Retail as a Career

Why would you recommend retail as a career?

Retailing is a great career for the person who likes change, challenge, problem-solving, novelty, visually exciting products and people. This kind of person would be very bored in organizations with a higher quotient of routine and less room to strategize and explore.
--Carol Salusso, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Chair, Department of Apparel, Merchandising and Interior Design
Washington State University

I recommend retailing because it offers a variety of career paths. One has the best opportunity for getting experience in managing people and having profit-and-loss responsibilities in retailing much faster than in other fields. Additionally, it is unique in that it gives talented and dedicated people the opportunity to reach key management positions in 5 to 10 years.
--Jerry Cross, Assistant Professor
Fashion Merchandising and Management
Fashion Institute of Technology

There is no field that gives college graduates as much experience earlier in their career than retail. They will be doing daily problem-solving of business challenges. Retailing careers allow young adults to learn very quickly what they like and don't like and will encourage them to follow their passion.
--Melinda Burke, Director
Center for Retailing and Consumer Sciences Education and Research
University of Arizona