A fresh report has predicted a boom ahead for the retail industry, but also looming challenges to tackle.
The Retail Workforce Study Report, released this week, has forecast a jobs boom ahead for the retail sector, but said there is a great need for improved for retail workers training across all facets.
The report was delivered by the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency in partnership with the industry skills council, Service Skills Australia.
According to the research, the retail sector – which is already Australia's second-largest employer with more than 1.2 million workers across 140,000 businesses – is likely to grow by 8.9 per cent over the next five years.
However, the report also indicated that retail must better integrate physical and online shopping channels and create a seamless customer experiences.
Research revealed that the retail workforce is in need of higher levels of digital literacy, deeper levels of knowledge on products and more sophisticated interpersonal skills to achieve this.
Commenting on the findings Australian Retailers Assiociation executive director Russell Zimmerman said the report, was a wake-up call for the industry and its stakeholders.
“The ARA has long campaigned to put the importance of skills training under the spotlight, and we are pleased to see this report emphasises the fact that retail managers will need new skills in developing innovative business models and high-end ICT solutions if they wish to be successful in the future,” he said.
National Retailers Association state manager for NSW Michael Lonie added that the report was a timely reminder to retail employers about the need to invest in their staff – not just at the sales counter but in the back office and right across the business.
"This report has highlighted just how quickly the retail industry is being transformed globalisation, new technologies, growth of online sales and changing demographics," Lonie said.
"Most retailers are aware of these trends already, but there is clearly a gap between their awareness and their readiness for the change that is happening.
"There is great potential for the retail business owners who position themselves at the forefront of these trends, and we hope that this report will prompt business owners to get moving on addressing these important challenges.
"What the industry will need now will be leaders – and not necessarily from the larger or more established retail chains – to forge a path for others to follow in terms of integrating new technology and work practices."
Lonie also said the report also showed the dynamic and diverse opportunities that would be created for potential workers in the retail sector in the very near future.
The rapid movement towards new, cutting-edge technologies was creating job opportunities right across the retail supply chain," he said.
"The industry already provides many more opportunities for employment than just that of a sales assistant. There are specialist jobs in the human resources, finance, logistics, planning, IT, mobile commerce and customer service areas.
"And there are jobs to suit workers in all age groups – from young people entering the workforce for the first time right through to the mature worker."