Retail and Logistics

Retail is the largest area of the UK’s service sector, with more than three million employees. Manchester City Centre and the Trafford Centre remain highly popular destinations for shoppers, making the region’s Retail and Logistics sector particularly strong. The Logistics sector employs 45,000 people, largely concentrated around Trafford, Wigan and Rochdale. There are higher level skills needs in the areas of middle and senior management.

Making retail and logistics a career of choice is key objective of the Sector Development Group (SDG). The need for higher level skills within the sector is growing, with opportunities available as retail and logistics managers, sales representatives, transport and distribution managers and storage and warehouse managers. The adoption of Progression Agreements between educational institutions further increases the desirability of a career in retail and logistics.

Over the past year the Retail and Logistics Sector Development Group have initiated a special project to further develop the foundation degree in Logistics. This project is looking to include industry accreditation and more flexible delivery options that meet the needs of employers. The group has also supported the development of the foundation degree in Retail currently being delivered through Tesco. The group is co-chaired by Ruth Ashford and Stan Oliver.

Members of the Retail and Logistics SDG:

Goskills

Greater Manchester

Aimhigher

Logistics College North West

Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Training

Open University in the North West

Retail Skills Shop

Road Haulage Association

Skills for Logistics

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK

The Manchester College

University of Bolton Wigan & Leigh College

Please find minutes and project plans of your SDG in the members' area.