Store management

The role of a store manager is to run a retail operation effectively at store level. This involves making sure that stores are attractive to customers by offering them an appealing environment in which to shop, as well as providing the products they want to buy at the right time and the right price.

A crucial aspect of store management is to ensure that staff give excellent customer service at all times. There are also financial and commercial functions to take care of, such as deciding and meeting sales targets, checking stock levels, ensuring staffing levels are sufficient, making sure that health and safety regulations are being maintained and keeping an eye on labour performance statistics. It’s important to be aware of how the business is performing at all times.

Store managers are based at the forefront of the retail business: on the shop floor. This means there’s a great deal of people contact with both staff and customers. One of the best parts of the job is developing your staff to get the best out of them – and helping them get the most out of their job – as well as getting positive feedback from customers. Many of the larger retailers run a 24-hour operation, and although you won’t have to work a 24-hour day, you will need to understand how the business works when you’re not there.

Starting out in retail store management

A good degree from any background will stand you in good stead for getting a graduate job in this area. Similarly, gaining some retail experience in a similar kind of store will be popular with employers, as it shows you’re interested and means that you’ll already have some insight into how retail functions at shopfloor level.

There are many graduate training schemes in store management: these typically run for 12 to 18 months. Good graduate programmes offer a range of placements in different departments and will develop all the skills necessary to enable you to run your own store. These include leadership, managerial and communications skills, and the ability to take charge of all the commercial, financial and operational aspects – from sales and budgeting to staff recruitment and retention.

With a career in store operations you’ll take on significant responsibility at an early stage. For example, you could be managing a department in a store within a few months or be in charge of a whole store with a multimillion pound turnover inside two to three years. With that would come the responsibility for looking after a large team, which could reach the hundreds.

Skills for graduate retail store managers

To be successful in store operations, you’ll need the ability to communicate effectively with all kinds of people as well as the potential to develop leadership skills and motivate staff.

It’s an incredibly varied job, so the ability to multitask is essential. You will also need a genuine passion for retail and for delivering top-quality service to customers. You should enjoy variety and unpredictability – if you depend on routine this job won’t be right for you!

Rachel Lumb is store manager at Marks & Spencer in Fenchurch Street, London.