“Tamkeen”: “retail” the highest employment in Bahrain with more than 130 thousand workers

Ayman shape

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The percentage of cadres working in the retail sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain is considered to be the highest, as the sector employed in 2023 more than 130 thousand workers in all its sub -sectors, it acquired the largest percentage of which is about 87% and with approximately 114 thousand employees, compared to 16.5 thousand employees by 13 % Of the total workers in the sector, according to the retail skills report issued by the Labor Fund (Tamkeen).

Last August, Minister of Labor Jamil Humaidan pointed out that there is increased growth in attracting citizens in various productive sectors, especially the retail sector, as the rate of employment growth in various job vacancies, technical, administrative and supervisory vacancies, reached 31%.

In the Kingdom’s separate economic report for the first quarter of 2024, which was published by the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, the wholesale and retail trade sector witnessed a growth of 5.7%, as the value of the transactions of points of sale and e -commerce witnessed an increase of 9.0%, and the number of commercial records issued by companies increased by 4.5 %.

The sector also achieved a growth rate equivalent to 7% of the real GDP in the year 2023, as the retail sector is one of the most prominent and growing sectors in Bahrain.

The retail sector is considered one of the largest sectors generating employment opportunities in Bahrain, and the workplace is the largest of its kind in the private sector, as the recovery rate in the retail sector constituted about 23% of the total cadres working in the private sector during the second quarter of the year 2023, which confirms The importance of this sector in providing enormous job opportunities for Bahraini competencies.

In Bahrain, the working authorities in the retail sector vary between promising local brands and major global chains, as local trademarks are an important part of certain industries such as fashion and jewelry, and by integrating elements of Bahraini heritage and culture within their shows, products and designs in proportion to public taste and market privacy Local.

Global retail chains in Bahrain are through the agents of local family companies, as they play a pivotal role in offering international retail practices and innovations in the local market, and these global institutions are working to upgrade competition standards, so that international chains provide a wide range of job opportunities, so that workers benefit from progress It is in a work environment that meets global standards.

In the year 2023, the sector was able to contribute about 4.6% of the total size of foreign direct investment, straining 738.19 million dinars, while the wholesale and retail trade sector recorded investment flows of 29.9 million dinars during that year, and during the second quarter of 2024 the value of foreign direct investment increased in Bahrain recorded 16.6 billion dinars, compared to what it was during the second quarter of 2023, which amounted to 15.2 billion Bahraini dinars, up 9.0%.

The map of the professional paths for the retail sector determines the jobs under each sector, where it comes at the electronic trade sector summit, the general manager of e -commerce, then the director of activities, and an executive official of activities and another of operations, mobilization, shipping and distribution is branched out. As for the commodity marketing sector, he begins with the Director General of Marketing It is followed by the director of the product category, then a purchasing employee and an assistant such as a treasurer, sales assistant or customer service representative.

In the retail sector, the regional manager comes at the top of the pyramid of the jobs, then the store manager and sales supervisor, while marketing and communications will have a general manager after him the jobs are divided into two parts: the director of marketing and communications, and the director of visual marketing, which comes after each of them respectively, Executive Officer for Marketing and Communications, and visual marketing official.

The map of functional tracks is a reference that reflects the available jobs and possible job development paths in the sector, as these tracks differ according to the structure of each company and the context of its business, and job progress is related to the per capita performance, capabilities and experience, in addition to the company’s needs.

Director of e -commerce activities

The “Tamkeen” report highlights the most prominent professions such as the director of e -commerce activities, which leads the efforts to develop the electronic sales platform of the institution and enhance its operational efficiency. This function is focused on upgrading customer experience, improving storage, mobilization, shipping and distribution activities, and ensuring an infrastructure of the latest technology.

The director of e -commerce activities is responsible for a variety of tasks such as deduction of implemented visions of available data, managing relationships with business partners, and leading digital marketing initiatives. These responsibilities may involve the development and implementation of electronic trade campaigns, supervision of promotion activities, and maintenance of information technology systems to help the work team achieve the desired goals at the level of sales and performance.

Optical Marketing Officer

The visual marketing official in the retail sector aims to advance the shopping experience by coordinating the exhibits in the store in an optical way, as well as planning the public site in the store in a way that highlights the products.

The visual marketing official is responsible for arranging commodities strategically and presenting them aesthetically. It also designs exhibits that help to draw attention and attract customers in order to stimulate sales and enhance awareness of the brand.

Usually, aspiring individuals are to occupy the function of the visual marketing official with a mix of creativity, strategic thinking and the ability to understand consumer behavior.

Sales Assistant – Treasurer – Customer Service Representative

The sales assistant undertakes the tasks of raising the percentage of sales, providing high -quality service and maintaining operating standards in the retail environment. While the treasurer performs transactions at the points of sale efficiently and effectively to ensure the proceeding of the process of payment smoothly. As for the representative of customer service, he focuses on ensuring a positive experience to customers by dealing directly with them, responding to inquiries, solving problems, and providing detailed information on products and services.

There is an increasing orientation towards mergement of sales assistant jobs, fund secretary and customer service representative within one position that focuses on improving customer experience. Many retailers apply rotation programs that allow employees to switch between these career roles, which contributes to developing a variety of skills that can be applied at the level of different transactions with customers.

This approach helps to expand employee capabilities and improve their professional development opportunities.

Regional Director

The regional director in the retail sector supervises the operations of several stores within a specific country or region. He is responsible for managing the strategic approach and carrying out operations at the level of all stores, while ensuring that business opportunities are increased, seized in the best way and achieving operational efficiency. This job role requires sales performance, risks, compliance, and a culture based on service and innovation. The regional director is responsible for the team’s productivity, the management of concession chains, the allocation of budget, with property and real estate management and the planning of infrastructure as well.

The report concluded that the retail sector in Bahrain has abundant and valuable opportunities for professional progress and growth. Individuals looking for a job opportunity can go into a successful professional path in the retail sector, from beginners’ jobs to promotion to supervisory job roles and higher administrative positions. Experience in the field of dealing with customers is one of the most important ingredients for job promotion, and contributes to building a solid base for a professional path in the field of management. The work authorities must spread awareness of the promising professional paths among those interested in working in the sector in order to change the impressions and attract their interests.

The report emphasized the existence of a high demand for job roles related to retail, supply and electronic trade chains, with the preference of local competencies. The sector seeks to appoint more Bahrainis in the jobs concerned with direct dealing with customers.

The report pointed out that the ability to adapt is a basic skill on which there is a great demand by retailers, which are looking for an employee who can make the decision quickly, and adapts to the market conditions to be able to achieve growth, protect business and ensure their continuity. Therefore, employees who enjoy this skill are valuable assets among the working cadres, which makes them at the forefront of candidates for promotions and leadership positions.

The retail employees should also adopt the continuous learning approach and turn their focus towards providing an exceptional customer experience.