Retail Insight Center Could Help You Ace that Job Interview

When it comes to getting that entry-level management post in retail, it’s not only who you know but what you know. And the “what” just got a little easier.

Arming yourself with retail industry data for the next job interview can be a challenge. The industry is awash with sources, reports and websites--the Census Bureau, Department of Commerce, the list goes on and on. 

The NRF Foundation, the careers and education division of the National Retail Federation, recently announced the launch of its new Retail Insight Center. It provides up-to-date, comprehensive industry data that unites industry research from government sources, NRF studies, and historical and current consumer trend data from BIGinsight.

The Insight Center presents job seekers with a single source of information for retail industry trends—everything from sales, employment and consumer spending to who’s buying smartphones and a full spectrum of mobile devices.

The NRF Foundation also provides a Spotlight on Retail Employees report, which reveals the diversity in jobs, demographics of retail employees and much more. To access the Insight Center, visit research.nrffoundation.com. It’s available to anyone. Here’s a heads up on a few things you need to know before you jump into all this data:

• All data is organized by topic, not source. It includes NRF’s original research, derived retail industry sales data, some partnered research, relevant public government data, and timely consumer data from BIGinsight.
   
• Specific data are also available on the size and scope of retail companies, including the most up-to-date information on e-Commerce sales and quarterly changes. Updates are posted automatically and based on the most current available data.
   
• You can export charts, download the data, or build your own customized report, combining research from various parts of the center.
   
• Charts are customizable after logging in. You can select a date range, demographics, and even type of chart--like a pie, bar, or line graph--where the data is available.
   
• Many pages have custom links to relevant materials that exist elsewhere on NRF sites, such as blog posts and news releases.
   
• Historical consumer spending information for holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Halloween and Christmas/winter holidays can also be found. The same holds true for historical data on yearly sales, employment by retail sector, and monthly retail employment

“Over the years, the National Retail Federation has built a solid reputation as a key source for consumer, industry and government data as it relates to retail, and the Retail Insight Center now lets us package all of that valuable data into one place,” said NRF Foundation Executive Director Ellen Davis. “The Retail Insight Center will offer retailers, the media and consumers instant access to some of the most important trends in retail careers and employment, holiday spending and insights into key economic indicators and influencers impacting consumers’ spending plans.”

Explore the site and customize a chart of your own. See how valuable the information can be in your next job search and interview.

Image courtesy of Michal Marcol/FreeDigitalPhotos.net