We are now hiring for the our new cohort of Retail Academy 2025 apprentices. We are looking for individuals with a strong passion for luxury retail and client services to join our welcoming and close-knit Harrods team.
The Retail Academy is our early careers apprenticeship programme, in which you will gain a Level 3 Retail Team Leader qualification. This a great opportunity to develop the skills to start your career with one of the most well-known luxury department stores in the world, gain a recognised qualification, and earn a salary whilst you’re doing it. Once you’ve successfully completed the programme, you’ll be offered a permanent sales associate position and ready to develop your career with us, wherever it may take you!
You’ll enjoy a package that includes an annual salary of £26,520 (and access to a competitive bonus or commission scheme), a company pension, 22 days’ holiday annually and your birthday off, up to 33% Harrods discount (including across our Foodhalls and restaurants), and a season ticket loan.
About the Role
Over 18 months, you will experience luxury retail as it happens on the shopfloor as a Sales Associate, working within three different departments for six months each. Alongside your full time role as a Sales Associate, you will receive an additional learning schedule. This will show a timetable of your Fashion Retail Academy days, study days and professional development sessions at Harrods Headquarters; this will average around 5 days per month.
In this programme you will:
- Learn all about the art of selling, uncover behind the scenes of luxury retail and have clear goals & targets to achieve as a Sales Associate on the shop floor
- Attend regular training sessions with your programme manager to build your confidence, establish yourself in your role and boost your professional development.
- You will also attend taught sessions at the Fashion Retail Academy and study for your Level 3 qualification. The study module of the programme will also include regular assessments and project submissions.
- You’ll have your own tutor from the Fashion Retail Academy and will be coached and supported, as well as having a friend at work to lean on who has been in your shoes.
- Our assessment centres will be held this coming February, with successful applicants being confirmed shortly after. The Retail Academy will commence in September 2025.
About You
It is not essential that you have experience within a retail environment, we will invest in your development to fill in any of the gaps and give you the tools needed to succeed. You must however, be passionate about luxury retail, providing world class customer service, going above and beyond to create moments of delight and align with our Harrods values.
You will also have:
- Excellent organisational and time management skills to manage different shift patterns, your learning schedule and college work.
- Ability to remain calm, and measured even when under pressure. A sales driven approach with a passion to meet and exceed sales targets.
- Strong communication skills to efficiently and effectively communicate with clients and management.
- A growth mindset, embracing all department rotations and maximising opportunities presented to you whilst on the programme.
- Be collaborative in your nature, and thrive as part of a team.
- Full flexibility to work any 5 days of the week (including weekends & evenings)
About Us
Harrods is one of the world’s leading luxury department stores and we’re becoming a destination for top designers and the most sought-after brands from around the globe. Our combined mission is to make visiting our iconic Knightsbridge store one of the world’s most inspiring shopping experiences.
Our Promise to You
Help us make the impossible possible for our customers and we’ll do something remarkable for you. As well as offering a friendly environment to inspire your best work, we provide abundant opportunities and support to build an exceptional career across the varied specialisms of our business.
Uniquely You
Whilst our job adverts outline the ideal qualities, skills, and prior experience for the role, we believe in the potential for growth and value individual strengths. If you can demonstrate the majority of skills and strong experience to thrive in this role, we would encourage you to apply.
At Harrods we believe the personality and authenticity of our people sets us apart. We celebrate and invite applications from all cultures, backgrounds, tastes, and experiences and are proud of our culture where people from all walks of life can grow and thrive. What makes you unique makes us exceptional.
If you want to know more about our people and our culture, search #TogetherHarrods on LinkedIn, Facebook or follow us on Instagram @togetherharrods
