Retail graduate schemes

Providing a way into a vital and competitive industry, retail graduate schemes are available in a variety of functions. Opportunities offer early responsibility, relatively high starting salaries and often a job at the end of the programme

What are retail graduate schemes?

Usually one to two years in length, retail graduate programmes are structured schemes that allow graduates to experience and gain knowledge of a certain area of retail businesses, all while working and earning a wage.

A number of large, well-known retail organisations offer graduate schemes, from clothing brands and supermarkets to homeware and technology retailers and department stores.

Retail graduate schemes are available in a variety of functions, such as:

• digital
• distribution
• buying
• finance
• IT
• logistics and supply chain
• management
• merchandising
• online.

Which companies run retail schemes?

• Aldi - an intensive year-long Graduate Area Manager Scheme.
• Asda - two-year graduate programmes are available in retail, George, data and technology and business operations.
• Dunelm - programmes are available in finance, software engineering, supply chain and logistics, business transformation and insight and analytics.
• Gucci - run an international Gucci Grade graduate programme in fashion retail management.
• Harrods - one and two-year schemes in digital and customer strategy, IT, distribution and store development.
• Lidl - programmes are available in retail graduate management and head office graduate management.
• Marks & Spencer - three graduate schemes encompass retail leaders, food business and clothing, and home business.
• Morrisons - ten schemes each focusing on a particular business area such as finance, data science, logistics, buying, technology, corporate, people, retail, manufacturing buying, manufacturing operational.
• Next - provide a graduate logistics management graduate programme.
• Ocado - runs several schemes spanning functions such as software engineering, commercial solutions, user experience, engineering and finance.
• Santander - offers a retail graduate scheme focusing on retail banking.
• Tesco - ten programmes are on offer, each covering a core business area, such as finance, online, food, supply chain, retail, and marketing. The four technology programmes cover cyber security, product management, programme management and software engineering.
• The British Heart Foundation - graduate schemes are available in technology, retail and people, and organisational development.
• Vodafone - runs nine graduate programmes covering external affairs, business, customer and commercial analytics, commercial and marketing, finance, human resources, digital products and experience and two technology schemes that cover networks and software engineering.

Search for graduate jobs in retail.

What are the benefits of joining a retail programme?

When it comes to graduate schemes one of the biggest advantages is being able to train on the job. Companies invest a lot of time and money into graduate programmes. As such, participating graduates benefit from a range of training and development opportunities.

Another plus is the hands-on experience graduate schemes provide, effectively allowing you to try out a role, business area and organisation before accepting a permanent position.

Graduate schemes also offer a fast-track career path. In competitive fields such as buying and merchandising, retail management, and logistics and supply chain, the structured nature of retail graduate schemes can lead to rapid advancement.

'At Marks & Spencer (M&S), our graduate programmes are designed to set you up for long-term success,' says Louise Oxley-Daniels, the company's head of talent acquisition. 'You'll receive structured training, one-to-one mentoring, and hands-on experience solving real business challenges. And if we see that you're ready to progress faster, we'll give you the tools and opportunities to make it happen.'

If you join a graduate scheme, you're also entitled to the same benefits packages as other workers at the company. This includes:

• a competitive salary (read more about graduate scheme salaries below)
• company cars
• international secondments
• an annual leave allowance
• pension plans
• wellbeing packages
• company discounts.

What do retail graduate schemes involve?

This largely depends on the company and the scheme. However, on most retail graduate schemes you'll spend time rotating around different departments or teams to get a good idea of their work. Many programmes require you to spend time in store, on the shop floor, to gain a real understanding of how the business works from the ground up.

'On the Clothing & Home Business Programme at M&S, you'll experience every step of how we create and deliver our products,' explains Louise. 'You'll start with a four-month store placement, getting close to customers before moving into buying, design, merchandising, and supply chain. With our support, you'll develop the skills to drive innovation, quality, and value, bringing products that our customers love to life.

'Retail at M&S is more than just selling products. It's about creating exceptional experiences for our customers. Whether you're shaping our unique product ranges or leading our stores, our three graduate programmes give you exposure to all areas of the business, helping you build a well-rounded understanding of the retail industry.'

