Retail manager
Manage a retail store to ensure high sales and happy customers and staff.
Also known as: store manager
About the job
What it's like
You would manage a retail store to ensure high sales and happy customers and staff. It would be your responsibility to make sure your store makes a profit and the members of your team are satisfied with their jobs.
Tasks vary, but usually you would:
Motivate your team to increase sales
Hire and train staff
Use a computer to order stock
Organise sales promotions and events
Serve customers
Deal with customer queries, complaints and feedback
Study sales figures and predict future sales
Follow market trends and competitors
Control budgets
Give reports to senior company executives
You would have to understand retail laws, security guidelines and health and safety rules and make sure your staff follow them.
Hours
In a full-time job you would normally work between 37 and 40 hours a week. Part-time work is often available. Your hours are likely to include weekends and possibly evenings, depending on the store's opening times.
Environment
You would divide your time between the sales area and your office in the store.
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Related industries
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- key performance indicators (kpis)
- retail management
- merchandising
- retail operations
- fashion retail
- visual merchandising
- sales analysis
- stock management
- fundraising
- security administration
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- motivating others
- making decisions
- delegating
- managing resources
- developing a plan
- problem solving
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Administration and Information Technology
Business Management
Skills for Work: Retailing
Foundation Apprenticeship: Business Skills
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There is no single entry route to this profession.
Many employers look for Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or Degree (SCQF level 9/10) in areas such as retail or business management.
You can enter a Higher National Diploma in Retail Management (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a degree in Retail Management or Marketing (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers at B or above or a relevant HNC/HND.
Employers also value relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Retail (SVQ level 2/3).
Qualifications and experience in customer services and sales such as Skills for Work Retailing (SCFQ level 5) may also be of value when applying to courses or entry level sales jobs.
Once in a job you can work towards relevant qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Retail: Management (SVQ level 3) or Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) management qualifications.
Previous sales experience, product knowledge is often essential
The ability to meet targets is often essential
You will need a driving licence for some jobs.
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