Employer: Pepkor Lifestyle (Retail Division)
Sponsor / Funder: Wholesale & Retail SETA (W&R SETA)
Industry: Retail Operations, E-Commerce, Marketing, HR & IT Project Management
Location: Head Office, Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng (On-Site)
Position Type: 12-Month Fixed-Term Graduate Internship Programme
Target Candidates: Unemployed South African Graduates (Degree or Diploma) under 32 Years Old
Compensation: W&RSETA Funded Monthly Graduate Stipend
Posted Date: 19 October 2026
About Pepkor Lifestyle & The Graduate Programme
Pepkor Lifestyle is a major retail division within Pepkor, one of South Africa’s largest and most respected retail conglomerates.
In partnership with the Wholesale & Retail SETA (W&R SETA), Pepkor Lifestyle is inviting applications for its 12-Month Graduate Internship Programme based at their Head Office in Sandton, Johannesburg. Designed to bridge academic theory and real-world retail operations, this structured workplace training program provides hands-on rotation across head office divisions and store environments, offering direct mentorship from industry leaders. Candidates living with disabilities are actively encouraged to apply.
Eligible Academic Streams & Functional Areas
The programme accepts graduates holding a completed National Diploma or Degree in any of the following six functional streams:
- Marketing Management: Retail brand management, promotional campaigns, and trade marketing.
- Business Management / Business Administration: Retail operations, administrative workflows, and business strategy.
- Human Resource Management / Industrial Psychology: People processes, talent acquisition, employee relations, and HR admin.
- Digital / Marketing / E-Commerce: Online store operations, digital media, customer journey mapping, and online retail sales.
- IT Project Administration / Project Management: Systems deployment, project tracking, documentation, and operational IT support.
- IT Information Systems / Business Information Technology: Business analytics, systems analysis, and enterprise software support.
Key Responsibilities & Internship Workflows
During the 12-month tenure, Graduate Interns will execute six core operational deliverables:
- Induction & Functional Onboarding: Complete all corporate onboarding and functional cross-departmental orientation modules.
- Supervised Operations: Execute daily operational tasks under the guidance and mentorship of senior retail executives.
- Trend Research & Innovation: Conduct research and document industry trends, new retail technologies, and operational best practices for implementation.
- Store Visits & Practical Immersion: Visit various retail store locations to gain first-hand experience in store-level customer service and stock operations.
- Evaluated Presentations: Prepare and deliver professional business presentations evaluated by management teams.
- Business Support: Assist teams in executing ad-hoc projects to achieve broader retail business targets.
Candidate Profile & Minimum Entry Requirements
To qualify for consideration under W&RSETA funding rules, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria:
- Educational Qualifications:
- Completed National Diploma or Degree from an accredited South African tertiary institution in one of the approved fields (Mandatory).
- Citizenship & Age Limit:
- Must be a South African Citizen possessing a valid SA ID Document (Mandatory).
- Must be under 32 years of age at the time of application (Mandatory).
- Employment Status:
- Must be currently Unemployed (Mandatory).
- Key Skills & Competencies:
- Resilience, adaptability, and ability to take initiative in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Strong analytical skills to evaluate information and make sound judgments.
- High ethical standards, strong presentation, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Customer-service orientation and ability to build positive working relationships.
Mandatory Application Document Package
Candidates must submit a complete document package to receive priority consideration:
- Updated Comprehensive CV
- Certified Copy of SA ID Document (Certification must be less than 3 months old)
- Certified Copies of Tertiary Qualifications / Degree Certificate (Certification less than 3 months old)
- Certified Copy of Official Academic Record / Tertiary Transcript (Certification less than 3 months old)
⚠️ Important Note: Applicants who successfully submit all four certified documents up front will receive first consideration for screening.
Sample Selection & Retail Interview Questions
Retail Operations & E-Commerce Trends
- Question (Retail Innovation): “What is one emerging technology or digital trend currently transforming South African retail, and how could Pepkor Lifestyle leverage it?”
- Question (Adaptability & Conflict): “How do you handle a situation where store operational priorities suddenly change while you are executing a head office project deadline?”
How to Apply
Apply online directly via the official Pepkor Lifestyle / Pepkor Careers Portal:
- Employer: Pepkor Lifestyle (Retail Division)
- Funder: W&R SETA
- Location: Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Duration: 12-Month Contract
- Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 (