billion in 2006–07.
Discount and variety stores used to
only sell ‘seconds’ or discontinued
lines, but product ranges have
changed and now they focus on
buying in everyday items at
lower prices.
Most operate in chains so they can
buy in bulk to get cheaper wholesale
prices. This means there are also
career opportunities in the business
functions that work together to
support these stores – such as
distribution centres; marketing;
human resources; finance and
information technology.
your career
your career
About Target
AsoneofAustralia’smostsuccessfulretailers,ouraimistomake
stylishlivingaffordableandavailabletoallAustralians.Originating
inGeelongVictoria,whereournationalofficeremainstoday,
wenowboastanetworkofover280TargetandTargetCountrystores
convenientlylocatedacrossmetropolitanandregionalAustralia
andemployover25,000teammembers.
About Target
AsoneofAustralia’smostsuccessfulretailers,ouraimistomake
stylishlivingaffordableandavailabletoallAustralians.Originating
inGeelongVictoria,whereournationalofficeremainstoday,
wenowboastanetworkofover280TargetandTargetCountrystores
convenientlylocatedacrossmetropolitanandregionalAustralia
andemployover25,000teammembers.
Benefits of working at Target
• Learninganddevelopmentprograms
development programs
• Careerprogression
Coles Group including Target, Kmart,
• DiscountswithintheColesGroupincludingTarget,Kmart,
Supermarkets & more
Officeworks,ColesSupermarkets&more
initiatives
• Involvementincommunityinitiatives
• Recognitionprograms
support
• Transfer&relocationsupport
• Teammembersocialclubs
• Greatteamenvironment
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Secure your place NOW
at Australia’s largest
careers, education &
employment event in 2011
Benefits of working at Target
Learninganddevelopmentprograms
Careerprogression
DiscountswithintheColesGroupincludingTarget,Kmart,
Officeworks,ColesSupermarkets&more
Involvementincommunityinitiatives
Recognitionprograms
Transfer&relocationsupport
Teammembersocialclubs
Greatteamenvironment
Canberra :
Melbourne :
Sydney :
Brisbane :
Adelaide :
Perth :
Darwin :
Hobart :
25 - 26 March
16 - 17 April
6 - 7 May
13 - 14 May
27 - 28 May
17 - 18 June
5 - 6 August
12 - 13 August
What makes ?
you happy
What makes ?
you happy
www.target.com.au
www.target.com.au
Call 1300 667 121 or visit
www.eocexpo.com.au
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Discount & Variety SA STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT
Characteristics
DISCOUNT & VARIETY Sector
Retail Sector Average
Total number of businesses
513
961
Number of employees
3444
5885
1042 people = 30%
1149 people = 20%
128 people = 4%
577 people =10%
Employees in sales roles
1616 people = 47%
2464 people = 42%
Employees in support roles
659 people = 19%
1695 people = 28%
Average employees per business*
15
6
Ratio of male to female employees
36% male / 64% female
43% male /57% female
17%, 40%, 43%
21%, 42%, 37%
Employees in management roles
Employees in technical and trade roles
Age profile breakdown: < 19yrs, 20–39yrs, 40+yrs
* This average is representative of all businesses within this sector. A sector with a large number of micro businesses may distort the average.
The statistical data used in this publication has been derived from information provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics which includes: C- Data Online 2006 Census collated by State/Territory
(STE) and Industry of Employment (ANZSIC06) (IND06P) & Catalogue no. 8165.0 – Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits, Jun 2003 to Jun 2007.
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What Jobs
are available?
>> Sales assistant
>> Visual merchandiser
>> Receiving or
despatch coordinator
>> Clerical or administrative worker
>> Shop fitting and
maintenance worker
>> Store manager
>> Executive or regional roles in
administration, advertising,
finance, distribution, human
resources, information
technology, purchasing,
property and leasing
Where do I start?
>> Apply for casual work leading up
to busy periods
>> Ask about doing a school-based
Traineeship in Retail
>> Show your interest in specific
support departments such as
distribution or human resources
>> A Certificate II in Retail (no
prerequisites) says you want
a career
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Qualities to
get a job
Tasks & working
conditions
>> Enjoy working with people
Sales assistants usually work in
all areas of the store in customer
service; merchandising stock;
housekeeping; and using cash
registers – so there is plenty of variety
throughout the shift.
>> Neat appearance
>> Friendly and able to
communicate well
>> Able to handle cash and learn
how to operate a register
>> A positive attitude –
‘bright’, ‘bubbly’
>> Energetic
>> Committed to customer service
>> Honest
>> Reliable
>> Able to work unsupervised
>> Flexibility
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Good customer service is important,
while work ‘behind the scenes’ could
be clerical or helping to unload
supplier trucks or despatching goods
to other stores.
