[wolverine2002]

more and more retail chains are setting up shops in india and the existing ones are expanding at a furious pace.walmart ,reliance ,tesco are waiting for approval.what are the oppurtunities in this industry??i am an engg graduate.passing this year. looking for career shift immediately and not interested in IT.will do an mba after a few yrs.would like to know abt the various oppurtunities and ways of going appyling for a job in this industry.do i have to read something extra for the interviews?what is the salary range for fresher engg grads??what is the career path like.is mba absolutely necessary to enter this field?i have start looking for a job soon.wht are the oppurtunities in calcutta??do i have to move out to other cities for better oppurtunities?? plz help.thanx in advance.

[ankush_infy]

hi wolverine,

i also have similar interests as you have. but the thing is i m already into this IT thing for 1.8 years now. But my domain here has been RETAIL only. there have been some basic trainings in Retail domain in my company which i have attended. and this secor is really interesting. Retail sector is set to Boom in India as we all knoe and job oppertunities will be exciting. but i also dont know the finer details like you. so whatever we find out in our searches we can put it here in this forum. This wil benifit all of us.

[ankush_infy]

<snip> double post

[Crash_test_dummy]

I read an article in Business Today on May 7, and i was shocked to see the kind of expansion that this sector is going to experience in the coming months and years! Reliance is going to set up projects worth 90,000 crore!! And pantaloons is gearing up for the competition by expanding it's retail reach to everything....financial services, real estate, entertainment, etc etc. Retail isnt just about just FMCGs and malls anymore...companies like Essar and nokia are getting into their own "flavour" of retail too.

In retail, experience counts more than education. Doesnt matter so much whether you're an engineering topper or a techie, you have to have the soft skills for the job. With an MBA, you would get into more strategic positions such as branding, marketing, management, strategy, etc. Without related education or experience, you would have to start at the bottom and move upward. If you're ok with that, then this sector is red hot. if you work in this sector for a few years, your post-mba lateral placement will be smashing!

I've heard of some courses in retail management...have you considered those. i think wellingkar has it. Pantaloon is running a diploma course in retail management and absorbs most ppl who take up this course...look into it.

[wolverine2002]

thanx both of u.well i was searching the net and i came across this article by CII.very interesting stuff.retail has enormous potential acccording to CII. i would like to know abt the openings for freshers.someone told me that fresh engg grads can join as part of the SCM(supply chain management) team.is that true?? what are the other jobs for fresh engg grads in retail??what's the pay like and the speed of growth?? can anyone give me some idea abt how to apply for these jobs??
well CTD ,i was thinking of doing mba after a few yrs. besides diploma in retail management is too specific at the moment i feel.i would like to get some experience and money before mba.
any link to good sites regarding retail and jobs there??plz help.i need a job now.plz pour in ur thoughts ppl. thnx in advance.

[Crash_test_dummy]

Originally Posted by wolverine2002

well CTD ,i was thinking of doing mba after a few yrs. besides diploma in retail management is too specific at the moment i feel.i would like to get some experience and money before mba.
any link to good sites regarding retail and jobs there??plz help.i need a job now.plz pour in ur thoughts ppl. thnx in advance.

The course i was talking about..i think it`s part time. if not, look for other part time courses in retail. what do u mean by too narrow?? you wanna get into retail management and you say diploma in retail management is too narrow...strange! Just becoz you're an engineer doesnt mean you'll be showered with money...the pay will be significantly lower than the IT/tech sector. if you`re in this for the money, i suggest you stick to IT.

Job hunting tips:
1. upload resume on naukri.com and every damn jobsite. expect spam, but be alert.
2. keep 10 versions of resume ready, each emphasizing different things. Send the version most suited to the job requirements. Do not send one blanket resume for ALL applications.
2. send resume to as many consultants as possible.
3. network shamelessly, cold call.
4. visit "careers" section of all major companies
5. if a company doesnt advertize that it is hiring, it doesnt mean it's not.
6. Be very patient, yet agressive.

[wolverine2002]

thnx for very prompt replies.i did go through the net for retail management courses ,but all of them happen to be 2ys full time(the ones that have a tie up with pantaloons).u got me wrong on the diploma in retail management being narrow.what i meant was ,i want to get into retail industry now, then later on do an mba.if i am willing to do a part time course to join the industry.already following all the tips u gave abt job hunting.
ppl,more info and advice plz.thnx

[angana]

is d retail management course offered by PANTALOON a good one?
how to prepare for the written exam?
and what about the job offered by Pantaloon for the Pass-outs?

thank you.

[harshg]

Guys are we looking at only the IT placements in retail. Or are we also looking at the core retail (counter sales , store management, customer service) or sourcing (purchase, vendor management, buying, merchandising) as career options as well.

Please elaborate about your background and maybe I can throw some tangents across.

[Crash_test_dummy]

Originally Posted by harshg

Guys are we looking at only the IT placements in retail. Or are we also looking at the core retail (counter sales , store management, customer service) or sourcing (purchase, vendor management, buying, merchandising) as career options as well.

we`re looking at everything! Any info will help..share what you know and spread the light!