A Malaysian man has challenged the long-standing perception that retail jobs offer limited financial growth, claiming it is possible to earn up to RM10,000 a month in the industry.
Drawing from 14 years of experience across eight major retail brands since finishing secondary school, he shared in a viral Threads post that the sector has provided him with stable earnings despite being frequently underestimated.
“It may look like a job people always look down on. People think there’s no future. But Alhamdulillah, so far it’s been okay,” he wrote.
He later explained that his post was prompted by an encounter with an office worker who allegedly belittled his profession and encouraged him to join her company instead. According to him, she claimed her office job paid RM3,000 per month — a figure he implied was lower than what he currently earns in retail.
The man noted that while entry-level retail positions typically offer a maximum basic salary of around RM2,500 for those without experience, seasoned workers are often able to negotiate higher pay. He stressed that commissions form a significant portion of his monthly income, enabling him to reach higher earnings.
However, he did not shy away from discussing the physical demands of the job. As he grows older, standing for extended hours during shifts has started to affect his legs, highlighting the toll retail work can take over time.
The post attracted mixed reactions online. Many users supported his view, arguing that retail experience can open doors to broader career opportunities.
“Whoever says retail has no future is lying. My retail background helped me secure a job at a multinational company and get paid in US dollars,” one commenter said.
Another user shared that working in retail provided valuable lessons in management cycles and human behaviour, skills that later helped them advance within the corporate sector.
Nonetheless, some netizens cautioned that retail roles may lack long-term security. One commenter described retail as “gig work”, arguing that the industry offers limited transferable skills and workers can be easily replaced, potentially placing long-term career stability at risk.
The discussion has reignited debate over how society values different professions, particularly in an era where income potential does not always align with traditional career prestige.