If you join the Aldi graduate scheme, you'll spend a year training to become an area manager, with the help of a mentor. You'll start by stacking shelves, getting to know your products and learning about customer service. By week 15 you could have the keys to your own store and by week 47 you'll be looking after your own regional area.

The two-year Tesco retail graduate programme will see you working in stores and getting to know different departments. You'll also work in the support office, with transformation teams and in distribution, all while receiving leadership development training. By the end of the programme you'll have all the skills to become a store manager.

On the digital scheme at Vodafone you'll spend time within:

• content design
• product ownership
• chatbot design
• app design.

What are the entry requirements?

It's a common misconception that people over a certain age cannot apply for a graduate programme. As long as you hold a degree, there is no upper age limit on when you can apply.

While some schemes specify the need for a particular degree subject, others accept graduates from any discipline.

For graduate schemes run by the likes of Aldi and Harrods, you'll need a 2:1 undergraduate degree. Still, many retail employers, including Lidl, Morrisons and Tesco, also accept those with a 2:2. In fact, an increasing number of retail employers are widening the net and are willing to accept graduates with a 2:2 onto their programmes.

Other entry requirements may include a specific number of UCAS points, evidence of particular skills, a driving licence and a willingness to relocate.

If university isn't for you, but you'd still like to formally train within a retail organisation, you could consider a retail apprenticeship.

What skills do I need to succeed on a retail graduate scheme?

Depending on your role, you'll need:

• adaptability
• excellent teamworking ability
• customer service skills
• commercial/competitor/brand awareness
• attention to detail
• confidence and communication skills
• strong decision-making ability
• an eye for trends and good product knowledge
• negotiation skills
• problem-solving skills
• a proactive nature and the ability to work off your initiative
• time management skills
• IT literacy
• a head for figures.

'At M&S, we thrive on a high-performance culture. We're looking for people who are eager to learn, quick to adapt, and passionate about quality, innovation, and delivering exceptional customer experiences,' adds Louise.

How do I apply?

You'll apply for most schemes online, although application processes vary, so check with individual employers.

You'll need to complete an online application form and any numerical or psychometric tests set by the recruiter. If successful at this stage, you'll move on to complete a video interview before progressing to an assessment centre. The final stage of the application process is usually a face-to-face interview with the employer.

Make sure you tailor your application to the job you are applying for. The retail sector does not look favourably on generic CVs. Find out more about applying for jobs.

To set yourself above the competition, gain plenty of relevant work experience. Shop floor experience is highly respected. There is no real substitute for working with customers, dealing with deliveries, stock taking and working as part of a retail team. Enquire in-store for shop floor opportunities and apply online for head office experience and industrial placements at large retail organisations. For more information on the types of jobs available in the retail industry, see jobs in retail.

Some retail graduate programmes, such as Aldi and Harrods, recruit all year round, while others like Tesco and M&S have set application deadlines.

How much will I be paid on a retail graduate scheme?

Expect to earn between £29,000 and £50,500. Retail graduate scheme salaries vary widely and depend on the organisation, location and role.

For example:

• Aldi offers a graduate starting salary of £50,750, which rises in stages to £95,655 in year eight.
• Lidl pays graduates on their Retail Graduate Management Programme a starting salary of £40,000.
• Depending on the scheme you're on, you'll earn a salary between £30,983 and £40,000 when working for Tesco.
• Santander pays graduates on their retail scheme £35,000.
• Next pays graduates on the logistics graduate management scheme £29,000.

Will I be offered a job afterwards?

'Yes. All our graduates join us on a permanent contract from day one (subject to a 12-week probation period),' says Louise. 'M&S programmes are designed to equip you with the skills, experience, and confidence to build a long-term career with us.'

This is the case for the majority of programmes and organisations. However, some companies will state that offers of permanent employment aren't guaranteed upon completion, so you may want to check this before applying.

The knowledge and skills you learn on retail graduate programmes also equip you for roles in other sectors, including:

• accountancy, banking and finance (for those who’ve completed a finance scheme)
• hospitality and events management
• IT (if you've taken a programme in technology)
• transport and logistics (if you've completed a supply chain or logistics scheme).

Find out more

• Read more about why you should consider a career in logistics and supply chain management.
• Discover how to get into buying and merchandising.
• Learn how to get a job in ecommerce.