Retail managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of department stores, local or national chain stores, supermarkets and independent shops selling goods such as clothes, shoes, gifts, jewellery or electrical items.
In large stores, there may be more than one manager, each responsible for a specific department.
Their duties usually include:
- making sure premises and displays are well maintained
- organising stock checking and re-ordering as necessary, through computerised or manual systems
- making sure targets are reached and all opportunities are taken to increase sales and profitability
- organising sales and promotions
- managing other staff
- recruiting, interviewing and training staff
- maintaining a good standard of customer care
- being aware of changing customer trends and expectations
- dealing with queries or complaints from customers
- seeing that all security, health and safety and legal procedures are carried out.
Most stores use computerised tills linked to stock control and ordering systems. Managers need to make sure these systems work efficiently and that all staff use them correctly.
Hours and environment
Retail managers usually work around 40 hours a week. Shop opening hours in towns are usually between 9am and 10am to 5.30pm or 6pm, including Saturdays, and sometimes with late night openings for shoppers once a week. Working hours in out-of-town stores are more flexible, according to the type of business, with opening hours from 8am up to 10pm. Some supermarkets trade 24 hours a day.
Managers are often in early to prepare for the day, and stay after closing to make sure systems and premises are closed down and secured properly. Job sharing and part-time work may be available in some places.
Work is indoors in a busy, often noisy environment. Although managers may have their own office or private area, they spend most of their time in the public areas. The work involves standing, walking and sometimes bending and stretching when displaying goods or showing items to customers. Many shops and stores provide a uniform.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
- Starting salaries are usually from around €25,000.
- Experienced managers may earn from around €35,000 to €45,000.
- Managers of large stores may earn up to €75,000 or more in some areas.
Pension schemes, staff discounts and other benefits may be available.
Skills and personal qualities
A retail manager should:
- know the company’s products and procedures well
- be committed to providing a high standard of customer service
- be able to lead and motivate a team
- be confident, energetic and quick-thinking
- have excellent spoken and written communication skills
- be able to take responsibility and make decisions
- have a smart appearance
- be organised
- be able to deal effectively with problems and complaints
- be able to balance business and customer needs
- have a good knowledge of legal and security issues
- have relevant commercial skills for the business.
Interests
It is important to:
- be interested in the company’s area of business
- enjoy working in a lively, busy environment.
Getting in
There are good opportunities, as nearly three hundred thousand people working in retail jobs across Ireland. Retail managers are employed by national or international companies running shops and stores across the country, department stores and independent retail businesses of different types and sizes.
Most shops and stores handle their own staff recruitment, so it is worth personally contacting local ones to find out about job vacancies. Jobs may be advertised in local newspapers or on websites of national retail companies.
Entry Routes:
The Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision is an exciting new two-year programme designed for people who have potential to work in a management or supervisory position within retail. This Apprenticeship programme provides apprentices with the skills, attitude and competencies to excel as a Retail Supervisor in any retail subsector.
Many retail managers have been promoted from sales assistant and supervisory positions, by demonstrating competence and enthusiasm to train further and progress.
Larger retail businesses have their own training schemes and centres for supervisory and management training.
Some national retail businesses run graduate trainee management schemes for entrants with a suitable degree, but places are limited on these schemes. Contact national retail businesses for details of their graduate schemes. Graduate trainee management schemes are usually a combination of skills training and work placement in one or more of a company’s stores.
Getting on
There may be opportunities for retail managers working for larger businesses to become senior managers, area managers or move into a head office management position. However, managers may have to move to a different location for promotion.
With experience and enthusiasm, retail managers in smaller, independent shops and stores may progress to similar positions in larger stores.
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