Retail apprenticeships

A great way of gaining hands-on experience while earning a wage, retail apprenticeships can kickstart careers in a variety of functions. Learn more about the roles and schemes on offer

Schemes span from intermediate (equivalent to GCSEs) to advanced (equivalent to A-levels) and higher (foundation degree level) to degree (comparable to a Bachelors or Masters degree). If you've decided that university isn't the right path for you but would still like to work in retail then why not consider an apprenticeship?

What kinds of retail apprenticeships are available?

On a retail apprenticeship you can train as a:

assistant buyer
assistant merchandiser
digital marketer
retail manager
retail team leader
senior sales assistant
style adviser
supply chain operative
travel consultant
vehicle salesperson.

Which companies offer retail apprenticeships?

Aldi - provides practical, hands-on apprenticeships in logistics, stores and driving. The logistics programme is an intermediate scheme (Level 2) and takes a year to complete. As a store apprentice you have two options - the Career Starter intermediate scheme, which takes up to 15 months to complete or the advanced Store Management Apprenticeship, which takes 36 months.
Amazon - offers apprenticeships in areas such as human resources, business management, finance, procurement, digital, marketing and sales, operations and engineering.
ASOS - run Future Makers apprenticeships spanning from Level 3 all the way through to Level 7.
Boots - currently offers a range of schemes in its stores, supply chain and support office.
Co-op - offers six different apprenticeship pathways - food retail, logistics, funeral care, support functions, legal and food technology.
Dunelm - runs a range of schemes from retail, finance and supply chain to buying and merchandising, logistics and insight and analytics.
Farmfoods - offer three schemes the retail, supervisor and store manager apprenticeships.
Marks & Spencer - you can take the retail leaders apprenticeship or a scheme in buying and merchandising.
Morrisons - offers four degree apprenticeships covering retail, corporate, manufacturing and food technical.
Pret a Manger - provide a Level 2 hospitality apprenticeship, Level 3 hospitality team leader apprenticeship and a management degree apprenticeship role where you'll complete a BA in business management. You can take the Level 2 and 3 schemes as stand-alone roles or choose to progress through the stages.
Specsavers - apprenticeships at Specsavers reach Masters level. You could work in store, in a support office or from manufacturing and distribution sites. Retail apprenticeships include the customer service apprenticeship, optical assistant apprenticeship hearing aid dispenser apprenticeship.
Superdrug - offer three apprenticeship pathways. Learn (retail assistant), Level Up (supervisor/assistant store manager) and Lead On (store manager).
Tesco - offers two programmes, one in finance the other retail.
Vison Express - this scheme is ideal for those looking to become a retail optical assistant, store manager or optical professional.

The above is not an exhaustive list, so when looking for vacancies research the companies that you're interested in to see if they run any relevant apprenticeships. Some organisations recruit apprentices year-round, while others will advertise vacancies at specific times of year.

Search retail apprenticeships.

What do retail apprenticeships involve?

The complexity of tasks and your level of responsibility will be determined by the level of your apprenticeship. The focus of your programme will also play a part. For example, the structure and content of a retail management apprenticeship will vary considerably to a merchandising or logistics scheme. Finally, the company that you work for will shape your experience as an apprentice, so be prepared to do some research at the application stage to find the right programme for you.

The Superdrug Level Up apprenticeship takes 13-15 months to complete and offers apprentices the opportunity to train as an assistant manager. You’ll work up to 39 hours per week and learn through in-store experience and online workshops.

At Amazon you'll spend two years on the Buying and Merchandising Apprenticeship where you will work towards a Level 4 qualification. Working 40 hours a week you'll learn to identify suppliers, negotiate contracts and secure the best deals as well as how to manage stock levels, track trends and minimise losses.

Those on the Retail Leaders scheme at Marks & Spencer's will gain hands-on experience across a number of business functions including food, clothing and home as they work towards becoming a store manager. To accelerate your career you can also choose to complete a Level 6 (equivalent to a degree) qualification.

On the three-year Corporate scheme at Morrisons you'll gain experience in areas such as corporate services, online, marketing and wholesale while studying toward a BSc in Chartered Management.

One thing that all programmes have in common is that they all involve combining full-time employment with part-time study. You could be allocated one day a week to attend college or university, or study in scheduled blocks of a week or more. Assessment methods depend on the apprenticeship, but it's likely that you'll be assessed through a combination of essays, coursework and practical and written exams.

Who are apprenticeships aimed at?

Traditionally, many retail apprenticeships were aimed at school leavers and only covered intermediate or advanced qualifications. However, as apprenticeships are now seen as a viable alternative to university the number of degree-level opportunities are rising.

The level of the programme determines who can apply. For example, intermediate (Level 2) and advanced (Level 3) apprenticeships are aimed at school leavers. Intermediate retail apprenticeships don't require any previous qualifications; while to gain a place on an advanced scheme you'll typically need GCSE passes in English, maths and science. You'll need to be 16 or over, living in England and not in full-time education to be eligible to apply.

Higher and degree apprenticeships (Levels 4, 5 and 6) are generally geared towards those with A-levels or those who have already completed an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship. Learn more about degree apprenticeships.

Masters apprenticeships (Level 7) are aimed at those who already hold a Bachelors degree or have previously completed a degree apprenticeship.

Retail apprenticeships suit those with excellent customer service skills, the ability to work as part of a team, commercial awareness, an eye for detail, analytical ability, and a hardworking attitude.

How much will I be paid?

All apprentices are paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which currently stands at £6.40 per hour (from April 2024) for apprentices under 19, and those aged over 19 who are in their first year.

If you're over 19 and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship you must be paid the minimum wage for your age.

As an apprentice you'll be paid for your normal working hours as well as for any training that is part of your scheme. You're entitled to at least 20 days' paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.

Salaries are determined by individual employers but in most cases you'll be paid significantly more than the NMW.

For example, Aldi pay those on the Store Manager Programme (part of the stores apprenticeship) £253.20 per week in year one, rising to £305.40 and £354.90 per week in years two and three respectively.

Tesco pay apprentices on its Stronger Starts Retail scheme a minimum starting salary of £20,629.

How do I become a retail apprentice?

Apply for an apprenticeship as you would a job. Make sure you research the organisation thoroughly and that you're aware of what the apprenticeship involves, and tailor your application to each role.

Applications are made online through an application form, but check with the employer as methods can vary, some may also require an up-to-date CV and cover letter. Be prepared to use relevant examples of your experience to support your application. For inspiration take a look at our example apprenticeship cover letter.

Certain organisations may ask you to sit situational judgement, numerical and psychometric tests as well as participate in an assessment centre or insight day. Some companies also use video interviews as part of their recruitment process.

Read more about applying for an apprenticeship.

Find out more

Learn more about the retail sector.