What does a Store Manager do?
Store managers are responsible for the general management of a retail store. That could mean one store in a chain of thousands or a stand-alone retail establishment. Regardless of the size of the parent company, a store manager's primary purpose is to ensure that a store's operations run smoothly.
While most companies do not look for their store managers to have a specific educational background, some say they prefer candidates that have a college degree. The best store managers have many years of retail experience, a strong ability to lead, and excellent attention to detail.
- Drive customer service excellence to every aspect of the store, including store appearance, display of merchandise, product placement, story layout, and selling procedures
- Ensure strategic goals and sales targets of the store are met by maximizing sales and gross profit, reviewing sales performance, controlling expenses, and managing inventory
- Hire, train, develop, and supervise staff
- Provide staff with feedback, coaching, and performance evaluations
- Coordinate daily staffing and staffing schedules
- Ensure the store complies with outlined safety policies and proceduces, as well as state and local health regulations
- Make sure wages, work hours, and equal employment opportunities are upheld according to federal and state laws
- Perform administrative tasks to support the smooth operation of all store operations, including the timely submission of all personnel paperwork, preparing and submitting reports, and monitoring sales receipts and cash
- Monitor stock and inventory, and perform quality assurance of merchandise on a regular basis
- Minimum high school diploma, GED, or equivalent education
- 3-5 years of retail sales required; retail management experience and a college degree preferred
- Excellent organizational, time management, prioritization, and multitasking skills
- Experience with interviewing, hiring and evaluating candidates, and assessing employee performance
- Basic math skills sufficient to complete orders, calculate inventory, and manage cash registers
- Ability to reach overhead, bend, squat, kneel, and carry products in order to perform and cover all workfloor duties
- Able to give clear directions and set expectations for staff
- Demonstrated ability to lead by example
How much does a Store Manager make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$68,907
/ yrStore Manager Career Path
Learn how to become a Store Manager, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Store Manager Insights
Big 5 Sporting Goods“You don't get a bonus if your store is clean and spotless and does well in sales.”
“I really liked working there the wait staff was great and talkative and the kitchen was understanding towards mistakes.”
Starbucks“Customers are rude and entitled and we are expected to undermine our team to kiss their butts.”
bareMinerals“It is such a fun and great environment to work especially with the right staff.”
ALDI“Deputy premium pay (£4 extra per hour) is good on the rare occasion you get it”
Wendy's“If you’re all about work then this is great but the work life balance is pretty terrible”
Lanka Electricity“It's highly appreciated if the company looks for promotions who getting career development and not to discourage them”
Alley Theatre“The people I work with are the best in the industry and they’re my closest friends”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of store managers
The typical day of a store manager involves overseeing retail operations, staff, store and product presentation, and customer service. They're responsible for meeting sales goals, ordering inventory, and coaching staff and spend most of their time on the sales floor.
A store manager can be considered a good career with good pay depending on experience. Becoming a store manager provides the opportunity to be around a lot of different people while working in a fast-paced environment. The career can require 45-50 work hours per week, plus some night and weekend work.
A store manager's average pay in the U.S. is $68,907. While salaries start off modest for new store managers, experienced employees can make up to $105,468 per year. Salaries also vary based on the type of store itself and the location of the store.
Working as a store manager may be considered a hard job at times, as things like long hours during the holiday season, working weekends, and handling disgruntled customers can be difficult. Some companies may require you to work extra during busy times, including longer days than usual.