The retail market in general is job-candidate short and buyers with grocery or fresh-food experience are in high demand, according to the latest ‘Hays Quarterly Report’.
Hays Retail Regional Director Eliza Kirkby says that given the limited pool of candidates, many employers are considering applicants at a slightly lower level than a role requires and giving them the opportunity to be trained into the position.
“The main requirement is that the candidate is the right fit,” she said.
In addition to grocery buyers, there is high demand for merchandise planners, sales consultants (particularly those who can speak Mandarin), assistant store managers and store managers.
“Due to high demand for other staff members, this has naturally led to store managers being sought out consistently, too,” Ms Kirkby said. “With the high demand, store managers are also utilising this shortage to try and leverage their chance of a salary increase.”
Hays has also seen an increase in temporary and contract recruitment in the retail head-office space in response to internal restructures. With new financial year budgets now available permanent vacancy activity is expected to increase.
As investment in digital technology continues within retail – not only for the purposes of e-commerce, but also to enhance the in-store experience – head-office staff with an understanding of digital development and marketing will be in higher demand.