One of the reasons why retail is becoming a more attractive proposition is the growth of the sector overall - over the last 10 years Irish retail has experienced consistent growth, and this trend looks set to continue with an estimated 1.5 billion SSIA spend due next year. And this growth has been matched by the unprecedented growth of shopping centres in Ireland (think Dundrum, think Whitewater), and the influx of foreign retail brands in to Ireland.

"Over the last 18 months the emergence of new brands into Ireland has hit unprecedented levels and this trend looks set to continue towards the future, " said Barry Whelan, managing director of Excel Recruitment, which recruits exclusively for all levels of retail employment, from management through to buying offices. "No longer does the Irish consumer have to venture to London, New York or Paris to get their retail fix with the wide range of international brands opening in Ireland."

But growth is not only on the high street, and there has also been unprecedented growth of town centres, led by DIY retailers. For example, Homebase had five stores in Ireland in 2003, but it has 11 stores today, while Woodies had 14 stores in 2003, and has 24 today, nearly doubling its retail square footage in three years.

Grocery is another area which, although not necessarily the most glamorous of retail sectors, nevertheless has significant opportunities from an employment perspective.

"A career in the grocery sector can be very rewarding, and should not be overlooked by those seeking a career in the retail sector, " said Cathleen Belton, director of Retail News, the longest established grocery retail trade magazine, which is celebrating 50 years this year. "All the major multiples and symbol groups run regular training courses for employees, helping to improve their skill set. Many people who start out as parttime shop assistants in the grocery sector end up in management positions or else owning and operating their own symbol group/convenience store."

The increased competition in the retail sector for sales is directly reflected by increased competition for staff and management. International retailers are bringing new ideas and techniques in management to the Irish market, which in turn ensures that the Irish retailers have raised their game considerable to attract the right people. So how, for example, does the grocery sector make itself more attractive to candidates?

"I don't think enough is done in schools to promote retailing as a career optionf it is seen as a stop gap while in college or between other career jobs, " said Belton.

"Staff should be encouraged and praised so they feel appreciated for a job well done, and owners and managers should ensure that their staff avail of all the very good retail training options that RGDATA, CSNA, The Wine Development Board, FAS, DIT and the groups themselves offer. Because investing in your staff is a must do."

Of course, much of the attraction for the sector now comes in the form of remuneration . . . although the sector and the type of store will have a direct bearing on the sorts of compensation a person will get. For example, according to an Excel Recruitment salary survey, a trainee manager in the volume grocery sector can start at a between 26k and 28k, while an assistant manager will be making between 35k and 60k. But in large stores, where the turnover is between 500,000 and 1m, a store manager can be earning between 75k and 112k. In the nonindigenous multiple sector, trainee managers again start at between 26k and 30k, with store managers earning anywhere between 60k and 100k.

Fashion is obviously an area that a lot of people will want to get into, with store managers in the Department Store sector earning between 60k and 80k (they will earn between 50k and 70k on the high street).

And general managers of a large department store could be earning anywhere between 70k and 90k.

Still, money isn't everything, and there are also significant perks that are creeping into the retail industry. For example, 92% of people with permanent jobs is retail received discounted health insurance, while 70% were involved in a subsidised pension.