You just have to flick the TV on to know that the average Brit is heavily into home improvement. Let's face it, barely a night goes by without a makeover programme.
So, this is clearly a thriving sector, with most of the big boys expanding into ever-larger units in retail parks or out-of-town sites, while niche high-street outlets do robust trade, too.
The particularly good news is that some of the best employers with a defined people culture can be found in this sector. These national companies are the pioneers of the work-hard, play-hard culture that nurtures a family atmosphere and facilitates part-time and flexi-working. At least one national employer in this sector actively recruited older workers even before recent ageism laws came into force.
Plus, it's no longer the case that you have to work in a shop. TV shopping channels are growing substantially, selling DIY and garden related products.
Indeed, this is a wide ranging sector, where you might need knowledge of products such as power tools, plants, watering, lighting, fertiliser, furniture etc. Specialist furniture shops often welcome people with retail sales experience in DIY, bathroom or kitchen companies, car showrooms and other furniture companies.
The roles available are equally diverse, including warehouse manager, internal audit manager, buyer, sales consultant and so forth.
Best of all, the sheer size of some of the national chains means there is plenty of scope to move around the country as well as up the career ladder into area management, operations or trade development. Here you will have the challenge of implementing changes to enable sales growth, improving stock management, merchandising, account management, product training and customer service skills in each individual branch.
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