Do you want real work experience in retail this year? Ares Holdings is offering two paid internships in Cape Town, and the applications close in just a few weeks.
What the internships are
Ares Holdings has two entry‑level programmes for 2026:
- Buyer Internship – focus on data analysis, stock planning and merchandising.
- Trade Marketing Internship – focus on marketing campaigns, in‑store promotions and brand activation.
Both roles are based in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
Who can apply
Buyer Internship – closing 14 August 2026
- Completed a relevant tertiary qualification (e.g., commerce, economics, supply‑chain, analytics).
- 1–2 years of experience in a similar role or a strong internship background.
- Good numeracy and ability to work with large data sets.
- Strong organisation, attention to detail and problem‑solving skills.
- Understanding of supply‑chain and merchandising processes.
- Valid driver’s licence, own transport and willingness to travel locally.
Trade Marketing Internship – closing 18 August 2026
- Graduate status (any field). The advert does not require a specific degree.
- Interest in retail marketing, campaigns and visual merchandising.
- Good communication, teamwork and time‑management skills.
- Willingness to learn about brand activation, POS materials and event support.
What you will learn
Buyer Internship
- How to track consumer trends and sales performance.
- Techniques for inventory control, open‑to‑buy planning and stock‑turn improvement.
- Preparing shipping schedules, sales reports and inventory dashboards.
- Working with merchandising, buying and supply‑chain teams.
Trade Marketing Internship
- Developing and executing retail and wholesale marketing plans.
- Co‑ordinating point‑of‑sale (POS) material production and distribution.
- Supporting visual‑merchandising standards and store training.
- Collecting campaign data, analysing results and preparing presentations.
- Assisting with event logistics, budgeting and invoice tracking.
How to apply – step by step
Buyer Internship
- Prepare an up‑to‑date CV and a brief cover letter that highlights your analytical and merchandising experience.
- Gather your driver’s licence details and proof of transport (if requested).
- Go to the official application page: Apply for the Buyer Internship.
- Fill in the online form, attach your documents and submit before 14 August 2026.
Trade Marketing Internship
- Update your CV to showcase any marketing, communications or retail projects.
- Write a short cover letter that explains why you want to work in trade marketing.
- Visit the official application page: Apply for the Trade Marketing Internship.
- Complete the online submission before 18 August 2026.
Tips to improve your chances
- Tailor each cover letter to the specific internship – mention relevant coursework or projects.
- Proof‑read your CV for spelling and formatting errors.
- Highlight any experience with data tools (Excel, PowerBI) for the Buyer role.
- Show examples of teamwork, creativity or event support for the Trade Marketing role.
- Make sure your driver’s licence and transport details are clear if you apply for the Buyer position.
- Submit before the deadline – late applications are not considered.
Next steps
Take a few hours now to update your CV and write a focused cover letter. Then click the appropriate link above and submit your application before the closing date. Even if the competition is strong, a well‑prepared application gives you the best chance of securing a valuable start to your retail career.
