"I am delighted that Fashion & Retail Personnel has been able to work on this project with Drapers. We wanted to create something that would be valuable to the whole industry, employers and employees alike.
The ethos of our business is to be as open and honest with our clients and candidates as possible, and sharing our insight with Drapers in order to create this piece of research is just one way of demonstrating this.
However, while everyone is interested in the figures it's also very important to remember that we work in a people business. The numbers can tell you so much, as can a candidate's CV, but we know that only meeting them in person can really decide their suitability for a role and their true worth.
So while it is clear that salaries are not quickly rising at the moment, candidates that have worked on their skills and experience - and properly researched what's needed to make the jump to the next rung on the career ladder - are still worth a premium. At the same time, employers need to be open-minded about the background of new recruits, especially for roles that are harder to fill, and be prepared to develop the staff they take on.
We live and breathe recruitment, and so we are very happy to have been involved in a piece of work with Drapers that shows how the fashion retail industry can provide exciting career paths."
You can read each article from the full survey below, alternatively download a PDF of the salary survey (1.9MB)
- Analysis of the fashion and retail job market - Pay may be static for many, but the dynamics of the jobs market mean both employers and employees are raising the stakes in other ways
- Buying jobs salary survey - While it's a popular career path for those wanting to break into the fashion industry, retailers will pay more for those with specialist buying skills
- Merchandising jobs salary survey - Home-grown merchandising talent is in hot demand with overseas retailers, and UK businesses are being encouraged to offer competitive packages in order to attract and retain staff
- Visual Merchandising jobs salary survey - With many candidates gunning for senior visual merchandising roles, retailers can afford to be exacting about their requirements
- Design / Designer jobs salary survey - Once you land a design role there is a good career ladder and pay prospects, but getting on the first rung is hard
- Technical jobs salary survey - Poor understanding of different career paths and a lack of quality technical courses means there aren't enough skilled candidates for retailers and brands
- Product Development jobs salary survey - Working in product development can be a stepping stone to the next level, so staff are happy to compromise on salary for a place at the right company
- Production jobs salary survey - Production candidates place a premium on roles working for brands or retailers, rather than suppliers
- Wholesale Merchandiser jobs salary survey - Recruiters are picky about the experience of wholesale merchandisers, so the best receive an attractive wage
- Sales / Account Management jobs salary survey - Sales is still financially rewarding, but people in these roles are being made to work harder for their money
- Ecommerce / Multichannel jobs salary survey - Ecommerce skills are in short supply, pushing up salaries and causing employers to expand their search for new recruits
- Fashion / Retail Marketing & PR jobs salary survey - It's an attractive area of fashion retail in which to work, but marketing and PR teams still place a premium on those with exceptional skills and experience
- Store / Retail Operations jobs salary survey - Candidates are being picky about who they work for, while employers can be demanding without paying more