Travel Retail Recruitment

Travel Retail Candidates (job description)

Looking at travel retail jobs? We are looking for motivated, passionate outgoing people with stand-out qualities. You will need to be sociable and outgoing, as you will need to stop traffic and engage with members of the public. You must be flexible and willing to work during opening hours which are between 4am and 10pm, including weekends and bank holidays.

You are great at selling, have excellent customer service skills and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure people have a good experience.

While personality is more vital than experience, you must be able to do the job well. If you are working with cosmetics, for example, you could be asked to do makeovers and demonstrations so you must know what you’re doing. You don’t have to have qualifications, just a passion for makeup and beauty, combined with the skills to make someone look great.

Working in travel retail suits performers, freelancers, makeup artists, students, return-to-work mums – anyone who’s looking for flexible work that suits their personality and works around their lifestyle.

If you can hold a conversation in Arabic, Mandarin or Russian, so much the better!

We have our own travel retail supervisors based at the major airports. They are responsible for setting the rotas, and will always be available to talk to or sort out any issues.

Travel retail clients

There are two reasons why we will make a difference. The first is that we really do care about our clients as well as our candidates. We will only put candidates forward who we truly believe will do a great job. We also look after our candidates, taking on the supervision and HR roles so our clients don’t have to. Our on-site supervisors will be available if you need them and, if the need arises, will be able to resolve any issues quickly and effectively.

Our second difference is that we’re fun! We’re passionate about what we do, which gives us the energy and motivation to enjoy our work.

It’s probably not surprising that we have so many loyal clients, and many of our candidates have been with us for a long time. Indeed, temporary candidates are often offered promotions and permanent roles with many of our clients.

Experiential & promotions

Whether you are doing a makeover, acting as a promotional demonstrator, or handing out promotional items or vouchers, you will act as an ambassador for the brand you are working for. You will receive training and information about the products and brands, but are also expected to do your own research, so you can confidently talk to people about the products you are promoting.

Your role will involve stopping traffic and engaging with members of the public, so you must be proactive, outgoing and friendly.

Retail

You will be working in retail outlets selling fragrances, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, skincare and souvenirs. You will also be acting as a host, directing people around the terminals, letting them know where the gates are etc.

It’s important for your role that you are prepared to sell alcohol and tobacco to customers. Even if you are promoting makeup or fragrance brands, as part of your retail role you will also be handling any of the other goods on sale. We will train you in stock management to ensure you’re fully equipped to do so.

Skincare, makeup and fragrance

You will receive a briefing about the specific brands and products you will be promoting and selling, but you must have a general knowledge of skincare to be able to talk knowledgeably and answer questions – either through a personal interest, previous experience or training courses.

If you are working on cosmetic counters, the ability and willingness to provide advice about applying makeup is essential for these roles. You will be asked to do makeovers and occasional demonstrations so you must be comfortable talking to people as you are doing it, and being watched as you work!

Customer Services

Great customer service skills are essential. Your role is to ensure customers and passengers have a great retail and airport experience, so you will always be willing to go the extra mile to make it happen. You may be asked to show people to a particular section or shop, or direct them to gates, toilets, cafés etc. The duty free area at airports can be a bewildering experience – especially first thing in the morning! – so your friendly smile and willingness to help will be appreciated by passengers and employers alike.

What candidates need to know

As you will be selling alcohol and tobacco, you must be over 18.

You will undergo security checks each time you go airside (the same checks you go through when you’re travelling).

Travel retail is high security, and we will therefore require references for the past five years.

Airport Passes

Anyone working at an airport MUST obtain an airside pass. As soon as you sign the online contract we will commence your vetting process, which is compulsory for anyone working at an airport in the UK. There is a one off fee for the vetting process and the plastic airside pass, which Artisan People will pay upfront on your behalf. This means that once you start doing shift there will be a weekly deduction till the pass is paid back in full.

NB – please be mindful that the vetting process could take several months due to Government imposed background checks!

In the meantime, we will endeavour to find you work in non-airside retail stores in the meantime but cannot guarantee it. To obtain your Pass, we will need to obtain references for the past five years, proof of a valid passport, proof of National Insurance, and two pieces of documentation showing proof of address. You will also need to be DBS checked.

You will undergo online security tests as part of your induction.