Qualifications improve your chances; they do not gate the job. Level 3 is the most recognised.
Level 3 most recognisedOpen entry
Your route in
You can start without qualifications - direct entry/volunteering; a qualification improves your chances
1
Qualifications employers recognise (Level 3)
Any of these strengthens your application.
Retail reading: start as sales assistant with no quals and work up - Retail Team Leader L3, then Retail Manager L4, Retail Leadership L6. Bar differs if TV/broadcast, casino/gaming or factory floor manager.