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Retail manager

Alternative titles for this job include

Retail managers look after stores, motivate staff to achieve sales targets, organise promotional events and monitor industry trends.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£60,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a company training scheme

University

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:

  • retail management
  • retail marketing
  • business management

It's useful to get some experience in retail during your studies. You can do this through part-time retail jobs, internships and year placement schemes.

Your university careers service can help you find suitable opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

College

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

Relevant subjects include:

  • management
  • retail management
  • management skills and knowledge

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship.

Relevant apprenticeships include:

  • Retail Team Leader Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Team Leader Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Retail Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Retail Leadership Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 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

Work

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.

Other Routes

Many national retailers run trainee management schemes. Some ask for a degree to apply.

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

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • business management skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a retail manager you'll:

  • manage and motivate teams to increase sales
  • oversee recruitment and training of staff
  • keep track of stock and ordering
  • organise sales promotions and in-store events
  • deal with queries, complaints and feedback from customers
  • analyse sales figures and forecast future sales
  • control budgets and provide reports to senior company executives
  • put security measures in place to protect against fraud and theft

Working environment

You could work at a store or in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

  • progress into area or regional management
  • move into more specialist areas, like customer service, training and operations management
  • use your management skills to work in another industry

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Retail Parts Advisor Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire

Retail Parts Advisor Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Slyfield Industrial Estate, Guildford
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Foundation Business & Retail Pathway

  • Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
  • Start date: 11 September 2025
  • Location: Reading

BTEC Foundation in Business and Retail

  • Provider: LEICESTER COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Leicester
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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