Retail property management

Large retailers’ property assets run into billions of pounds and managing these is a mammoth task. It’s no surprise, then, that retailers employ large property teams to deal with all aspects of property management and development. Important activities carried out by property professionals include acquiring new sites, designing and building new stores, and maintaining or upgrading existing ones (this could mean extending floor space and refitting stores at regular intervals).

Key to these activities is the development of a property strategy that will meet predicted business needs in terms of sales, space and costs. Naturally, this involves a thorough understanding of an organisation’s growth targets. A relatively recent development is the introduction of energy-efficient stores to combat climate change.

You are likely to work both in the office and on site – the balance will depend upon the specific role. If you were based in the construction team, for example, you might spend a significant amount of time on site. However, all areas of work will involve visits to existing, developing or potential sites.

Starting out in retail property management

If you want to work in property within the retail sector you will generally need a good degree, preferably in a property-related subject. However, if you are a strong candidate from another discipline you’d stand a good chance of getting into the area if you have some relevant work experience, insights into the property sector and a genuine passion for working in retail property.

Larger retailers run graduate programmes specialising in property and candidates will face stiff competition to win a place. If you get through, you could spend time in different placements: for example, working on property acquisitions, developing stores, in terms of their layout and visual appearance, or building stores, from initial concept to the finished building.

As you progress in your career and become involved with higher level strategies, you will probably be liaising with people from all the departments within a property team, and continually learning new skills and extending your expertise.

Skills for graduate property jobs in retail

Working with professionals from all disciplines means that you’ll need strong team-working and communication skills and, above all, should relish being a fast-paced working environment.

Gemma Punshon has been working at Tesco since 1995. She moved to their head office in 2001 and has been a property programme manager since 2006. She has a BA in town planning and management and a diploma in town planning from the University of Nottingham.