Retail sector to spur recruitment in 2015

Retail is expected to grow over 33% this year, which, in turn, will generate jobs – in fields such as customer service, merchandise, sales and marketing, among others – as retailers open new outlets across the UAE, indicates UAE-based consulting company Ventures Middle East.

According to December data by the Monster Employment Index, recruitment activity in the UAE has bounced back, with non-oil sector leading the way. Meanwhile, the UAE Economic Outlook Forum had earlier indicated that the UAE will see over 277,000 new jobs in the years leading up to Expo 2020, with many jobs expected to come online in 2015.

Retail is likely to see double-digit growth in recruitment, believes Annalinde Nickisch, human resources consultant at Dubai-based consultancy The Thought Factory. According to her, the economic impact of Expo 2020 is tremendous, boosting the scale of recruitment in retail business.

With the Expo expected to bring more people to visit and live in the UAE, there will be increased consumption. Thus, retailers are likely to expand, with many developers having already announced new shopping space, which will create new jobs. “Expo 2020 would be able to bring more people from around the globe and that means more talent as it will also strengthen the quality of manpower resources. Having said that, the impact will be felt as and when we are moving closer to 2020,” she adds.