The Retail Sales work force and the unnoticed potential

The Retail Sales work force and the unnoticed potential

The Retail HR Conclave organized by the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) and the Retailers Association’s Skill Council of India (RASCI) was aimed at creating an awareness on skill development in retail sector, and to deliberate on emerging job roles, skill deficit and demand, internship and traininng venues, placemnet opportunities, innovative practices, and various other opportunities and challenges in the sector connecting to Human resourcece. ASAP considers role of industry as crucial thereby in the forefront to strengthening the Industry relationship. The first Retail Conclave organized by ASAP was witnessed by the participation of delegates from human resource domain of retail industry.


The Conclave started by 10.30. Ms. Ambili E. Kurian Senior Programme Manager - Retail Sector welcomes the participants. Mr. Ravi Deecee, CEO, DC Books & Chairman, Retail Business Advisory Committee, ASAP presided over the function. Inviting attention to the skill deficit in the retail sector, he emphasized on collective intervention to bridge the gap. Rather than big retail chains, independent stores are the unique feature of the retail sector of Kerala. Thus skill is of great need especially in the entry level. The need of the hour is making the sector aspirational and creating more learning spaces; said Mr. Ravee. Further, it is important to create surplus trainers and to ensure their quality.

We have limited best practices to be adopted because of shortcoming in the training and short tenure of employment. However the importance of retails sales work force cannot be ignored. Online retail is an emerging area with immense scope for exploitation in the context of skill development and job opportunities. Mr. Ravee alluded for opening more onshore training spaces and internship opportunities for aspirants in the retails industry. Turing work space to learning space is a worth implementing practice. Along with undergraduate courses, possibilities for degree level courses in retail sector also to be explored. He also stressed on the vast opportunities in entrepreneurial aspects of retail business.