The retail industry is a flourishing industry and offers many opportunities in the roles that are common to other management functions in information technology, finance, and human resources. But there are two roles that are distinct to this industry, which are that of buying and inventory planning. The retail industry demands a lot of good store managers that can implement the sales and marketing strategies.
The simplest and the best way to start your career in retail management is by making your way up as a store manager and creating the right impression of your client service skills, reliability, and the right attitude, thereby getting to higher levels.
The main responsibility of the store manager is to take good care of the daily operations of the store. The task of this manager also depends on the location and size of the store. The schedules are set by the store managers and they also maintain the inventories, design store merchandise layout, ensure the client satisfaction, and report their work to the regional manager. Day to day responsibilities includes the customer issues, i.e. the store managers are responsible for all the queries, requests, comments, and complaints of clients of the company.
The store manager also looks for the new ways that can really improve the sales of the store by meeting the sales targets, analyzing the figures, and forecasting volumes with proper strategies. He also looks after the HR issues of training, recruiting, motivating, supervising, and resolving all safety, health, and legal problems associated with the store. He acts as a link between the management and the staff. He plans and designs the displays for the store too.
The person who wants to be a store manager can do a course in retail management after school. The course covers a lot of aspects of retail management skills, including the customer relationship, business ethics, communication, marketing, finance management, accounting, and other knowledge subjects that relate to the retail management. Different training programs can also help the person in enhancing the skills for a store manager job.
The skills for a store manager comprise a good blend of marketing, human resource management, sales experience, and marketing skills. Important skills that a store manager must possess include the efficiency to tackle the clients, understanding of the process of sales of the store, and loss prevention. The person should have a strong sense of finance and business. The ability to deal with tough clients and motivating the staff is a must for the person who wants to be a store manager.
Acquaintance with computer skills is an added advantage for the job of a store manager. The store manager is also responsible for the enforcement of the rules of the store on the staff. He needs to have patience and strength to work under stressful working conditions. The personal skills for the post of a store manger includes leadership, integrity, decision making, positive attitude, drive, enthusiasm, and great communication skills.
Supervisory experience in the retail industry would be an added advantage for a person looking for a job in retail management. The base salary can differ on the basis of the location and volume of the store. Store managers on average earn from $25,000 to $50,000 annually.
The world is full of opportunities in sales and any product manufacturer needs the selling process for earning revenues. Merchandising and selling to clients both need resources for the management. Retail is a vibrant part of the economy of the world. The job of a store manager in retail management is very stimulating and fast paced. The individuals who are really interested in the entrepreneur and service oriented opportunities should go for store manager jobs. The growth in store manager jobs is unbelievable. You have to take care that you perform all your responsibilities toward the store with perfection and then there is nothing that can stop you from climbing the ladder of success.
