Experienced and well trained service positions are always highly sought after

As the consumer market grows and expands to second, third and fourth-tier cities, the need for trained, informed sales and service staff has skyrocketed. The lack of a tradition of service quality makes it difficult for staff to recognize and provide good service, particularly for luxury brands.

Covid19 has undoubtedly negatively impacted retail and luxury globally, and China’s retail consumption rate dipped by 3.9% in 2020. On the other hand, the unprecedented measures drove online sales to an all time high. China is on track to becoming the largest luxury market by 2025 as well, and as a result of travel restrictions, the luxury domestic market in China is still growing because local sales are now driven by local wealth Chinese consumers.

Skills in demand

Despite slower growth in the retail sector, the Retail & Luxury sector is still facing a talent shortage. With technology ramping up the speed of development and consumers’ realm of retail shopping, the race to securing top talent is intense. Well trained and experienced talents in sales and service positions are typically highly sought after. Marketing and technology related expertise are the two key skills high in demand in recent years due to the e-commerce boom.

Retail & Luxury recruitment in Hong Kong is slowed down as a result of Covid19

As a shopping destination in Asia, retail has been one of the core pillars of Hong Kong’s economy, with a direct impact from tourism. Due to Covid19 and political instability haunting Hong Kong, the retail & luxury sector has been severely affected by challenges as a result of the pandemic.

Positions in demand

A government report has shown that the manpower in the Retail & Luxury sector in Hong Kong could face a shortfall of estimated 250,000 workers. The lack of talent is frustrating the sector’s growth through digitalisation, hindering Hong Kong’s global competitiveness. Typically, due to high turnover rate, the positions in demand are frontline service staff as well as technicians behind retail technologies. In recent years, the in demand positions for recruitment include Operations and Digital Marketing as well.

Marketing and Social Media positions are highly sought after in this pandemic Retail & Luxury scene

Like most countries, the Retail & Luxury sector in Singapore has also been negatively impacted by Covid19. However, due to the semi lifting of restrictions in the second half of 2020, retail sales recovery was moderated and showed signs of slow improvements. In 2021, consumers learn to adapt to the post-pandemic retail scene, urging businesses to begin digitalising.

Positions in demand

As a result, the e-commerce landscape is becoming increasingly saturated, and social media has a huge impact in capturing Singapore consumers’ attention today. The need for omnichannel strategies for companies have driven the demand for positions related to marketing, social media, and performance tracking related positions.

Due to slow growth, this sector will only improve when Singapore returns to full employment with salaries reinstated to pre-Covid levels.