what is a retail manager?
A retail manager is in charge of the daily operations of a store, from customer service management to oversight of various procedures. As a retail manager, you oversee the store and ensure all the departments run correctly. For instance, you manage stocks and make sure the store has enough supplies.
You are involved in hiring and training new workers to ensure the store operations are continued due to a need for more employees. You handle customer complaints and the return of products. When problems arise, you resolve them to maintain the reputation of the retail outlet.
Since your primary 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 to increase sales is crucial. You also develop promotional strategies to attract customers to the store.
As a retail manager, you can work in various retail settings, such as supermarkets or convenience stores. The role requires excellent sales and customer service skills to encourage return customers. Retail managers usually report to a general manager, who may be situated in a different location if the store has multiple centrally managed outlets.
view opportunitiesaverage analyst salary
The average remuneration of a retail manager in New Zealand is $53,500 per year. As a retail manager, your starting remuneration package is $47,000 annually, while the highest salaries exceed $60,000 annually.
factors that affect your earnings as a retail manager
Your remuneration varies depending on various factors. For instance, when you work for a well-established company, you are likely to earn a higher salary since they can afford a higher remuneration. A new independent business may need more funds to pay higher wages.
Your location also influences your earnings. For instance, metro areas usually pay more compared to smaller cities. The difference in remuneration is due to the higher cost of living in metro areas. Your academic background and work experience also determine your earnings. Companies are willing to pay more for the experience you bring to the role.
types of retail managers
There are many retail manager roles to explore, typically categorised by your workplace. Some types of retail managers include:
- clothing retail manager: as a clothing retail manager, you plan the displays and deal with customers directly. You also run seasonal sale events to increase sales and maximise profits for the store.
- convenience retail manager: as a convenience retail manager, you run a store with convenience goods that people can quickly purchase on the go. You do merchandising and perform routine inventory tasks.
- pharmacy manager: the role involves selling various health and wellness products like first aid kits, prescription drugs and beauty products. You manage the daily store operations and work closely with pharmaceutical companies to ensure quality control of medicines and health products.
working as a retail manager
As a retail manager, your job is to run the operations of a retail store. Check out the duties, responsibilities and work environments of a retail manager.
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retail manager job description
Some of the specific tasks of a retail manager include:
- ensuring the store meets targets and earns profits: a retail manager's job is to meet monthly, quarterly and yearly sales goals. As a retail manager, you offer sales promotions and encourage employees to work harder by introducing incentives like employee contests. Holding marketing campaigns helps achieve sales goals.
- maintaining the image of the store: as a retail manager, you ensure the products are correctly displayed to attract customers' attention. You ensure the store lives up to the predefined brand image. For instance, you make sure the store is clean and the racks and shelves are adequately stocked. You also introduce seasonal products to match the latest trends in the market.
- managing the store's assets: as a retail manager, the safety and security of the store is your responsibility. While the staff create a pleasant shopping environment, it should also be safe. Retail managers make security policies and report breaches to keep the business premises safe. Managing the assets also involves monitoring stocks to ensure customers find their needs.
- ordering products: as a retail manager, you ensure the merchandise in the store is sufficient to meet demands. You also ensure the shop provides a variety of items from various industries, from fashion items to food and jewellery from the mining industry.
- ensuring compliance with company policies: as a retail manager, you ensure employees comply with the company policies. Most companies set policies that govern everything that happens in the shop. For instance, you check the display techniques and ensure the quality matches the desired standards.
- customer service: as a retail manager, you handle customer issues that other employees cannot address. For instance, you handle large refunds or customer complaints.
- delegating and assigning tasks: as a retail manager, you are in charge of many other employees. You are responsible for defining the roles and duties of each worker. You collaborate with assistant retail managers, shift managers, supervisors, and department managers.
- hiring and training employees: as a retail manager, you ensure the store has 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
As a retail manager, you work in various shops, such as supermarkets or stores specialising in specific items. You usually have an office inside the store, where you perform most of your responsibilities. However, you spend more time on the retail floor supervising other employees. Your working environment is sometimes bustling and loud, especially during peak periods. The role involves minimal travelling since you are responsible for a single store.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and industry, your colleagues might include retail sales assistants, sales consultants and sales representatives. You might also be working close to department managers and customer service agents, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, visual merchandisers, salespersons and store assistants.
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work schedule
Retail managers usually have long and irregular working periods, with most clocking in up to 42 hours a week. You should be at work during opening hours. That means you work on public holidays, weekends and sometimes at night. If you run a 24-hour store, you are likely to work in shifts. You also work long hours during the store's busy periods.
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job outlook
Many consider the retail manager position the highest on the retail career ladder. Therefore, you may remain in the position for a long time when working in this role. However, if you want to try something more challenging, there are related careers to 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 or state sales manager.
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advantages of finding a retail manager job through randstad
Finding your retail manager job through Randstad provides essential benefits such as the following:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a retail manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
retail manager education and skills
There are no specific requirements to become a retail manager. However, you generally need business management skills or experience in retail work.
Most retail managers gain experience in retail sales assistant roles before moving into management positions, and many retail stores have their own in-house management training programmes.
Retail managers can also complete a formal qualification, such as a business management course or the New Zealand Certificate in Retail (Level 3 or 4).
skills and competencies
A retail manager requires the following skills to excel in the role:
- administrative skills: as a retail manager, your job involves keeping essential business records like bank statements and daily intake figures. You require organisational skills to manage payroll and create employee rosters.
- leadership skills: as a retail manager, you oversee the store's operations. That includes managing store assistants, supervisors and customer service assistants. You use your leadership skills to delegate tasks and manage operations. With your leadership skills, you can motivate other employees to improve productivity. As a good leader, you positively influence your team to optimise their productivity.
- communication and interpersonal skills: as a retail manager, you communicate with a range of employees and customers daily. You need excellent verbal communication skills to assist customers or provide instructions to employees. Your communication skills ensure your store maintains a good reputation and team members are productive.
- customer service: a retail manager should provide the best customer service. You evaluate the best customer service strategies for your customers and train your staff to improve customer satisfaction. Good customer service increases customer retention and encourages people to return to the shop.
- computer skills: store operations are managed through computer software. You require computing skills to track your stock and orders. You also use online messaging platforms to deliver rosters.
FAQs about working as a retail manager
Here are the most asked questions about working as a retail manager:
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what does a retail manager do?
As a retail manager, you oversee the operations of a convenience store or shop. You ensure the completion of daily tasks like stock taking and organisation of displays. You also manage the teams working in the store by assigning tasks and recruiting new workers to fill the gaps.
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how much do retail managers earn in New Zealand?
The average remuneration of a retail manager is $53,500 per year. Entry-level jobs pay $47,000 annually, while top-earning retail managers take home over $60,000 annually. The remuneration package depends on your qualifications and work experience. When you have extensive experience, your earnings increase gradually.
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how do I become a retail manager in New Zealand?
There are no specific requirements to become a retail manager. However, you generally need business management skills or experience in retail work.
Most retail managers gain experience in retail sales assistant roles before moving into management positions, and many retail stores have their own in-house management training programmes.
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what skills do you require to become a retail manager?
A retail manager requires communication skills to communicate with customers and employees. Having customer service abilities also helps you attract and retain customers.
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how do I apply for a retail manager vacancy?
Applying for a retail manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our analyst job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.