Head of Retail - Travel

JR United Kingdom; Kingston upon Hull; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the travel industry is seeking a Head of Retail in Kingston upon Hull. This role involves developing retail strategies and managing operations for duty-free environments, focusing on sales growth and exceptional customer experiences. Candidates must have extensive experience in high-volume retail management, especially within duty-free or travel retail sectors.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience in high-volume retail, particularly in duty-free or travel retail environments.
• Proven sales and profitability achievements in multi-store retail.
• Strong understanding of duty-free and retail operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement retail strategies for duty-free and tender processes.
• Drive sales and profitability through effective merchandising and promotions.
• Oversee retail operations and manage budgets while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Sales Growth

Retail Operations

Job description

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Head of Retail - Travel, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire

Client:

The Change Partners - Global talent specialists for a connected world

Location:

Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

4

Posted:

04.06.2025

Expiry Date:

19.07.2025

Job Description:

The Change Partners are working with an iconic Travel brand looking for a Head of Retail on an initial contract to permanent basis, starting part-time (1-2 days per week initially, increasing over time).

The Head of Retail will be responsible for overall retail strategy and execution, including duty-free and operator tender management and implementation, working closely with operators for retail execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overall retail strategy for all duty-free and tender processes, aligning with company objectives and market trends.
• Drive sales targets and profitability across all stores through effective merchandising, promotions, and sales team motivation.
• Oversee all aspects of retail operations, including inventory management, visual merchandising, store maintenance, and adherence to operational standards and regulations specific to duty-free and tender environments.
• Manage and execute outlet implementation with operators.
• Champion a customer-centric approach, ensuring exceptional service delivery and a memorable shopping experience for international travelers.
• Manage budgets, analyze sales data, control costs, and provide regular commercial reports to senior management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with authorities, concessionaires, brand partners, and other stakeholders in the duty-free and tender ecosystem.
• Stay informed about industry trends, competitor activities, and traveler demographics to identify new opportunities and inform strategic decisions.
• Participate in and oversee the development of competitive tender bids for retail concessions, demonstrating understanding of commercial terms and operational requirements.

Your background:

• Minimum of 5 years experience in high-volume retail, specifically within duty-free, travel retail, airports, rail, or similar international concession environments.
• Proven success in driving sales growth and profitability in a multi-store retail portfolio.
• Strong understanding of duty-free operational complexities, retail operations, and concession agreements.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams.
• Proven financial skills, including budget management, forecasting, and P&L responsibility.