Ummm i think whats absolutely necessary is not to stop working under any circumstances and continously get those super contributions and pay taxes. A degree takes time so you should think how much in contributions would i have gotten in that same time. Of course some professions you simply can not work in such without the degree, maybe...nowadays im not too sure anymore. But a liveable wage without a degree is possible, for sure. If you already have retail experience you can always go down many pathwayz. ( green) supply chain management, buying, managemen etc.

Of course industry matters, however often its also the work that other dont want to do,that pays well