You could do a college course, which may help if you want to open your own store.

Courses include:

• business start up
• preparing to set up in a new business
• retail skills
• business essentials
• retail skills sales professional

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a retail chain to learn the skills needed in this job.

Apprenticeships include:

• Retailer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Retail Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Retail Leadership Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

You can get retail experience through volunteering with charities that operate high street shops. The skills you pick up can help when applying for paid jobs.

You can become a shopkeeper by taking over an existing business or opening a franchise. You can also set up your own retail outlet on the high street, at a market or online.

It'll help if you've got some experience in retail, sales, administration or business management.

You can find advice online about setting up and running your own business and through organisations like the King's Trust.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• leadership skills
• to enjoy working with other people
• maths knowledge
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• business management skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• be over 18 to sell alcohol and other restricted goods

As a shopkeeper, you'll:

• keep shop displays and pricing up to date
• take card and cash payments, and deal with returns
• answer customer questions and give advice about products
• manage stock control and place orders with wholesalers
• process online sales and market your products
• recruit, train and supervise shop assistants
• calculate takings, process wages and manage accounts

You could work at a store.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.