Retail Stablility

I just finished reading this weeks blog post of the Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk. She writes that the new coin of the realm is stability in our current economy. That you get stability by either creating it - or selling it.

That got me to thinking about retail stability. Is there such a thing and where would you look for it?

Setting aside that we could discuss the stability of say Target vs Eddie Bauer what I'm really thinking about is just what jobs in retail are stable? If I was growing my career what would I be pointed to?

Store management positions are very stable. Not too many companies are going to be able to open the doors, greet the customer and make a sale without it. No one argues that online has eaten into brick & mortar - but it's not going away anytime soon. So these jobs are golden.

Distribution? Yep - you have to move your inventory from point A to point B. So gaining experience and moving up in a distribution pyramid will keep you stable for a long time.

Buying? Yes - but perhaps not as much since systems allow more to be done with less people and the developmental positions or Asst Buyer, Product Mgr, etc will be challenged to be cut back.

So what's not so stable? Marketing, Human Resources, Training, Operational Support, etc. These groups are there to add depth to the company, resources to improve, critical evaluations of process and in short make the most of a good thing. In this economy it's all about holding on till the bottom is felt and the upswing begins. Until then it's best - and most stable to be developing your career in the meat and potatoes of the business.