Retail Leaders Degree Apprenticeship

📣 Tobi’s Take: This isn’t a typical apprenticeship you’ll start on the shop floor, learning how one of the UK’s most iconic retailers runs day to day, before stepping into your first leadership role within months. From managing people and operations to shaping the customer experience, you’ll be building the skills to run a multi-million-pound store. You might not initially be drawn to managing a store but it's fast paced and gives you the knowledge you need to build a commercial career with one of the biggest brands in the country.

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✅ Show them you’ve got ambition, curiosity for retail, and the drive to lead. If you’ve ever motivated a team, delivered against tough goals, or taken the initiative to improve how things are done, you’ll stand out here.

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❓ About the programme

Progress your learning and develop the skills needed to lead one of our multi-million-pound stores.

💥 What you’ll be doing

• Begin as a Customer Assistant, immersing yourself in the processes that make our stores run smoothly and getting close to customers and colleagues. Work across all departments and learn from experienced managers.
• Develop technical and leadership skills as you move into your first Team Manager role. At six months, enrol onto a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.
• Take on training to prepare for Deputy or Store Manager responsibilities within 18–24 months, continuing to grow your experience of leading your own team, supporting daily operations, and building wider business knowledge.

🌟 What it takes to succeed

• Strong leadership potential. No degree needed.
• Ambition to lead, communicate clearly, and respond confidently.
• Deliver 5-star service, with attention to detail, safety, and delivery.
• Ready to deliver against goals and targets to meet business plans.
• Curiosity for retail and genuine interest in customers.

🛣️ Where it could lead

By the end of the programme, you’ll be ready to take on the responsibilities of a Deputy or Store Manager. Future opportunities include Regional Manager or roles in other areas of the business. An example of your career path 👇🏽

• Customer Assistant – Learn store operations and customer service, take the lead on projects early.
• Team Manager – Lead and develop a team while studying towards your degree.
• Deputy Store Manager / Store Manager – Manage daily operations, deliver regional projects, and build business knowledge.
• Store Manager – Lead a store team and take full operational responsibility.
• Larger retail role – Potential progression to Regional Manager or full-line/academy store management.

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🛍️ Why choose M&S Retail?

M&S has a strong own-brand model and a reputation for quality, value, and innovation. The five-year vision is to reshape retail for the future, and this programme positions you as a potential future leader of M&S.