Becoming a Retail Store Manager

A retail store manager is responsible for managing the daily operations of the department stores. Their main job is to ensure that everything in the store is happening smoothly, and they also think of new ways to improve the performance of the store. They take steps to increase the turnover and profit of the store. The Manager has to look into overall profitability of the store and coordinate with various departments like Human Resource, Customer Care, Marketing, Logistics, Finance and overall Administration.

Work and Activities

• Retail Managers are responsible for a number of activities, although some of it may vary depending upon the kind of store he works in.
• The manager is responsible for managing the store and the employees in the store and motivates them to perform better for the profitability of the store.
• He/she analyzes sale figures which help him / her forecast the future sales of the store. He/she regulates stock.
• The employees are answerable to them, and they responsible for taking care of them and their grievances.
• They interview and shortlist potential candidates for appropriate job positions for the benefit of the store.
• They appropriately respond to customers’ suggestion and complaints.
• They also look into reviewing the performance of all the employees, their promotion, and appraisal and also firing.
• They are responsible for conducting training programs for employees to increase their efficiency and performance.
• They should also conduct various promotional events by including the local newspaper to get the required media hype and also involve schools and ladies clubs at those events.
• They should take rounds of the store and interact with the colleagues and customers by which he can resolve urgent issues.
• They should constantly implement changes according to the requirement of the market and for the benefit of the store, for instance can convert it into a 24 hours functioning store if the market demands it for the profitability and growth of the store.
• They are indirectly responsible for the visual display of the store and all promotional advertisements have to have consent of the manager.

Required Qualification and Skills



To apply for the post of a retail manager the individual should be minimum graduate for acquiring jobs at smaller stores, but for big chains such as Wal-Mart, etc. one needs to have a management degree preferably in Retail Management. The applicant should have computer proficiency and excellent communicative skills. He/ She should have the ability to manage a team and should be organized.

Career and Employment

According to a census the employment opportunities for a Retail Manager are expected to grow up to 3% to 6% from the year 2002 to 20012. Candidates who have a retail experience are more sought after. The candidates can begin their career as a retail sales associate and learn the intricacies of managing a retail store. He can gradually rise up the success ladder to become an Associate Manager to a Retail Store manager.