Founder and principal consultant of new employment agency Desire Recruitment, Chris Callisto understands that being a hero in the looming economic crisis is about being a 21st century matchmaker for the fashion sector.

Chris Callisto launched Desire Recruitment in February this year with the founding aim of helping rebuild the Australian retail industry coming out of COVID-19.

“South Australia is currently facing a difficult period in retail due to the COVID-19 devastation, but it will definitely bounce back,” Chris tells CityMag via email.

“Some jobs will become obsolete, but this only makes way for new jobs.”

Chris recounts the story in recent times when Adelaide-founded department store Harris Scarfe was forced to shutter its operations and close the Rundle Mall location it had occupied for 170 years. Chris says it was a symbolic hit to the retail sector.

The local crisis was exacerbated when long-standing shopping malls like Westfield Marion and Burnside Village temporarily closed in March to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But these moments also created a clear call to action for Chris, who could see the real need for retail recruitment services, particularly in the fashion sector.

Although some retail businesses have permanently shuttered, and the state’s unemployment level sits at 7.2 per cent, fresh starts for workers and new business ventures are starting to pop up on Desire Recruitment’s radar.

The firm works with job seekers and businesses, predominantly in the fashion sector, to find the best job opportunities for the best retail recruits. Chris says Desire Recruitment sits right in the middle of both the client and the candidate.

Chris Callisto looking the part

“We link Australian retail businesses with outstanding professionals by focusing on speed, quality and diversity,” Chris says.

“I also wholeheartedly believe that success can only be achieved in retail by empowering a team from the ground up.”

Chris has personally amassed over a decade of retail experience.

He was originally fixated on menswear, which eventually grew to being employed in retail’s executive and administrative space, representing global luxury mega-brands.

Through his career Chris has observed some of the “great successes and failures of hiring” and wants to give back to an industry that offered him “so much”, while “inspiring other future professionals down the same path.”

“I’ve dealt with numerous recruiters, which were generally uneasy and disingenuous encounters,” Chris says.

“I have also spoken to a large number of people in the industry who share my sentiments, so it was very important to combat this with Desire Recruitment.”

Despite his company operating on a national level, Chris says he’s keeping his retail recruitment company small and selective so it can dedicate more time and care for candidates and clients alike. This will lead to a better result for both parties, Chris says.

“Boutique operations are the backbone of our philosophy,” he says.

“And a large number of Australian businesses do not have the time or resources to implement an effective talent acquisition strategy.

“We’re working right alongside retail businesses and job seekers during this rebuilding phase to ensure we can unite client needs and candidate desires.”

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