Whatever stage of your career you’re currently at, the benefits of a well-written retail CV cannot be overstated. From giving employers a quick snapshot of you as a candidate, to allowing you to showcase all of your professional assets, your curriculum vitae plays a crucial role in your career success.

Should the idea of writing a retail CV from scratch seem daunting to you, you’ll be pleased to know that the following guide contains everything you need to ace the task.

Covering every single CV section, our comprehensive guide to writing a retail curriculum vitae will show you how to demonstrate your strengths as a candidate and make a good impression from the get-go. Apart from expert tips and advice, you’ll also find many examples of CVs for different stages of the retail career.

Take a look at our extensive library of CV templates to find inspiration for your own job application.

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Retail CV examples by experience

A good place to start when creating your retail resume is taking a look at how different CVs look based on the experience level they’re focused on. Below, you can find CV templates for candidates with both no retail experience whatsoever and many years’ worth of experience in the retail sector. Studying the differences between these CVs will give you an idea of how to structure your own, as well as what kind of information to include to help you meet your specific career goals.

Take a look below for retail CV examples.

Retail CV with no experience

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Should you be at the very start of your retail career journey, your CV should ideally focus on things such as transferable skills, education, volunteering experience, as well as any relevant professional experiences you’ve had that are at least somewhat relevant to the retail job you’re applying for.

Remember – given that you’re still a rookie in the world of retail jobs, you need to be more strategic in how you craft your CV and what sections you emphasise.

Retail CV for a mid-career level

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The retail CV example for candidates at the mid-career level is slightly more straightforward. Since you already possess some relevant retail experience, and skills needed to advance in the field, all that’s left is demonstrating it in your CV.

Retail CV for a senior level

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A senior-level retail CV focuses on highlighting your extensive experience in the retail industry, emphasising your achievements, leadership roles, specialised skills, and a proven track record of success in all your positions.

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Retail CV sections

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Like any other resume, your retail CV should be logically divided into several sections. Each section provides a unique opportunity to showcase your strengths and demonstrate to employers that you have the qualifications to excel in the role you’re applying for.

Below, we’ll discuss the various sections and components to include when crafting your retail CV, along with tips on how to present them effectively.

STEP 1

Personal statement samples for a Retail CV

Crafting an effective personal statement for your retail CV is crucial. Positioned at the top of your CV, it’s one of the first things hiring managers see and can therefore play a part in whether you get the retail job you’re after.

As you may well know, your personal statement, often called a “professional summary,” is a brief paragraph that highlights your key skills, achievements, and career experiences. Typically 2-4 sentences long, it serves to introduce you to employers and demonstrate your suitability for the retail role you’re seeking.

EXAMPLE 1.

Strategic Retail Manager with vast experience in marketing and management. Proven track record in meeting short-term and long-term goals. Proficient in cultivating, fostering and leveraging customer relationships.

EXAMPLE 2.

Accomplished Retail Assistant, well-versed in delivering high levels of customer service for an optimum sales experience. As passionate in maintaining beautifully, well-stocked store displays as in exceeding customer satisfaction expectations.

EXAMPLE 3.

Responsible Cashier experienced at managing front of store needs in busy environments. Friendly and energetic with strong communication and organisational abilities. Seeking a role of increased responsibility where strengths in service and sales will be valuable.

STEP 2

Retail CV work experience samples

A highly client-facing field, roles in retail typically require candidates to demonstrate their capacity for handling one-on-one interaction with clientele and ensuring customer satisfaction. The work experience section offers a prime opportunity for you to demonstrate your track record in handling such interaction, as well as other crucial skills such as customer service, problem-solving and sales skills.

EXAMPLE 1.

Retail Manager | Lush, London | February 2022 – Present

  • Toured the sales floor regularly, assessing and improving daily operations.
  • Recruited and trained staff members, leading by example to consistently elevate store standards.
  • Ran promotions and events in line with company standards.
  • Inspired team to represent brand with enthusiasm by maintaining high standards.

EXAMPLE 2.

