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Retail Manager
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Retail managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of a department or store, following company policies and procedures. This includes ensuring that the store reaches sales targets and increases profits. The focus of any retail manager's job is to improve the commercial performance of the company, working towards an increased market share by exploiting opportunities to maximise profitability, increase customer satisfaction and ensure continued business growth.

A major part of the job is managing and motivating staff to increase sales and improve efficiency. The work also includes making sure that supplies are re-ordered in time and that stock is of the right quality.

Managers are responsible for attracting and keeping customers, so they must make sure that their staff maintain a high level of customer service. They may have to deal with individual queries, from questions about store cards to complaints about purchases. They also deal with health and safety and security issues.

Entry level

There are several routes to becoming a retail manager. You could start your career as a sales assistant with no or few qualifications and work your way up. Competency-based internal training may be available, which may be linked to relevant qualifications.

You could enter via an in-company management training scheme. These are increasingly aimed at those with a degree or HNC/HND. Any subject is acceptable, but relevant courses include retail management, marketing and business studies. Some stores run schemes for those with two A levels/three H grades or equivalent qualifications.

Another possibility is the graduate apprenticeship scheme in retail management, run by the University of Surrey and leading to a BSc in Retail Management. It is aimed at people already employed in retail, who would like to study part time.

Making the grade

Most major retailers offer fast-track training and career development for graduates, and management training for sales assistants. Training on in-company management training schemes lasts around one to two years. They involve induction sessions, periods of in-store training, and usually periods at a college or company training centre.

Many stores sponsor staff for further learning and development opportunities such as management training courses or MBAs.

Some store managers move into district or regional management, looking after a group of stores. There may also be opportunities to move into support roles such as finance, human resources or buying. You may have to move to secure promotion.

Personal qualities

As a store manager, you should be a good team leader,with excellent organisational and people management skills. You must be willing to take on responsibility at an early stage in your career and you must be a quick thinker, not afraid to make decisions.

You would need excellent spoken and written communication skills and you must be committed to the needs of the customer. A smart appearance would normally be expected.