Manage a store!!
Retail can be a challenging industry, but if it’s an environment that you thrive in, working your way up to a store manager position can be highly rewarding.
Let’s explore common store manager job responsibilities, what challenges you’ll need to overcome in this job, and where you can find a job in this field.
What is a store manager?
A retail store manager is a person responsible for the day-to-day operations of a store. They can manage an independent establishment or single retailer, or they might be in charge of a department store in a large chain.
Some managers are paid hourly, but others earn a yearly salary.
The main role of a retail store manager is to make sure the store they manage runs smoothly.
Store manager responsibilities
Store managers have several responsibilities to juggle.
These can include:
Coordinating staffing schedules for the store
Training and providing feedback to the staff
Keeping the store aligned with safety policies and procedures
Monitoring inventory and keeping tabs on stock control
Managing administrative tasks to keep the store running smoothly and ensure customer satisfaction
Hiring new staff members
Increasing sales and profitability while managing costs to meet company sales targets
Establishing new pricing strategies and sales promotions
Anticipating customer needs and making appropriate changes
Mentoring potential assistant managers
In addition to these responsibilities, a store manager also needs to manage the store appearance, product placement, and selling procedures to create a positive customer experience.
What are the skills of a retail store manager?
As a store manager, you’ll need leadership skills to manage a team of retail employees. You also need strong communication skills so that you can communicate effectively with your staff and with customers.
Retail store managers also need to be able to solve a multitude of problems, sometimes on the fly, and they need to be highly organized.
Store managers also need to display initiative. Not only do they need to ensure the store runs smoothly, but they also need to find ways to improve the customer experience and increase sales.
Required qualifications to become a store manager
Before you can become a retail store manager, you’ll usually need to have a high school diploma or GED. However, that’s not always the case.
For example, if you’re still in high school and show great initiative and proficiency as a retail store employee, you may work your way up to assistant store manager on a part-time basis.
At this point, if you didn’t complete your high school diploma, you’d still have a chance to get promoted to a full-time position as a manager.
If you don’t yet work for a store and want to start as a retail manager right away, some employers will require a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like business administration. This type of education helps store managers come up with new business strategies to help the store grow.
But not all hiring managers will require this, and you don’t always need a full college degree to become a manager.
Another alternative is the highly sought-after Retail Management Certificate. This is a nationally recognized and accredited college program with eight courses.
Keep in mind, you’ll usually need a few years of experience working in retail, especially if you don’t have a degree or certification.
What are the challenges of a store manager?
Being a store manager in a retail setting isn’t always an easy feat.
Because you’re the manager, you have additional responsibilities compared to the other retail employees. And, you’ll be held accountable for what happens in the store.
You’ll need to learn how to manage time and delegate tasks effectively so that the store is in top shape at all times. To do so, you’ll need to learn to find and eliminate time wasters when necessary.
You’ll also need to make sure customers are taken care of, even when there are other tasks to do.
Depending on the store you work for, you may also be responsible for finding ways to increase sales.
The challenges differ depending on which industry you’re working in. Fashion, general merchandise, and automobile dealer stores don’t have the same type of customers as each other.
Store managers also represent the company when customers are dissatisfied. In this position, you’ll need to learn to deal with customer complaints with tact and diplomacy since your behavior will directly reflect on the store’s brand and reputation.
Finally, you’ll need to deal with the challenge of motivating a team of employees. This could include helping them develop new skills, using team-building exercises, or providing them with specific goals to achieve.
Store manager salary and job outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, first-line supervisors of retail sales workers (store managers) make an average of $22.74 per hour. This works out to an average of $47,300 per year.
The industries with the highest level of employment for retail store managers are:
General merchandise stores
Food and beverage stores
Gasoline stations
Building material and supplies dealers
Clothing stores
Store manager jobs hiring right now
Do you think you have the skills and experience it takes to become a successful store manager?
Check out what store manager jobs are hiring right now by searching on Jobcase. You can even filter for distance and experience level to see jobs that are perfectly suited for your situation.
Keep in mind that there won’t be many entry-level store manager positions since employers usually require experience in a retail setting.
If you want to become a retail store manager, you can start as a store employee and get to know what the reality of retail is like. You’ll also have an opportunity to show initiative and work your way up from within.
Start a lucrative career as a store manager
Becoming a retail store manager can be a highly rewarding career path. Begin by searching for your next store manager job opportunity!
