As artificial intelligence (AI) continues reshaping the retail workforce, entry‑level jobs are evolving — and not always in ways that benefit new job seekers.
According to Forbes contributor Richard Kestenbaum, AI’s early impact shows that roles exposed to intelligent systems tend to grow faster and earn higher wages, but this shift also raises hiring standards and the need for AI‑related skills even at junior levels.
AI tools are enhancing efficiency in retail operations — handling tasks like inventory optimization, automated service tools, and digital customer support — which improves business performance but reduces the number of traditional “starter” roles where young workers historically gained foundational experience.
Research from broader labor market studies supports this trend: routine tasks that once provided on‑the‑job training are increasingly automated, forcing entry‑level positions to require experience or digital fluency that earlier generations didn’t need.
This shift has mixed implications.
On one hand, automation can free retail workers from repetitive tasks and elevate roles toward higher‑value customer interactions. On the other hand, employers are seeking candidates who can work with AI — meaning skills like data literacy, digital communication, and basic AI tool handling are becoming essential even for junior retail roles.
Industry responses include expanding training programs, certification pathways, and immersive hiring tools that simulate real job tasks — strategies designed to equip early‑career workers with the competencies needed in an AI‑augmented environment.
Without such upskilling efforts, entry‑level workers may find the labor market more competitive than ever as retail transitions toward AI‑integrated roles with higher expectations and blurred lines between traditional job tiers.
