02 Mar 2021
This qualification is being withdrawn
The operational end date (last date for new starts) of this qualification is 31/07/2021 and the certification end date is 31/07/2022.
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
These qualifications are intended to provide learners with a broad introduction to the retail sector, equipping learners with underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the sector alongside a range of transferable employability skills. They are designed to support progression to further learning and ultimately to work in retail or other related sectors.
The Skills for Retail qualifications form part of our Suite of Skills qualifications that cover a number of sectors and are available at Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. The employability skills units are common across the suite, enabling easy transfer of credits between qualifications and supporting opportunities for cross-faculty working.
The qualifications have been developed with the support of a number of further education colleges, training providers and adult and community learning providers. They have been designed to be consistent with the principles for study programmes for 16-19 year olds but are also relevant, particularly in the case of the smaller qualifications, for adults including the unemployed. These qualifications are also suitable for pre 16 learners.
Rules of Combination
Learners must achieve 42 credits. They must complete the three mandatory units from Group M (Mandatory Units), totalling 9 credits. In addition, they must complete a minimum of 22 credits from Group O1 (Optional Units: Retail) and 11 further credits from either Group O1 or Group O2 (Optional Units: Employability). At least 27 credits must be at level 2 or above.
Units
Learners must complete the three mandatory units from Group M (Mandatory Units), totalling 9 credits.
Understanding Customer Service in the Retail Sector
Understanding the Retail Sector
Working in a Retail Team
Learners may complete up to 11 credits from this group.
Applying for a Job
Assessing own Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills
Career Planning
Effective Communication in the Workplace
Effectiveness at Work
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Interview Skills
Introduction to Self-Employment
Leadership Skills
Learning from Work Placement
Preparing for Work Placement
Preparing for an Interview
Searching for a Job
Setting and Meeting Targets at Work
Skills for Creative Thinkers
Skills for Effective Participants
Skills for Independent Enquirers
Skills for Reflective Learners
Skills for Self Managers
Skills for Team Workers
Solving Work-Related Problems
Time Management
Using Numeracy Skills in the Workplace
Working with Colleagues
Learners must complete 22 credits from this group.
Assemble Products for Display in a Retail Environment
Assemble Visual Merchandising Displays
Carry out Promotional Campaigns in a Retail Environment
Cash Up in a Retail Environment
Check Stock Levels and Sort out Problems with Stock Levels in a Retail Environment
Check the Accuracy of Records of Hours Worked by Staff in a Retail Environment
Contribute to Monitoring and Maintaining Ease of Shopping in a Retail Sales Area
Deal with Customer Queries and Complaints in a Retail Environment
Deliver Goods from a Retail Environment to the Customer's Delivery Address
Demonstrate Products to Customers in a Retail Environment
Dismantle and Store Props and Graphics from Visual Merchandising Displays
Display Stock to Promote Sales to Customers in a Retail Environment
Follow Guidelines for Planning and Preparing Visual Merchandising Displays
Follow Point-of-Sale Procedures for Age-Restricted Products in a Retail Environment
Keep Stock on Sale at Required Levels in a Retail Environment
Load Orders for Despatch from a Retail Store to Customers
Maintain Food Safety while Working with Food in a Retail Environment
Order and Position Signage and Graphics for Visual Merchandising Displays
Pick Products in a Retail Environment to Fulfil Customer Orders
Place Goods and Materials into Storage in a Retail Environment
Process Applications for Credit Agreements Offered in a Retail Environment
Process Customer Orders for Goods in a Retail Environment
Process Payments for Purchases in a Retail Environment
Process Returned Goods in a Retail Environment
Product Pricing and Labelling
Protect Own and Others' Health and Safety when Working in a Retail Environment
Receive Goods and Materials into Storage in a Retail Environment
Reduce Security Risks in a Retail Environment
The Principles of Food Safety for Retail
Underage Sales Prevention for Retail and Licensed Premises
Understand how to Approach Work-Based Projects within Retail Business
Understanding Retail Consumer Law
Understanding Retail Markets
Understanding Security and Loss Prevention in a Retail Business
Understanding Visual Merchandising for Retail Business
Understanding how a Retail Business Maintains Health and Safety on its Premises
Understanding how the Effectiveness of Store Operations can be Improved
Understanding how the Smooth Operation of a Payment Point is Maintained
Understanding the Control, Receipt and Storage of Stock in a Retail Business
Understanding the Handling of Customer Payments in a Retail Business
Understanding the Management of Stock in a Retail Business
Understanding the Retail Selling Process
Wrap and Pack Goods for Customers in a Retail Environment
What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification is suitable for learners who need a comprehensive introductory level 2 course in retail. It will be of specific relevance to:
• Young people, aged 16 and over, who are aspiring to a career in the retail sector but are not yet sure in which precise area, and who intend to access level 3 qualifications or a level 3 apprenticeship but need a fairly extensive learning programme at level 2 before they will be ready to access level 3
• People aged 16 and over, usually with prior attainment at level 1 and below, including those who have had a significant break from or disjointed experience of education, who wish to work in the retail sector but need a fairly extensive grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills over an extended period before identifying the most appropriate job roles and applying for work.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification provides learners with a wide range of introductory skills, as well as core knowledge, relevant to retail, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in the retail sector and across other sectors. You must take the following mandatory units:
• Understanding the Retail Sector
• Working in a Retail Team
• Understanding customer service in the retail sector
Optional units include knowledge and skills relevant to different job roles in the sector (such as merchandising displays, packing goods, labelling products) alongside generic employability skills (such as leadership skills and setting and meeting targets at work).
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma. Learners should take the Diploma if, before progressing to employment (with further training where possible), to a level 3 Apprenticeship or to a Level 3 qualification, they need an extended introduction to the sector, including the opportunity to build up a range of skills and knowledge, explore a number of potential job roles and career pathways in the sector, and gain a set of more generic workplace skills.
The Diploma will be suitable for learners who would benefit from an extended period of time working at level 2, up to 2 years, before progressing to employment or to a level 3 qualification or apprenticeship.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification could lead to a number of roles in retail such as retail or sales operative, customer service officer, assistant merchandiser or assistant store manager.
What are the progression options?
Learners can progress to a Level 3 certificate or diploma in retail or to a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Retail in any of the available pathways.
Progression & Entry Requirements
Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. However, learners will benefit from having English and maths skills at level 1. The qualification is available to learners aged 16 and over.Funding information
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View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website
We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.
This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.
The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.
Related Qualifications
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Diploma In Skills for Retail (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Diploma In Skills for Retail
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Award In Skills for Retail
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate In Skills for Retail
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Extended Certificate in Skills for Retail