Governor Inslee, for the third consecutive year, has proclaimed September as Careers in Retail Month in Washington State.

Good jobs change lives.  Retail provides a stable income while promoting education to grow careers.  Learning builds confidence and confidence builds careers.

The retail industry has the opportunity to impact local economies and communities.    Retail is connected to one in four jobs in America’s workforce.

Retailers employ nearly  400,000 people in our state and pay nearly $20 billion in annual wages. We often think of the industry as just an entry-level position, but it is much more than meets the eye.   Half of retail employees work in non-sales positions while many retail managers earned promotions through training programs.

What an awesome foundation.  Think of some of the competencies gained that can be applied to most industries; customer service skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, emotional intelligence and leadership skills.   It’s hard to put a dollar figure on the experience gained by working in retail.

Opportunities abound for a fantastic career as a buyer, clerk, merchandiser, e-commerce marketer,  inventory manager, shipper, store director, manager, district manager and customer service employee, to name a few. We encourage job seekers to consider a future in retail.

When you think of the Washington Retail Association, think of us as your expert, your resource for all the needs of your business whether it’s a two-person shop or a company with 100 or more employees.

Let me know what you need from our team to make you successful.  Please contact me at [email protected].