Information Technology

IT departments provide the most efficient systems that support the complete supply chain. When doing its job well, it goes unnoticed but IT departments are becoming increasingly high profile with the rise of online retailing.

Online retailing has changed the retail landscape dramatically and put IT at the heart of the business, meaning having a creative and progressive team of developers has become essential to all retailers.

Websites are now often the first point of contact for many consumers and businesses need to offer a well-designed and enjoyable online experience as much as aspeedy and reliable computer screen at the checkout. IT professionals have to be able to deliver both, as well as working closely with all the other departments to design programs that can support their varied work requirements.

Obviously, technological expertise, creativity, team-working skills and knowledge of how different retail departments function are all important qualities for working in retail IT. Because of rapid developments and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies, competition to work in this department can be quite intense. Many employers have graduate IT schemes and look for a 2:1 or above in a related subject.

What can you earn?

Starting salaries for IT graduates in retail vary between £25,000 and £30,000, dependent upon location and retailer, while senior level salaries range from £44,000 to £80,000+.