Acting Retail Correspondent London

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The role

We are looking for a retail correspondent, to cover a period of parental leave. This is a core corporate sector for the FT, packed with colourful characters, well-known companies and big global themes. UK supermarkets are competing in a crowded industry where private equity backed chains Asda and Morrisons are striving to recover lost ground. With consumer spending power under pressure, supermarkets are selling more and more customer data to advertisers in an effort to build new sources of profit. Meanwhile, the adoption of AI presents new opportunities and challenges to retailers, and disruptions to global supply chains are forcing them to rethink where they source their products.

The successful candidate will bring this mix to life with scoops on M&A, restructurings, job moves and the relationships between companies that are prone to both feuds and collusion. We are also in the market for tales of success, spotting the next multi-billion pound fast fashion brand, for example. As household names, the sector’s companies punch above their market caps in terms of reader interest. This is a sector where UK-listed names from Ocado to Burberry are international in their outlook. The successful candidate should look for opportunities to contribute to coverage globally, and to piece together analysis pieces that sum up the state of the sector on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond. This will involve close collaboration with colleagues who cover retail and technology, given the competition and UK interest in companies like Shein and the impact that tech groups like Amazon have had on the sector.

Is this the role for you?

The correspondent must be confident about setting their own agenda, making decisions about which companies to prioritise. Using a financial lens to identify stories is important, but this is not necessarily a role that demands years of corporate reporting experience. More important is a demonstrable ability to build sources and sniff out scoops.

The use of AI

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations. We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role. Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

What’s in it for you?

Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

We’ve embraced a hybrid working model (three days per week onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.