Accessories Graduate

About the Accessories Graduate Opportunity

Core Group is inviting recent graduates to apply for its one-year Accessories Graduate opportunity in Sandton, Gauteng. Candidates with commerce, marketing, supply chain or retail qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Core Group is offering an Accessories Graduate opportunity for recent graduates who are passionate about technology, consumer products and retail. Based at the company’s head office in Sandton, Gauteng, the position provides a one-year contract designed to give a graduate practical experience within the Accessories Buying team.

The opportunity is suited to candidates who want to build careers in buying, merchandising, product management, marketing or retail operations. Successful candidates will gain exposure to the commercial processes involved in selecting products, analysing sales performance, working with suppliers and helping bring technology accessories to market.

The vacancy was published on 23 October 2026. Applicants should consult the official recruitment advertisement to confirm the current application status and any additional application instructions.

About the Accessories Graduate Opportunity

The Accessories Graduate will join Core Group’s Accessories business unit within the iStore Head Office division. The role falls under the marketing functional area and is classified as an internship-level opportunity, with a contract duration of 12 months.

The graduate will work on-site in Sandton alongside experienced buyers and collaborate with teams responsible for marketing, planning and logistics. This provides an opportunity to understand how buying decisions influence product availability, customer experience and commercial performance in technology retail.

Rather than focusing exclusively on observation, the programme is intended to involve the graduate in practical activities that support the buying function. It may therefore appeal to candidates who enjoy working with data, identifying product trends, researching competitors and contributing ideas in a fast-paced retail environment.

Key Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will support the Accessories Buying team with various product and commercial activities.

• Product Research and Trend Analysis

• The graduate will help identify new accessories, emerging technology trends and products that may appeal to customers. This includes monitoring competitor activity and observing changes in customer preferences to help the team make informed product decisions.

• Candidates with a genuine interest in gadgets, technology accessories and consumer behaviour may find this aspect of the role particularly engaging.

• Sales and Stock Analysis

• The role involves analysing sales performance and stock levels to support buying decisions. The graduate will help prepare reports and use data to identify trends, assess product performance and provide useful insights to the team.

• Strong Excel skills will be valuable when working with spreadsheets, sales information and product data.

• Supplier and Product Administration

• The graduate will assist in maintaining accurate product information, pricing details and supplier records. Other responsibilities include supporting purchase orders and communicating with suppliers as required.

• Attention to detail will be important because accurate information helps the buying team coordinate purchasing activities and maintain reliable product records.

• Product Launches and Team Collaboration

• The position also involves working with Marketing, Planning and Logistics to support the launch of new products. The graduate may contribute to product reviews, prepare presentations and share ideas that help the team improve its processes.

• Through these responsibilities, the successful candidate can develop an understanding of the relationships between product selection, purchasing, marketing and distribution.

• Minimum Requirements

• Core Group is looking for candidates who have completed a relevant qualification and graduated within the last three years.

Applicants should hold a completed degree in the following fields:

• BCom in Supply Chain Management.

• BCom in Marketing.

• BCom in Business Management.

• BCom in Retail Management.

• BCom in Finance.

• Business Administration.

• Retail Business Management.

• Consumer Science specialising in Retail or Fashion.

• A related commerce qualification.

• In addition to the academic requirements, candidates should demonstrate a genuine interest in technology, gadgets, accessories and retail. The company is also looking for applicants with a positive attitude, high energy levels, a willingness to learn and the ability to work effectively with others.

• Strong attention to detail and an interest in sales trends and customer behaviour will be beneficial. Good Excel skills are also important, particularly familiarity with Pivot Tables, lookup functions and data analysis.

• Candidates who are proactive, comfortable asking questions and willing to contribute ideas may be well suited to the opportunity.

• Skills and Personal Attributes

• The ideal candidate will combine analytical ability with curiosity about products and customer preferences. The role requires someone who can work with information while also thinking creatively about trends and commercial opportunities.

• Applicants may strengthen their applications by highlighting relevant academic projects, research assignments, Excel experience, teamwork, presentations or other activities that demonstrate analytical thinking and initiative.

• Previous professional buying experience is not stated as a requirement, making the opportunity relevant to recent graduates seeking to gain practical exposure to the retail and technology industries.

• Benefits of Joining Core Group

• The programme offers graduates the opportunity to learn directly from experienced buyers and gain practical exposure to retail buying and product management.

• During the one-year contract, the graduate can develop skills in sales analysis, supplier relationships, product research, commercial decision-making and cross-functional collaboration. This experience may help establish a foundation for future opportunities in buying, merchandising, retail strategy or related business functions.

• The programme also offers exposure to technology retail, allowing the graduate to understand how product trends and customer demand influence purchasing decisions.

• Background Checks

• Core Group states that successful applicants will undergo background checks as part of the recruitment process. These may include criminal record checks, credit checks, identity verification, Matric certificate verification and reference checks with two previous managers or supervisors.

• Applicants should ensure that the information supplied in their applications is accurate and that they can provide the relevant supporting information when requested.