At a Glance
- Tasks: Share Britain's tea culture with travellers and provide exceptional customer service.
- Company: Whittard of Chelsea, a beloved British brand since 1886.
- Benefits: Up to 50% discount, monthly product allowance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with flexible shifts and travel perks.
- Why this job: Be the ambassador of British tea at one of the UK's busiest airports.
- Qualifications: 3 years retail experience and great communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Since 1886, Whittard of Chelsea has been delighting customers with exceptional tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. At our Gatwick Airport store, we don't just serve drinks — we offer departing travellers their final taste of what makes British tea culture truly special. We're looking for a passionate Sales Advisor to join our team at one of the UK's busiest travel hubs. If you thrive in a dynamic airport environment, love sharing Britain's tea heritage with the world, and are passionate about exceptional service, we'd love to meet you.
This role requires you to have had previous retail experience and meet the below airport requirements to be considered and gain security clearance:
- 5 years employment references - to gain an airport pass you will need to provide 5 years' worth of either employment or education references without any gaps
- Criminal Records Bureau Check - we will complete and cover the associated fees if your application is successful
- Government-approved photographic ID eg passport or UK Driving Licence
Please note the store is open between 03:45am - 9:15pm, shift patterns will vary across our trading hours. The specific days needed for this role are Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
A Day in the Life of a Whittard Sales Advisor:
In our airport location, every interaction is a chance to share a piece of British culture. You'll serve customers from across the globe — some grabbing a last taste of home, others discovering British tea for the first time. From early morning red‑eyes to late evening departures, you'll create memorable moments that travel the world.
You'll be:
- Culturally Connected: Whether it's a homesick Brit seeking comfort in Earl Grey or an international visitor curious about afternoon tea traditions, you'll share Britain's rich tea heritage with authentic passion and knowledge.
- Customer‑Obsessed: From rushed business travellers to excited holidaymakers, you'll quickly connect with every customer, offering tastings, tailored advice, and a standout experience even when gates are calling.
- Sales‑Savvy: You'll confidently guide customers through our range, suggesting perfect travel companions and gifts that capture the essence of British tea culture while increasing basket size.
- Resilient & Responsive: You'll stay focused and adaptable during peak travel times, balancing tills, restocks, and sampling while maintaining the calm, welcoming atmosphere Whittard is known for.
- A True Team Player: You'll work alongside passionate colleagues, keeping communication clear and energy high throughout varied shift patterns from dawn to dusk.
What Makes You a Great Fit?
We're looking for someone confident, customer‑focused, and ready to thrive in the unique energy of airport retail while sharing what makes British tea culture truly special. You’ll need:
- Minimum 3 years retail experience, ideally in high‑volume customer‑facing roles (retail, hospitality, or travel environments)
- Great communication skills and cultural sensitivity for our diverse international customer base
- Comfort working at pace while still providing thoughtful, tailored service to travellers
- Confidence handling cash, stock, and till operations in a busy airport environment
- Flexibility to work early starts, late finishes, and adapt to the rhythm of airport life
- A genuine interest in tea culture and enthusiasm for sharing Britain's heritage with visitors
- Multilingual skills or experience serving international customers are a bonus
Why Join Whittard at Gatwick?
Our airport store is more than retail — it's Britain's tea ambassador to the world. You'll be at the centre of countless travel stories, helping create the perfect final memory of Britain or the ideal introduction to our tea traditions. You’ll also enjoy:
- Up to 50% store discount - discover your new favourites and perfect gifts for loved ones
- Monthly product allowance - a little perk with every pay cheque
- Wellbeing support and family‑friendly policies
- Airport perks including potential travel benefits and unique networking opportunities
- Career development - many of our leaders started as Sales Advisors
- The satisfaction of sharing Britain's tea heritage with travellers from around the globe
Ready to Share the Best of British Tea with the World? If you're passionate about customer service, love the energy of travel retail, and want to introduce visitors to the very best of British tea culture, click Apply Now and join our Gatwick team.
Sales Advisor - Gatwick Airport employer: Whittard of Chelsea
Whittard of Chelsea is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture at Gatwick Airport where you can share Britain's rich tea heritage with a diverse international clientele. With benefits like up to 50% store discount, monthly product allowances, and robust career development opportunities, you'll thrive in a dynamic environment that values your passion for customer service and cultural connection. Join us to create memorable experiences for travellers while enjoying unique airport perks and a supportive team atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Advisor - Gatwick Airport
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Whittard of Chelsea, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Whittard of Chelsea!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Whittard of Chelsea, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Whittard of Chelsea and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Whittard of Chelsea that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whittard of Chelsea
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
