Agency boss tells redundant shop workers they should 'join us'

The managing director of independent agency network Spicerhaart says shop workers who are unemployed because of the latest round of retail closures should become estate agents. 

Russell Jervis says great retailers make great estate agents and that those worried about the risk of working in the retail sector should consider diversifying.

“The retail sector is being hit hard at the moment with huge numbers of job cuts planned at some of our favourite High Street brands including New Look, House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer and of course Poundworld which went into administration [this week]. 

“It’s estimated that these cuts, along with the closure of chains including Toys R Us and Maplin at the beginning of the year as resulted in 21,000 retail sector jobs being axed in the first three months of the year” he says.

He says whatever the reasons behind the High Street problems, there are thousands of excellent sales people looking for jobs, and the retail sector simply can’t cater for them all.

“It is likely that people who still work in retail will eventually have to consider new opportunities, so my message is why wait?  Why not consider a new career in estate agency now?” he asks.

“Some of our best negotiators have come to the estate agency world from a retail background because there are so many transferable skills. The art of sales is to really listen to your customers so you can get to know them and understand them. Only then can you deliver what they really want and need, and that is true whether you are selling clothes or houses”