Managers and supervisors will also
work across the whole store, so team
members are expected to go on with
their tasks without direct supervision.
Larger chains have structured
training programs available to help
staff move along career pathways
– and most store managers started
their careers as hourly-paid staff.
INDUSTRY SNAP SHOT
Name: Jenna Bruno
Age: 20
Place of Work: Target
Role: Sales Assistant Sound Department
Qualifications: currently studying Human resources at university
Benefits: i have been in retail for six years, starting in high school and now
working full-time while on a break from university. i like dealing with people
and there is always something new to learn and do.
The industry is expanding and – especially working in the sound department
– there is always some sort of new technology to learn. My role includes
customer service, telecommunications, liaising with reps, stock control,
merchandise display and knowing how to get the most out of the products. i
love the diversity in working with people on a day-to-day basis. it’s not just a
cash register – you get to expand on your knowledge and you can take this into
your personal life as well.
Estimated salary range for this job role: $21k–$40k
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Retail is Everywhere | Sectors
EXECUTIVE
Usually requires the Graduate Certificate
or higher qualification in addition to
significant industry experience
MANAGEMENT
Usually requires a level of skill
equal to a Diploma and at least
5 years experience
SUPERVISORY
Usually a skill level equal to a
Certificate III or IV qualification
or at least 3 years experience
ENTRY LEVEL
Usually a skill level equal to
completion of at least Year 10,
Certificate I or II qualification
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CEO • Regional /Area Manager • Business Owner • State Manager • National Manager • CEO • Regional/Area Manager • Business Owner
Senior Buyer
Purchase Manager
Merchandise Manager
Visual Merchandiser
Marketing Manager
Display Manager
Head Merchandiser
Accountant / Financial Manager
Web Sales / IT Manager
Loss Prevention Manager
Product Specialist
Lawyer
Marketing Manager
Promotions Manager
Advertising Manager
Logistics Manager
Supply Chain Manager
Warehouse Manager
Operations Manager
Store Manager
HR Manager
Operations Manager
Training Manager
Buyer
Assistant Buyer
Trainee Buyer
Visual Merchandiser
Display Designer
Shop Fitter
Merchandiser
Store Maintenance Officer
Credit & Loan Officer
Loss Prevention Supervisor
IT Support Technician
Assistant Sales Manager
Floor Manager
Team Leader
Department Manager
Distribution Manager
Storeperson
Despatch Coordinator
OHS Supervisor
Staff Supervisor
Roster Manager
Training Manager
Sales Assistant
Store Person
Re-filler
Night Fill Replenishment
Housekeeping
Apprentice Shop Fitter
Clerk
Customer Service
Cleaner
Loss Prevention Officer
Sales Assistant
Sales Representative
Warehouse Attendant
Forklift Operator
Delivery Driver
PROCURE
PRESENT
SUPPORT
SELL
DISTRIBUTE
MANAGE
SA Retail Careers Atlas 2010 > 49
wHAT TrAining iS
AVAiLABLE?
rELATED SEcTorS
certificate ii in retail
Department stores
certificate iii in retail
Specialty retail stores
certificate iV in retail Management
newsagents, stationery and
bookshops
Diploma of retail Management
Diploma of Visual Merchandising
Advanced Diploma of Business
Management
wholesale & Logistics
Fashion, clothing & Footwear
certificates ii, iii and iV in Transport
and Logistics (warehousing and
Storage)
There are a number of other
certificates, Diplomas and Advanced
Diplomas available in other speciality
fields such as advertising or
marketing.
Qualifications can be achieved
through a Traineeship in retail or
through a nationally accredited
training course.
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EMPLOYERS
CAREER INFORMATION
Big W
www.employment.sa.gov.au/employ
Browse In and Save
www.aatinfo.com.au
Cheap as Chips
Cunningham’s Warehouse
Crazy Clark’s
Go-Lo
www.myfuture.edu.au
www.jobguide.dest.gov.au
www.rejectshop.com.au/careers
Target
www.wowcareers.com.au/wowcareers/bigw/home
The Reject Shop
www.retailadventures.com.au
(go to Careers & Employment or RAPL Learning Academy)
To find out more about retail careers visit: www.retailexecutive.com.au
Proudly produced by Service Skills SA
PH: (08) 8362 6255 www.serviceskillssa.com.au
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®
COMMERCIAL PARTNER
RETAIL EXECUTIVE PARTNERS
This publication has been produced as an outcome of the Retail Executive Master Plan Project which is being proudly facilitated by Service Skills SA and
part funded by the South Australian Government through the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science & Technology.
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