Retail Assistant | H&M, London | May 2021 – February 2022

  • Delivered outstanding in-store experience through positive and attentive customer service.
  • Greeted customers and offered assistance with selecting merchandise, finding accessories and completing purchases.
  • Continually replenished stock in line with sales records, keeping well-maintained, presentable item displays.
  • Carried out sales floor cleaning, maintaining impeccably high store presentation and hygiene standards.

EXAMPLE 3.

Cashier | Tesco, Leeds | May 2017 – June 2020

  • Resolved customer complaints and answered queries about store products.
  • Processed sales, exchange and refund transactions efficiently to reduce customer waiting times.
  • Used cash registers and POS systems to request and record customer orders and compute transactions.
  • Handled cash and card payments with precision, maintaining customer confidentiality and discretion throughout.
STEP 3

Sample Retail skills

While roles in retail are mainly focused around soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and attention to detail, that’s not to say technical skills do not come into the mix. On the contrary, as you advance in your retail career, you’ll find that employers expect you to possess those harder skills.

Listing your technical competencies on your retail CV can significantly enhance your chances of success, demonstrating to employers that you have what’s needed to excel in the role you’re applying for.

TECHNICAL SKILLS FOR YOUR RETAIL CV INCLUDE

  • Point of Sale (POS) Systems
  • Inventory Management Systems
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
  • E-commerce Platforms
  • Data Analysis
  • Digital Payment Systems
  • Merchandising Software
  • Scheduling and Workforce Management Tools
  • Customer Service Technology
  • Mobile Device Usage
  • Social Media and Digital Marketing Tools
  • Security Systems
  • Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
  • Omnichannel Retailing
  • Self-checkout Systems
  • Mobile Payment Solutions
  • Online Chat and Virtual Assistance
  • Cloud-based Collaboration Tools
  • Digital Signage
STEP 4

Sample education section for a Retail CV

As far as qualifications go, retail roles don’t typically require candidates to have obtained a degree. Many people come into the industry through an entry-level position on the shop floor. Of course, as with other sectors, the level of qualifications you need will also be determined by the direction you want to take your career.

In any case, the education section of your retail CV should highlight relevant qualifications, i.e. those most closely related to the retail role you’re applying for. This approach demonstrates to employers that you understand the job requirements. Remember – the cover letter also offers you the opportunity to include more detail with regards to your educational history, in case you feel that detail is necessary.

Example of the education section for a Retail Manager

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Retail Management, Edinburgh Napier University, 2019

Relevant coursework: Retail Operations, Marketing Strategies, Consumer Behaviour, Business Analytics, Supply Chain Management, Financial Accounting, Human Resource Management

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Certification in Retail Management, Retail Management Institute, Online, 2020

Example of the education section for a Cashier

EDUCATION

  • GCSEs, Parliament Hill School, London, 2015

GCSEs: Mathematics (Grade B), English Language (Grade B), Science (Grade C), Business Studies (Grade C), ICT (Grade C)

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Customer Service Training, RetailSkills Academy, London, 2017

Key topics: Cash Handling Procedures, Customer Interaction, Point of Sale (POS) Systems

STEP 5

Additional information for your Retail CV

Adding additional information to your retail CV has the potential to really strengthen your job application. Whatever your level of experience or career goals, doing so offers multiple benefits – from giving employers extra examples of your competencies, to proving you’re worth giving a chance despite little retail experience.

Additional information for a Store Manager role:

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Certified Retail Manager (CRM)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Member, Retail Management Association
  • Member, British Retail Consortium

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Employee of the Month, H&M, London (multiple occasions)
  • SOFTWARE PROFICIENCY
  • Point of Sale (POS) Systems: Pro

Additional information for an Inventory Manager role:

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), 2022
  • Inventory Management Certificate
  • Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM), Completed: July 2021

KEY PROJECTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Warehouse Management System (WMS) Implementation

  • Led the deployment of a new WMS, improving order fulfilment speed by 25%.

Lean Inventory Project

  • Implemented lean inventory principles, reducing holding costs by 20% and improving turnover rates.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Member, Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM)

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    As we reach the end of this guide, we hope you’re feeling a lot less daunted about the idea of creating a CV for retail jobs. You’ll be pleased to know that the expert tips, guidelines and retail CV samples provided above are really all you need to create a CV that will impress prospective employers in the retail industry.

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