what is a store manager?
As a store manager, you are in charge of the daily operations of a store, from customer service management to oversight of various operations. You oversee the store and ensure all the departments run properly. For instance, you manage stock levels and make sure the store has enough supplies.
Store managers ensure store operations aren't interrupted due to a lack of employees. Therefore, you are actively involved in the hiring and training of new workers. You handle customer complaints and product returns. When problems arise, you resolve them to maintain the reputation of the retail outlet.
Since your main responsibility is to boost sales and maximise the store's profitability, you approve and implement marketing strategies. Ensuring all products are displayed and promoted effectively is crucial to boost sales. You also develop promotional strategies to attract more customers to the store.
As a store manager, you can work in various retail settings, such as supermarkets or convenience stores, and mostly deal with fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). The role requires excellent sales and customer service skills to encourage return customers. Store managers usually report to a general manager, who may be situated in a different location if the store has multiple outlets managed from one location.
Would working as a store manager suit your customer service skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a store manager role.
store manager jobsaverage store manager salary
According to the Economic Research Institute, the median salary of a store manager in Greece is €56,000 per year. You enjoy an average hourly rate of €27 and can get a yearly bonus of €5,500. In a junior store manager position, you start with a compensation package of €37,000 per year. Your earnings increase gradually with experience. In a senior shift manager position, you may take home approximately €87,000 per year.
how to increase your salary as a store manager
The main factor that influences your compensation package as a store manager is your experience. In a junior-level position, you have between one and three years of experience. With minimal expertise, it's difficult to negotiate a higher salary. As you improve your experience, you become an expert in in-store operations, and employers are willing to pay more for your expertise. Consider improving your qualifications and building your skills to increase your potential salary. Completing a bachelor's degree and pursuing relevant certifications improves your compensation prospects.
If you want to increase your earnings, consider working for a larger retail store. In a large organisation, you handle complex tasks for a company with a large number of resources. They can often afford to pay higher salaries and provide additional benefits to store managers. Working in large cities also boosts your earning potential due to the increased demand for store managers.
types of store managers
There are many store manager roles to explore, typically categorised by the places you work. Some types of store managers include:
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clothing store managers
Αs a clothing store manager, you plan product displays and deal with customers directly. You also run seasonal sales events to increase sales and maximise profits for the store.
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convenience store managers
As a convenience store manager, you run a store with convenience goods that people can quickly purchase on the go. You carry out merchandising and perform routine inventory management tasks.
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pharmacy managers
The role involves selling various health and wellness products, such as first aid kits, prescription medicines and beauty products. You manage the store's daily operations and work closely with pharmaceutical companies to ensure quality control of medicines and convenience products.
working as a store manager
Companies rely on store managers to make a profit. Your job focuses on increasing sales to meet the organisation's set targets while following company merchandising and marketing policies. Let's explore store managers' duties, work schedules and career outlook.
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what does a store manager do?
Some of the specific tasks of a store manager include:
- Ensuring the store meets targets and earns profits: a store manager's job is to meet monthly, quarterly and yearly sales goals. You offer sales promotions and encourage store employees to work harder by introducing incentives. Holding marketing campaigns may also help you reach sales goals.
- Maintaining the image of the store: as a store manager, you ensure products are correctly displayed to attract customers' attention. You make sure the store lives up to the predefined brand image. For instance, you ensure the store is clean and that the racks and shelves are properly stocked. You also introduce seasonal products to match the latest trends in the market.
- Managing the store's assets: as a store manager, the safety and security of the store is your responsibility. While the staff should create a pleasant shopping environment, it is also important for the store to be safe. Store managers create security policies and report breaches to keep the business premises safe. Managing assets also involves monitoring the stock to ensure customers have what they need.
- Delegating and assigning tasks: as a store manager, you are in charge of many subordinates. You are responsible for defining the roles and duties of each worker. You collaborate with assistant store managers, shift managers, supervisors and department managers.
- Hiring and training employees: a store should have enough employees to operate effectively. That means you participate in the hiring process by sourcing qualified candidates. You also train the workers to perform their retail store duties.
