How to get a job in ecommerce
More popular in the UK than in other European countries and the USA, online shopping generates huge value for the retail sector. Learn more about ecommerce jobs and the qualifications and skills you’ll need to secure them
What is ecommerce?
Also known as etailing and online retailing, ecommerce is defined as 'commercial transactions conducted electronically on the internet'. It is a dynamic, fast-paced environment, where innovation is critical for businesses that want to stay ahead of the competition.
Those working in ecommerce focus on the user experience and on procuring, displaying, supplying and delivering products as quickly as possible to satisfy customer demands.
According to the Retail Gazette, the value of online retail sales in the UK reached £127billion in 2024, marking the highest figure ever recorded outside the COVID-19 lockdown surge in online shopping.
This area of retail is full of opportunity for ambitious graduates, particularly as online retail blends both digital and retail disciplines.
Who are the biggest ecommerce retailers?
Most high street companies have an online presence, and these are known as brick-and-click companies, as they sell products from physical stores as well as online.
Reflecting the fact that online shopping is such a big business, other companies are pure-click - online-only organisations that don't have bricks-and-mortar-stores. Instead, they operate solely via the internet.
Well-known brick-and-click retailers include:
- Argos
- Asda
- Boots
- Clarks
- Currys
- Holland and Barrett
- John Lewis
- Marks & Spencer
- Morrisons
- New Look
- Next
- River Island
- Sainsbury's
- Schuh
- Specsavers
- Superdrug
- Tesco
- Waitrose
- Waterstones
- Zara.
Top online-only retailers include:
- Amazon
- Ao.com
- ASOS
- Boohoo
- Ebay
- Etsy
- Farfetch
- Feel Unique
- Firebox
- Getthelabel.com
- Gymshark
- Littlewoods
- Missguided
- Moonpig
- Nasty Gal
- Net-a-Porter
- NotOnTheHighStreet.com
- Ocado
- Photobox
- PrettyLittleThing
- TheBookPeople.co.uk
- Very
- Watch Shop.
What areas of ecommerce can I work in?
The ecommerce industry is built up of four camps, those who:
- create/build the website
- decide what is featured on the site
- run the site on a day-to-day basis
- deliver ordered goods.
Technology
If you're interested in the technology side of ecommerce you could contribute to building the website as a:
The growth in online shopping means that more and more people are submitting their personal details to websites, and retail organisations are responsible for ensuring that this data is safe from attack. Therefore, there are increasing opportunities for cyber security analysts/information security specialists. Learn more about cyber security training.
Retail and customer service
If your interest lies more on the retail side of things you could have a direct influence on what is sold on the website by working as a retail buyer or retail merchandiser. In these roles you'll predict buying trends, identify what will sell and ensure that the website is stocked with the right quantity of products, at the right quality, at the right price and at the right time. Read up on how to get into buying and merchandising. Customer service managers are also needed to ensure consumers get the product and service they deserve.
Content and digital marketing
To entice customers to shop with the brand and to keep the customer-facing aspects of the website running daily, online retailers require digital copywriters, editors and writers who can create engaging content and write accurate product descriptions. Marketing professionals and social media managers are also required to promote the company and produce enticing email newsletters. SEO specialists are essential to increasing the site's visibility in search engines and the number of visitors.
Operations and logistics
Warehouse managers play a key role in making sure that customer orders are processed correctly but it's the job of logistics and distribution managers to deliver customer orders in a timely and cost-effective manner. Discover why you should consider a career in logistics and supply chain management.
What qualifications do I need?
Some employers look for candidates with a related undergraduate degree, for example in:
- buying
- computer science
- journalism
- logistics and supply chain management
- marketing
- merchandising
- retail management
- web design/development.
However, some retailers accept graduates of any degree discipline. A 2:1 or above is preferred, but 2:2s are also widely accepted in the sector. Check entry requirements with individual employers before applying.
If you have an unrelated undergraduate degree, you could always consider a Masters. Search postgraduate courses.
Can I join an ecommerce graduate scheme?
Ecommerce, online or digital retail graduate schemes are available with a number of big-name organisations, such as:
On the majority of schemes, you'll start working on the shop floor to get a feel for the business, before moving into head office roles in online and IT departments.
On the two-year Online scheme at Tesco, you'll start by spending 12 weeks in store. You'll then rotate around different online departments to gain an understanding of the business's online functions. You could work to grow and improve the delivery service, use the latest technology to speed up how Tesco picks orders for customers, or help offer customers a broader range of products.
On the Digital scheme at Vodafone, you'll gain experience in:
- content design
- product ownership
- chatbot design
- app design.
Upon completion of most graduate schemes, participants are offered a full-time job. You could specialise and work in one of the roles mentioned above, or you could progress to oversee all digital operations in a role such as e-commerce operations manager.
Search for retail graduate schemes.
What skills do I need to work in ecommerce?
As well as transferrable skills, you'll also need a specific set of competencies. Advanced technical knowledge isn't necessary for all ecommerce jobs, but you will need to have:
- a general understanding of online retail and how it works
- a grasp of what drives internet traffic and knowledge of SEO
- commercial awareness and business sense
- knowledge of, and the ability to adapt to, new technologies
- IT/computer skills. Knowledge of software development, web development and web design will be particularly useful
- creative flair (for those working in web design, content creation and marketing)
- numerical and analytical skills (for those working in UX, SEO, buying, merchandising and logistics)
- customer service skills.
Do I need work experience?
While work experience isn't essential, it does demonstrate proactivity and real experience of a commercial environment.
Any experience is valuable, but try to secure relevant work placements where possible. For example, working as a sales assistant in a high street store provides invaluable, general retail industry experience. You'll experience customer and company expectations and pick up transferable skills such as:
- customer service
- communication
- teamwork
- trend spotting.
If you're struggling to find placements or part-time work in this capacity, consider volunteering in a high street charity shop. You'll gain knowledge and experience while doing good.
Internships in IT departments or experience of coding will be useful for aspiring web developers/designers; while a stint as an editorial assistant within a content team or time spent writing for your student newspaper will prove beneficial for writers and editors.
Any experience building or contributing to the running of a website will also be useful, so consider starting your own blog. Retailers, especially fashion companies, are increasingly using video technology to advertise their products. Familiarity with filming equipment, knowledge of video editing software and an understanding of how to upload videos to the web may give you an edge.
To gain an insight into running an ecommerce business, you could also set up your own online shop, for example, on eBay or Etsy.
It's also a good idea to follow companies of interest on social media to get a feel for their brand, what they're up to and where they're headed. This online activity demonstrates computer literacy, enhances professional contacts and could lead to work experience opportunities or employment.
Find out more
- Search for graduate retail jobs.
- Gain an insight into the retail sector.
- Learn more about jobs in retail.