Retail manager

You could do a degree before applying to join an organisation's management training scheme. Most subjects are accepted but you may have an advantage if you study:

• business retail management
• retail marketing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

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• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Management
• Level 4 Diploma in Retail Management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

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• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could do a retail manager higher apprenticeship or retail leadership degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You may be able to start as a retail sales assistant and work your way up through promotion to supervisor or department manager.

You could also get into this job by switching from a managerial post in a related industry like customer service. You would be given training in retail to build on your existing management experience.

Many national retailers run graduate trainee management schemes for people with a suitable degree.

These combine training and mentoring with work placements in different parts of the business to develop your retail knowledge, skills and leadership qualities.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• leadership skills
• to enjoy working with other people
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to sell products and services
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• managing and motivating teams to increase sales
• overseeing recruitment and training of staff
• keeping track of stock and ordering
• organising sales promotions and in-store events
• dealing with queries, complaints and feedback from customers
• analysing sales figures and forecasting future sales
• maintaining awareness of market trends and monitoring competitors
• controlling budgets and costs
• providing reports to senior company executives

You could work at a store or in an office.