Retail Apprenticeship

DOUG HILLARD SPORTS LTD

BRISTOL (BS16 3BQ)

Closes on Wednesday 30 September 2026

Posted on 13 July 2026

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Summary

Join our family-run sports retail business as an apprentice. No experience is needed as full training will be provided.

You'll gain hands-on experience serving customers, selling sports clothing and equipment, processing embroidery and printing orders, and supporting stock control and merchandising.

Wage

£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Retailer (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturdays 9am to 1pm.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 12 October 2026

Duration

1 year 2 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Learn and support all areas of our family-run sports retail business.
  • Assist customers with sports clothing, footwear and equipment.
  • Process embroidery and garment printing orders.
  • Develop skills in stock control, merchandising and general store operations.
  • Attend industry trade shows to build product knowledge and learn about new products.
  • Receive full training and gain valuable hands-on experience throughout your apprenticeship.

Where you'll work

647 FISHPONDS ROAD
FISHPONDS
BRISTOL
BS16 3BQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

THE OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER LTD

Training course

Retailer (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Communicate with customers to meet their requirements and encourage customer loyalty and repeat business.
  • Serve customers in line with brand standards, legislation, business procedures and the values of the business.
  • Provide a retail service that balances the customers’ needs with additional linked products and services.
  • Use face to face or online sales techniques such as product and price comparisons to support or influence the customer in their purchasing decisions.
  • Promote seasonal or local offers through in-store or online promotions.
  • Identify situations that may damage business reputation in line with company policy and escalate as required.
  • Maintain good merchandising to meet the needs of the business whilst ensuring safety.
  • Maintain stock levels and storage conditions such as correct temperature, lighting, ventilation, packaging to meet customer demand and minimise stock loss.
  • Use technology and applications to support sales and service ensuring that maintenance issues are reported.
  • Support team and colleague development through buddying and/or coaching.
  • Comply with regulations and legislation relevant to their role and business.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement activities which focus on improving sustainability within the business.
  • Handle complaints within remit or escalate as appropriate.
  • Support sales across a range of promotional events throughout the calendar year.
  • Communicate with customers to meet their requirements and encourage customer loyalty and repeat business.
  • Serve customers in line with brand standards, legislation, business procedures and the values of the business.
  • Provide a retail service that balances the customers’ needs with additional linked products and services.
  • Use face to face or online sales techniques such as product and price comparisons to support or influence the customer in their purchasing decisions.
  • Promote seasonal or local offers through in-store or online promotions.
  • Identify situations that may damage business reputation in line with company policy and escalate as required.
  • Maintain good merchandising to meet the needs of the business whilst ensuring safety.
  • Maintain stock levels and storage conditions such as correct temperature, lighting, ventilation, packaging to meet customer demand and minimise stock loss.
  • Use technology and applications to support sales and service ensuring that maintenance issues are reported.
  • Support team and colleague development through buddying and/or coaching.
  • Comply with regulations and legislation relevant to their role and business.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement activities which focus on improving sustainability within the business.
  • Handle complaints within remit or escalate as appropriate.
  • Support sales across a range of promotional events throughout the calendar year.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Mathematics (grade 4/C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

About this employer

Doug Hillard Sports has been trading for nearly 60 years and have built a reputation through good product and service. We are well thought of in the community and we sell a range of sports products and offer a Print and Embroidery service. As a traditional sports shop we offer, restringing tennis racquets, snooker cues re-tipping, cricket bat repairs and much more.

https://www.doughillardsports.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Discounts on Sporting goods.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a permanent role within the business. As you develop your skills and experience, you will have the opportunity to take on increased responsibility across all areas of the company, including retail sales, customer service, stock management, merchandising, embroidery and garment printing. We are committed to supporting long-term career development for apprentices who demonstrate enthusiasm, reliability and a willingness to learn.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042148.

Apply now

Closes on Wednesday 30 September 2026