Retail Futures Discussion: Does retail as a career path need a rebrand? Sara shares her reflections.
🪷 Does retail as a career need a rebrand?
That was the question we explored in a lively panel this week at The Retail Bulletin HR Summit. It was a conversation full of honesty, humour, and hope - unpacking how we can reposition retail as a career of choice, not chance. I was fortunate to be hosting a brilliant group of HR professionals for this conversation Sophey Layton (MCIPD) Paige Jordan Hannah Govier
Key reflections from the discussion:
đź§ The perception problem.
Too many still “fall into” retail. We talked about how that narrative shapes identity - both for individuals and for the sector. When something is seen as a stopgap, it becomes harder to build long-term belonging. The next-generation workforce, especially, is craving meaningful work.
đź’ˇThe value gap.
Retail develops exceptional skills: empathy, adaptability, commercial acumen, and real-time decision-making. Yet these strengths are rarely celebrated or clearly articulated as skills acquired through retail. That’s something HR and L&D can help rewrite - from job design to how the industry defines progression, especially in better identification and preparation of high potential team members
🚀 The prestige gap.
There’s still a divide between in-store and headoffice roles. Maybe it’s time to rebrand “head office” itself - to better reflect how front-line and head-office roles rely on each other.
🤖 The future of retail careers.
With AI and digital tools reshaping work, the sweet spot lies in the hybrid of human + digital. Leveraging data and technology to enhance learning, development, and leadership - and to create greater accessibility for shopfloor and global teams alike.
📌 The narrative shift.
A career path becomes a career map - flexible, personalised, and designed for growth rather than hierarchy. How do we help people move their pin, rather than stay stuck on the ladder?
At Blooming Potential, we love leading conversations like this - exploring how psychology, people strategy, and purpose can help industries evolve and thrive. Thank you Karen Howard & the TRB team for the opportunity to join!