Indiana UniversityRetail Myths and Reality

Traci KaasSears College Recruiter

September 8th, 2005

CSLTSlide 2 Date

Agenda

• Introduction

• Perception Of Retail

• Retail Myths

• Reality Of Retail

• What Does It Take To Be Successful In Retail

• Closing and Q&A

CSLTSlide 3 Date

Careers in Retail

When you think about a career in retail what comes to mind?

• Working on the floor or at the mall

• Long hours

• Weekends and nights

• The local department or grocery store

• Low pay

• Limited career options

• Is this what I really went college for?

CSLTSlide 4 Date

Careers in Retail

What are some Retail Myths?

• Retail jobs only consist of cashiers and sales associate positions

• Retail positions do not prepare college students for challenging, upward mobile careers

• Retail jobs don’t pay well

• College degrees don’t apply to retail careers

• Retailing is a declining industry due to e-commerce

• Retail is not a growth industry

* Source NRF 2000 Careers in Retailing

CSLTSlide 5 Date

Careers in RetailRetail is not: Stagnate

• Running a Cash Register and Folding Clothes• All Long Hours and Low Pay

Retail is: Ever Changing• People Oriented

• Fast Paced

• Challenging

• Growth Opportunities

• Leadership

• Developing People

• Teamwork

• Financially Rewarding

• Technology

• Immediate

CSLTSlide 6 Date

Careers in Retail

Retail is: Influential– Large Business Diversification

> Billions in Revenue

> Fortune 50 Company’s

> Millions of Employees Worldwide

> Diverse Source of Revenues and Profits

Apparel

Catalog / Mail Order

Consumer Electronics & Entertainment

Department Stores and Discount Stores

Drug and Rx

Grocery

Home Improvement

Specialty

CSLTSlide 7 Date

Careers in Retail

Retail is: Opportunity General Management

Marketing / Advertising

Store Operations

Loss Prevention

Finance

Human Resources

IT and E-Commerce

Service

Distribution, Logistics, Supply Chain Management

Merchandising Buying / Planning

Law

* Source NRF 2000 Careers in Retailing

CSLTSlide 8 Date

Careers in Retail

What it Takes to Succeed

– Leadership Skills>Integrity

>Diversity/Inclusiveness

>Drive for Results

>Teamwork

>Building Relationships

>Customer Focused

>Performance Management

>Communication Skills

>Organization and Time Management

CSLTSlide 9 Date

Careers in Retail

What it Takes to Succeed– Expectations, Motivation, Dedication, and Interest in Retail

> Do you want what retail has to offer?

> Do your short term goals match the career path?

CSLTSlide 10 Date

Full Time

Merchandise Planning Training ProgramsRetail Management Training ProgramsAccounting Training ProgramsInternal Audit Training Programs

Internships

Merchandise Planning InternshipsRetail Management Internships Internal Audit InternshipsLogistics Internships

More info: www.sears.com/collegerecruit

Careers in Sears

CSLTSlide 11 Date

Typical Career Path - Inventory Management/Merchandising

Inventory Management TraineeInventory Management Trainee

Inventory AnalystInventory Analyst

Senior Inventory AnalystSenior Inventory Analyst

Divisional Vice President Inventory Management

Divisional Vice President Inventory Management

VP/General Merchandise Manager

VP/General Merchandise Manager

Divisional Merchandise Manager

Divisional Merchandise Manager

BuyerBuyer

V.P. Inventory Management

V.P. Inventory Management

Director Inventory Management

Director Inventory Management

Inventory ManagerInventory Manager

Senior Inventory AnalystSenior Inventory Analyst

Other Career Paths:•Product Development•Sourcing•Logistics•Marketing

Other Career Paths:•Product Development•Sourcing•Logistics•Marketing

Career Paths usually include

planning and buying

assignments

Career Paths usually include

planning and buying

assignments

Associate BuyerAssociate Buyer

CSLTSlide 12 Date

Typical Career Path - Retail

Retail TraineeRetail Trainee

Assistant Store Manager Softlines

Assistant Store Manager Softlines

Assistant Store Manager Brand

Central

Assistant Store Manager Brand

Central

Assistant Store Manager

Operations

Assistant Store Manager

Operations

Assistant Store Manager In-

Store Support

Assistant Store Manager In-

Store Support

AutomotiveAutomotiveAssistant Store

Manager Hardlines

Assistant Store Manager Hardlines

Store General ManagerStore General Manager

SGM (medium store)SGM (medium store)

SGM (large store)SGM (large store)

Director of StoresDirector of Stores

Region Operations Mgr.Region Operations Mgr.

Region Vice PresidentRegion Vice President

Home OfficeHome Office

Other Business Roles

Other Business Roles

CSLTSlide 13 Date

Typical Career Path - Internal Audit

Audit InternAudit Intern

Auditor IAuditor I

Auditor IIAuditor II

Senior AuditorSenior Auditor

Audit Project Leader

Audit Project Leader

Audit ManagerAudit Manager

DirectorDirector

VPVP

CSLTSlide 14 Date

Q & A