Head of Retail - Travel

JR United Kingdom; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An iconic travel brand is seeking a Head of Retail to lead their retail strategy and operations, initially on a part-time basis. The role requires significant experience in high-volume retail and a strong understanding of duty-free environments. This position offers the opportunity to drive sales growth and develop strategic initiatives in a dynamic setting.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement retail strategy, aligning with market trends.
• Oversee retail operations and manage budgets.
• Drive sales targets and profitability through effective merchandising.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Financial Management

Customer Service

Sales Growth

Job description

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The Change Partners - Global talent specialists for a connected world

Location:

Peterborough, 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 that is looking for a Head of Retail on an initial contract-to-permanent basis, starting part-time (1-2 days per week initially, with potential to increase).

The Head of Retail will be responsible for the 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 duty-free and tender, 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 compliance with 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 relevant authorities, concessionaires, brand partners, and other stakeholders in the duty-free and tender ecosystem.
• Stay updated on 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, with significant experience in 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.