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How Much Money Can You Make As a Store Manager?

Have you ever considered a career in retail? If so, then congratulations! You have found a relatively prosperous career niche. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for retail associate professionals is expected to grow 25% over the next decade, which makes it one of the most in-demand job categories.

While retail is a lucrative field, it is not necessarily an easy one. To increase your odds of being successful, you will need to prepare yourself for a career in retail management.

Here, we will discuss the various elements that you will need to consider before you commit to a managerial role in a retail store.

Your Skills

Whether you are transitioning from college to the workforce or you have been working in retail for some time, you will need to ensure that you have the required skills to succeed. In general, you will need to possess strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. The following will discuss these skills in more detail.

Communication Skills

The ability to effectively communicate with customers and other employees is a critical skill for any manager or team leader. In a retail setting, you will be expected to interact with customers on a daily basis, so developing these communication skills is an essential component of your preparation. To improve your verbal communication skills, you will need to invest in your vocabulary. For example, instead of saying “Could you please bring me the annual report?”, you could say, “Could you please give me a copy of the annual report?” Or, instead of “How many kilos of the chocolate bar did you sell last month?”, you could say, “What was the total quantity of the chocolate bar that you sold last month?” The more you practice, the better you will become at using effective language and demonstrating good communication skills.

Interpersonal Skills

To be able to lead a team, you will need to possess excellent interpersonal skills. You will need to be able to build effective relationships with both customers and co-workers. This is a critical skill that will make or break your managerial career. If you have had previous experience working with customers, then this will come easily to you. However, if this is a skill that you are just now developing, then ensure that you work on your social skills. The better your social skills, the better your ability to connect with customers. Some employers may require you to participate in social media for the job, so ensure that you are developing these skills. The following will discuss ways that you can improve your interpersonal skills.

Organizational Skills

To succeed in a retail business, you will need to have strong organizational skills. This includes the ability to plan schedules, balance workflows, and keep track of tasks. A few days a week, you will be expected to work long hours without any overtime compensation. In these instances, you will need to ensure that you have the required organizational skills to be able to keep track of all the details. The following will discuss various ways in which organizational skills can be developed.

Education

While previous experience in a retail setting is certainly desirable, you will also need to have the educational background to fit the job. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost all of the retail jobs that exist today were originally held by someone with at least a high school diploma. Further, almost all of the current retail managers that you will come across have either a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree in business administration or economics. The following will discuss the specific educational requirements for different types of retail jobs.

Certifications

In an ever-changing world, employers are becoming more and more stringent about requiring certifications for specific jobs. For example, while previous experience in a retail setting is certainly desirable, if you do not have the necessary certifications, then you may find it difficult to get hired. The good thing is that you can always get certifications to fit any job description, so make sure that you are taking the steps to become more marketable.

Work Environment

As a store manager, you will be expected to work in a retail environment. This means that you will be responsible for maintaining an orderly shopping area that allows for easy customer service. There is not a lot of room for error, as mistakes made by either you or your employees can have serious consequences. The following will discuss the various aspects of the work environment that you should consider.

Pay & Benefits

One of the first things that you will be asked when you begin your job search is how much you are willing to earn. Depending on the size of the establishment, you may start out with a base salary and then be eligible for tips and commission. The more experienced you become, the more likely you will earn above-minimum wages. Keep in mind that your co-workers, customers, and employers all have different ideas about what is fair compensation for the job that you have. Be sure to review the various offers that you receive, as well as the ones that you make, to find the one that best fits your needs.

As for the benefits, if you manage to get a job in retail, then you will receive a variety of benefits. These include healthcare coverage, life insurance, and retirement savings. Most companies will also provide you with a discount on shopping at the retail store. You will not be able to access these benefits, however, if you decide to become a manager at a retail store.

The key, of course, is to find a job that you enjoy. If you do not feel that you are making the right amount of money, then it may be a sign that you are not truly enjoying your job. Seek out potential opportunities in retail that you feel confident that you can excel at, and enjoy the benefits that come with the job.