ATTRACTING GRADUATES TO RETAILING

In the mid‐1980s a group of leading British retail companies jointly identified a mismatch between their graduate recruitment requirements and the motivation of graduate applicants and entrants. Many graduate entrants had a personal goal of being appointed to a head office post and many were reluctant to make a long‐term commitment to retail operations management. The analysis of this problem is outlined by a joint‐company working party which recommended the formation of the Consortium of Retail Teaching Companies. It provides reasons why graduate recruitment is considered to be strategic to the future of the industry and outlines the programme of the Consortium since 1988.