Retail

Music retail, or sales, staff work directly with customers, answering queries, giving information and selling products.

Sales staff must keep up to date with their organisation's sales policies and standards to ensure the correct information is communicated to customers. They are expected to know the music industry well so that they can give information to customers and suggest artists or latest releases. 

In recent years, a lot more music has been bought online and different models of making money from music are appearing as different business models appear.

Music retailers are involved in: dealing with customers in person, by telephone or email, or through a combination of these; handling payments/deposits for customers; familiarising yourself with the latest popular and classical releases; and talking to customers about their needs.

Other duties include: liaising with suppliers and manufacturers about their products; demonstrating CDs; making sales; wrapping and dispatching goods; completing sales paperwork; and offering after sales service.

A good knowledge of different genres of music, of music charts and of various formats for music, e.g. CD, DVD, video is needed.

Starting salaries are around £15,000 to £18,000 a year. With experience this can rise to between £20,000 and £40,000.

Top salaries in large retail companies can reach £50,000 a year or more.

Some employers will expect you to have a degree or BTEC HND in a business or maths-based subject such as: buying and merchandising; marketing; retail management; business and management; maths and statistics; or economics.

You should check with colleges or universities for exact course entry requirements.

Other employers may consider you with other qualifications, as long as you have good business skills, knowledge of your chosen field of work and the right personal qualities.

Whatever your qualifications, you should ideally have some experience of working in retail including a knowledge of IT related music retail.