Hermès Retail Sales Apprentice (AFC)
- Location
- LuganoTicinoSwitzerland
- Employment
- Internship
- Seniority
- Intern
- Department
- Retail & Boutique Operations
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- May 6, 2026
About Hermès
Hermès is an independent, family-owned French luxury maison celebrated for exceptional artisanal savoir‑faire across leather goods, silk, ready-to-wear and accessories. The brand operates a global network of boutiques, including a presence in Switzerland, and is recognised for prioritising craftsmanship, responsible management and long-term development of its people.
Hermès — Lugano: Retail Sales Apprentice (AFC). 36‑month apprenticeship starting Sept 2026 in boutique sales, client advisory and store operations.
Role & Responsibilities
- Undertake a structured three-year AFC (Swiss Federal Certificate of Proficiency) apprenticeship in boutique retail, combining practical in-store training with vocational studies.
- Learn and perform client advisory and sales duties for a discerning local and international clientele, delivering personalised shopping experiences.
- Participate in daily boutique operations including merchandising, stock handling, visual presentation and back‑of‑house processes.
- Collaborate with the store team to achieve sales targets and maintain the maison’s standards of quality and presentation.
- Develop product knowledge with emphasis on prêt‑à‑porter, textiles and silk; apply meticulous attention to detail in all tasks.
Qualifications
- Eligible and committed to a 36‑month apprenticeship starting 1 September 2026; able to complete the AFC retail specialist programme.
- Strong interest in prêt‑à‑porter, textiles and silk and a genuine motivation for retail and client consultancy.
- Demonstrable team spirit, result orientation, high standards of personal quality and an eye for detail.
- Good communication skills in German and English.
- Application must include a single scanned PDF containing: CV, authentic cover letter, Multicheck or EVA test result, and the last three school report cards.
Skills
Experience
No prior professional experience required; role is designed for school leavers or candidates beginning a vocational retail career through an AFC apprenticeship.
Education
Eligible for vocational apprenticeship (AFC) in retail; candidate should provide last three school reports as part of the application.
Workplace
This position is based in Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland.
Culture
Hermès cultivates a workplace rooted in artisanal excellence, mutual respect and long‑term talent development. The maison values curiosity, collective spirit and responsible leadership that empowers individuals while preserving high standards of craftsmanship.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Hermès, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Retail Sales Trainee», «Client Advisor Apprentice», «Boutique Sales Apprentice», «Retail Associate Apprentice», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.