Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship

Summary

Everyone at Lidl brings something different to the table — but we also have a whole lot in common. Our Degree Apprentices are passionate, ambitious, and love a challenge. Just like you.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Your salary will grow with your experience, earning from £26,520 per year as a Customer Assistant, from £30,472 as a Shift manager, from £33,778 as a Deputy Store Manager, and from £37,333 as a Store Manager-in-Training.

Training course

Retail leadership (integrated degree) (level 6)

Hours

40 hours per week, full flexibility required across Monday- Sunday Shifts to be confirmed

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

4 years

Positions available

60

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

What you’ll do

Here’s a brief breakdown of your Lidl journey. More detail can be found on our Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship home page at www.lidlcareers.co.uk/early-careers/degree-apprenticeship

Year 1: You’ll hit the ground running, starting with Customer Assistant training, before joining the store leadership team as a Shift Manager.

Alongside your role you’ll complete university modules in Retail Business Environment, Retail Culture & Mindset, and Digital Retail.

Year 2: You’ll build on your leadership experience as you develop your responsibilities from Shift Manager to Deputy Store Manager level.

Alongside your role, you’ll complete modules in Retail Operations, Retail Marketing Strategy, and Retail Insights & Customer Information.

Year 3: Continuing your Deputy Store Manager role, you’ll build on your experience and skill set to take even more of an active role in your store’s success.

Alongside your role, you’ll complete modules in Managing Retail Finance & Value, Responsible & Sustainable Management, and Retail Leadership & transformation.

Year 4: Here’s where you take on your official title of Store Manager-in-Training.

Alongside your role, you’ll complete a module in Building Retail Strategy, and preparing for your End Point Assessment.

Once you’ve successfully completed year four, you’ll be awarded with your Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship, with BSc (hons) qualification. Having proven yourself in your store, you’ll also be fully equipped to lead a store team of your own.

Where you’ll work

Available across many locations in England

Training

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

College or training organisation

KINGSTON UNIVERSITY

Your training course

Retail leadership (integrated degree) (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents

Retail Landscape - current and future: Construct the key plans for the business, and demonstrate creatively, clarity of thinking and decision making in delivering them both in-store and online.
Retail Landscape - current and future: Analyse and evaluate key economic and political trends, and how they impact upon the retail landscape, including technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Retail Landscape - current and future: Consider the impact of different business models and propositions, including the move to on-line retailing
Retail product life cycle: Construct customer profiles to ensure buying and merchandising impact is maximised, including the impact of on-line retailing
Retail product life cycle: Implement the link between product quality and customer satisfaction.
Retail product life cycle: Influence the design of an appropriate store / website layout based on current and customer buying patterns
Retail innovation and the digital challenge: Critically evaluate the most effective methods of digital delivery, and how they will impact on the product range.
Retail innovation and the digital challenge: Evaluate the impact digital channels play and identify the likely impact of changes in digital / AI behaviour by customers.
Retail innovation and the digital challenge: Critically evaluate the impact of new technology on the customer journey and experience
Retail Marketing and the customer: Create an environment in which the brand and brand values underpin both colleague and customer understanding (internal and external).
Retail Marketing and the customer: Consistently apply the retail brand ethos and values.
Retail Marketing and the customer: Using critical research, construct a customer engagement / pricing strategy
Retail Marketing and the customer: By using data, analyse and predict the customer’s current and future needs and purchasing trends, including how the customer journey is impacted
Retail Supply Chain: Appraise the effectiveness of the overall supply strategy and approach of the business, which is ethical, sustainable and profitable.
Retail Supply Chain: Anticipate future requirements for new products.
Retail Supply Chain: Critically review the role of logistics, warehousing and transport operation within the retail business.
Retail Finance, Data and Management Information (MI): Review performance of against key financial and performance data and ratios.
Retail Finance, Data and Management Information (MI): Use consumer trend data, and sales MI to predict the reaction of customers, and respond accordingly.
Retail Finance, Data and Management Information (MI): Articulate the key business decisions (eg pricing strategy), and how they link with overall performance.
Impact of change in Retail on our people: Recognise the impact that the changing nature of retail has on people strategies, eg recruitment, L&D, employee engagement and talent management.
Impact of change in Retail on our people: Allocate appropriate levels of resource to different methods of operation.
Impact of change in Retail on our people: Build teams, and empower and manage others to improve business performance.
Impact of change in Retail on our people: Utilise emotional and social intelligence to build and develop relationships both internally and externally.
Impact of change in Retail on our people: Demonstrate effective problem solving and time management skills, and an expert written and verbal communication style

Your training plan

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

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Team working
Initiative
Time management
Determination

About this company

We're famous for being ‘Big on Quality, Lidl On Price’ - but that’s only part of our story. Although offering the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices has helped us become the success we are today, it's our people that really bring Lidl to life. From football fans and chocoholics to single parents and students, we're a diverse bunch of people from all walks of life, with thousands of different stories to tell! Our individuality makes every team unique, but when you scratch below the surface, we’ve also got a lot in common. We’re plate spinners and problem-solvers, keeping homes stocked up across the UK. And when we work together, we see each other do great things. That’s what it means to be Lidl like us. Find your place with us, and you'll become part of a team whose energy, passion and hard work will push you to bring your best self to work, every day.

https://careers.lidl.co.uk/early-careers/degree-apprenticeship (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

What you’ll receive Competitive pay that increases as you progress A permanent contract 30-35 days holiday 10% in-store discount Discounted gym memberships Plus, more of the perks you deserve

After this apprenticeship

Store Manager is the expected end role of this apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

KINGSTON UNIVERSITY

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000315494.

Apply now

Closes in 9 days (Monday 28 April 2025)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

To search and apply (with a CV and cover letter), use the link.

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