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work environment of a store manager
As a store manager, you work in various shops, including supermarkets or retail stores that specialise in specific items. You have an office inside the store, from where you perform the majority of your responsibilities. However, you spend a lot of your time on the retail floor supervising your employees. Your work environment is sometimes very busy and loud, especially during peak shopping periods. The role involves minimal travelling since you are responsible for a single store.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the industry, you work alongside marketing managers, sales managers and business development managers. Additionally, you work with sales associates, product managers, cashiers and merchandisers in department stores. You also interact with digital marketing managers, supply chain directors and inventory specialists.
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store manager work schedule
Store managers usually have long and irregular working periods, with most clocking in up to 40 hours a week. You should be at work during opening hours. If you run a 24-hour store, you are likely to work in shifts. You are also expected to work for long hours during the store's busy periods.
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career opportunities as a store manager
Many consider the position of a store manager as the highest on the retail career ladder. Therefore, when working in this role, you may decide to remain in the position for a long time. However, if you want to try something more challenging, there are related careers you can pursue. These include becoming a sales or warehouse staff supervisor or working in the store's administrative sector. You could also consider becoming a regional sales manager.
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store manager skills and education
Some of the educational qualifications you require to become a store manager include:
- Education: to work as a store manager, pursue a bachelor's degree in your field of interest. You can complete a business, computer science, advertising, marketing or sales degree. These courses will prepare you for retail management operations and handling customers.
- Work experience: gain experience through internships, part-time roles and entry-level positions in retail. Working in entry-level jobs improves your retail management skills, and you can easily secure a job after gaining sufficient hands-on experience.
competencies and characteristics of store managers
Some of the qualities of a store manager include:
- Leadership skills: you need leadership skills to motivate employees, as you encourage them to complete their assigned duties and carry out projects successfully. Some required leadership skills include creativity and problem-solving skills.
- Psychological skills: this role requires confidence and the ability to maintain a productive mindset. It is important to set goals and work hard towards achieving them.
- Organisational skills: you rely on organisational skills to keep the store operations running smoothly. When you are organised, you can juggle the many aspects of your job, such as customer communication, inventory and recruiting workers.
- Problem-solving skills: as a store manager, problem-solving skills help you handle various workplace issues. You use these skills to identify the most effective solutions for workplace conflicts or dealing with inventory issues.
- Coaching skills: as a store manager, your duties involve training and mentoring staff to ensure their work meets the company's standards. Your coaching skills are handy during training and team development activities.
- Computer skills: you rely on technology to manage the store operations. You require proficiency in using point of sale (POS), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and NetSuite software to run the store's operations. Knowing how to operate inventory management systems is also crucial for your role.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a store manager.
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what duties does a store manager do?
As a store manager, you are in charge of the daily operations in a retail outlet. You supervise various activities, from stocking the shelves to supervising staff. Your job is to ensure customers receive the best service and build loyalty to the departmental store. You also train workers on the benefits of products and the expectations for handling customers.
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what skills does a store manager have?
As a store manager, you require exceptional leadership skills to motivate and inspire workers to achieve the set goals. With your leadership skills, you can handle conflicts and issues that arise with customers. You also require customer service skills to deal with customers and ensure satisfaction. Since you run the store's daily operations, you rely on office management systems, which require computer skills to operate.
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is it stressful working as a store manager?
Store managers deal with heightened customer expectations and work in high-pressure environments. The role can be stressful since you manage a team of workers and may need to deal with angry customers. You are also expected to keep an eye on the store and deal with issues that arise.
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how do I prepare to be a retail or store manager?
To become a successful store manager, you require knowledge of retail management and good problem-solving ability. Gain experience in retail environments and learn the necessary skills for the role, like delegation and problem-solving.
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do store managers need training?
To work as a store manager, you require business, marketing, advertising or accounting training. You can start with a bachelor's degree or attend college training as you work part-time in a retail environment.
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how do I find a job as a store manager?
Finding a job near you as a store manager is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Then log in or register an account to send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
