Planting Roots in Retail

4/13/2018
Everybody loves spring. Whether you’re someone that can’t wait to enjoy that first warm-weather hike in a local park, or you’ve already bought your plants and seeds and are ready to get your hands dirty in the garden, spring gives all of us the opportunity to get back outside and celebrate new beginnings.

Spring is also an exciting time in the retail industry. As temperatures rise and flowers are blooming, stores across the country open their garden centers stock the shelves with products to enjoy the outdoors. It’s also the season of opportunity. It’s the time when many people think about getting a fresh start, learning something new, or taking a first step toward a long-term goal. And simply put, few industries offer more opportunity than retail.

Whether you’re a 16-year-old looking to earn your first paycheck or a mature worker looking to stay active later in life, retail offers individuals from all walks of life the ability to choose your own path. And the sky is the limit.

Just ask one of the many employees who planted their roots in retail and have been growing within the industry ever since.

Like the assistant store manager who started at Lowe’s as a seasonal cashier six years ago. Or the 33-year veteran Publix employee who works his way up from part-time associate to leadership development manager. Or the sales associate that joined Gap in 1975 as a seasonal employee, but now, 43 years later, considers everyone at the company family.

These “part-time to profession” stories don’t get told often, but they’re common in the retail industry. The ladder of opportunity in retail means everyone has a fair chance to build a career that works for them. And as spring brings a rush of seasonal hires, it’s important to note that seasonal hiring isn’t just about making sure garden centers are staffed and flip flops are well stocked. It’s about opening the door for all to the endless possibilities that exist when working in retail.

For some, a spring job is a first paycheck, for others it’s a chance to earn extra money on a flexible schedule. But for many, it’s the first step on a career ladder with boundless opportunities.

In addition to offering the scheduling flexibility and upward mobility that have served as the hallmark of the industry for decades, more and more retailers are offering mentorship programs, leadership development, and skills training to ensure employees have the tools they need to succeed in life. Whether that means providing tech education to teens or skilled trade apprenticeships, or even on-the-job management training, retailers know investing in their employees is key to their future success.

It’s for these very reasons that each year, thousands of people across the country, including many this spring season, choose to plant their roots in retail.

We can’t wait to see how they grow.
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