Retail manager: Job description

Retail managers are responsible for running stores or departments to meet a company’s targets and policies. The aim of any retail manager is to maximise profit while minimising costs. Retail managers ensure promotions are accurate and merchandised to the company’s standards, staff are fully versed on the target for the day and excellent customer care standards are met.

Depending on the size of the store, and company structure, retail managers may also be required to deal with human resources, marketing, logistics, information technology, customer service and finance.

Typical work activities

Depending on the size of store and the area of retail, typical work activities may alter, but tasks typically involve:

• managing and motivating a team to increase sales and ensure efficiency;
• managing stock levels and making key decisions about stock control;
• analysing sales figures and forecasting future sales volumes to maximise profits;
• analysing and interpreting trends to facilitate planning;
• using information technology to record sales figures, for data analysis and forward planning;
• dealing with staffing issues such as interviewing potential staff, conducting appraisals and performance reviews, as well as providing or organising training and development;
• ensuring standards for quality, customer service and health and safety are met;
• resolving health and safety, legal and security issues;
• responding to customer complaints and comments;
• promoting the organisation locally by liaising with local schools, newspapers and the community in general;
• organising special promotions, displays and events;
• attending and chairing meetings;
• updating colleagues on business performance, new initiatives and other pertinent issues;
• touring the sales floor regularly, talking to colleagues and customers, and identifying or resolving urgent issues;
• maintaining awareness of market trends in the retail industry, understanding forthcoming customer initiatives and monitoring what local competitors are doing;
• initiating changes to improve the business, e.g. revising opening hours to ensure the store can compete effectively in the local market;
• dealing with sales, as and when required.