Retail manager

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• a company training scheme

University

You could do a degree before applying to join an organisation's management training scheme. Most subjects are accepted but you may have an advantage if you study:

• business retail management
• retail marketing

It's useful to gain some experience in retail during your studies. You can do this through part-time retail jobs, internships and year placement schemes.

Your university careers service can help you find suitable opportunities.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Management
• Level 4 Diploma in Retail Management

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Apprenticeship

You could start off in a retail team leader advanced apprenticeship and work your way up, or do a retail manager higher apprenticeship or retail leadership degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to start as a retail sales assistant and work your way up through promotion to supervisor or department manager.

You could also get into this job by switching from a managerial post in a related industry like customer service. You would be given training in retail to build on your existing management experience.

OtherRoutes

Many national retailers run trainee management schemes. Some will be for people with a suitable degree.

These combine training and mentoring with work placements in different parts of the business to develop your retail knowledge, skills and leadership qualities.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• leadership skills
• to enjoy working with other people
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to sell products and services
• business management skills
• maths knowledge
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• a desire to help people
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Retail managers look after stores, motivate staff to achieve sales targets, organise promotional events and monitor industry trends.

You will:

• manage and motivate teams to increase sales
• oversee recruitment and training of staff
• keep track of stock and ordering
• organise sales promotions and in-store events
• deal with queries, complaints and feedback from customers
• analyse sales figures and forecast future sales
• maintain awareness of market trends and monitor competitors
• control budgets and costs
• provide reports to senior company executives

Location : You could work at a store or in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £60,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 42 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays managing your own hours

Career Path:

With experience you could progress into area or regional management.

You could also move into more specialist areas, like customer service, training and operations management.