Is Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores A Good Career Path? Well the Answer is a big YES!!! Clothing retail is a massive enterprise and one that’s impossible to ship overseas.
Despite the rage of online shopping, cloth shops will remain popular due to their staff’s expertise. Choosing clothing without trying it on and seeing the item in person is difficult.
You can find retail shops selling clothing, shoes, accessories, and everything. You can also find shops that only sell one of these items. You can be a valuable employee regardless of your chosen product and have special skills to make you stand out.
These are mainly retail jobs, so it’s not the most lucrative career path. But that doesn’t mean the work isn’t hard-working. If you wish, The skills can be used in other industries.
BEST PAYING JOBS IN CLOTHING/SHOE/ACCESSORY STORES
The higher-paying jobs in this industry are not as lucrative as those in other industries, as most don’t require a college education. There are still some retail jobs that offer a decent salary.
1. General Manager
Average Annual Salary: $65,000
The general managers oversee the store. They are expected to be knowledgeable about all aspects of the store and attentive to employees and other departments. They are expected to resolve any issues that arise with staff, customer dissatisfaction, or any other requirements of higher management.
2. Assistant Manager
Average Annual Salary: $40,000
An assistant store manager acts as a second-in-command in a retail shop. The assistant store manager takes over if the general manager isn’t available. The assistant manager is responsible for looking after the entire store and filling in for any employees who are sick or unavailable.
3. Clothier
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Strong customer service skills and a thorough knowledge of clothing are required. Clothiers are often able to do custom work for their customers.
They can either work alone or in a shop. They may work in a store if they are working with one.
4. Inventory Manager
Average Annual Salary: $76,000
This role is responsible for tracking the inventory of the store. This job involves much counting as the inventory manager must ensure that the actual inventory matches the digital inventory.
Most retail stores use an automated replenishment model that allows stock to be shipped when needed.
5. Goldsmith
Average Annual Salary: $48,000
The duties and salaries of goldsmiths depend on their work location and the level of their skill. Most goldsmiths work with jewelry by forging, filing, and casting. Although the name suggests that goldsmiths work only with gold, they are expected to be proficient in other precious metals.
6. Jeweler
Average Annual Salary: $44,000
The job of a jeweler is to design and create jewelry. This requires knowledge about precious metals, gemstones, and forging techniques. The salary of a jeweler will vary depending on their experience and level.
7. Shoe Design
Average Annual Salary: $82,000
The job of a shoe designer is exactly what it sounds like. They design shoes. They must be skilled in designing, crafting, and aesthetics, such as choosing the right color. They can work for an individual company or a large corporation, like Adidas. This is a great career option if you are creative and interested in shoes.
8. Designer Clothes
Average Annual Salary: $75,000
Designers of clothes require creativity, just like all other designers. Designers must identify and understand the different fabric types and how they react once sewn together. Designers are not all going to be in fashion. Companies like Levi’s require designers to create new designs every day.
9. Merchandise Coordinator
Average Annual Salary: $75,000
It is a position that can be considered a more senior retail position. The Merchandise Coordinators manage inventory levels and move stock around as necessary. They also ensure that items are correctly priced. They are also responsible for product displays. For example, they set up windows and draw customers to their establishment.
10. Jewel Designer
Average Annual Salary: $50,000
Designers of jewelry come up with products designed specifically for jewelry.
You have the option to work as a jewelry designer and sell your pieces on Etsy or for a significant jeweler designing mass-produced products. It’s a job that requires creativity and design knowledge. Highly recommended are drawing skills.
Some of these jobs may require a degree or an apprenticeship, but most will be available to those with the experience. Designer positions will likely require a degree, but other than that, it is possible to get these jobs by following the right path.
The following jobs can be a great place to start your search if you are looking for a job in the industry.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS – Is Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores A Good Career Path?
Most of these jobs do not require a college education. Therefore, the experience will be your best way to move up in the industry. There are exceptions to this rule, so here are some degrees you might consider.
- Apparel & Textiles. You will learn about clothes and other textiles, fabrics, and materials.
- Retail Management. Although this degree isn’t offered everywhere, it could be helpful if you want to become a manager or a merchandising coordinator.
- Design. It’s not a degree you can get anywhere. It teaches you about design and the processes that go into it.
- Design Technology. This is where you would work as a designer.
- Fashion Design. Learn how to make clothing, shoes, and accessories. This course is excellent if you are interested in designing shoes or clothes.
Some of these jobs can also be served best by a degree from a vocational school or an apprenticeship.
- Goldsmiths are often apprentices. But, many of the skills can be learned at trade schools.
- The jeweler position can also be a job that is usually apprenticed for. Vocation Schools will also provide these skills.
- Tailors can also learn from Clothiers; alterations tailors are typically trained on the job.
- Although there are no requirements to be a jewel polisher, getting some training at vocational schools is a good idea.
- There are no schools that offer shoe repair training.
- Bootmakers of high level will learn from apprentices to acquire the necessary skills.
These jobs may offer certifications, but the experience is your best chance to progress in your career.
WHAT DO PEOPLE WORKING IN CLOTHING/SHOE/ACCESSORY STORES DO?
They sell cloths to customers. This involves designing and getting the cloth to the retail store, and putting it on the shelf for customers to select.
The majority of people in this field will work in retail stores. They advise customers, organize the stores, and ring up sales.
Others will be more involved in the design aspect, creating products for their customers. Others will be highly skilled or trained and create the products. This includes jewelers, goldsmiths, boot makers, clothiers, and boot manufacturers.
It is a great industry to explore if you enjoy working with customers and apparel.
