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What does an assistant retail store manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

An assistant retail store manager is responsible for monitoring retail store operations and ensuring that the staff provides the highest customer services for the consumers. Assistant retail store managers delegate tasks and strategize on techniques to boost the efficiency and productivity of the employees to drive customer satisfaction. They also coordinate and negotiate contracts with suppliers and third-party vendors, manage inventories, and encourage the team in targeting sales goals. An assistant retail store manager writes performance and financial reports, resolves discrepancies, and analyzes market trends to identify business opportunities for revenue resources.

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Assistant retail store manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real assistant retail store manager resumes:

  • Ensure maintenance of store including cleanliness and overall aesthetics and manage the load process and backroom activities/organization.
  • Create implementation plans to support execution of Starbucks initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results.
  • Stock shelves and maintain the cleanliness of the store.
  • Hire, train and schedule the staff to serve the customers and operate the POS system.
  • Prepare weekly payroll; keep accurate records of merchandise check in on purchase orders & match up with invoices.
  • Assist manager in scheduling and budgeting of the entire staff's hours to stay within company's expectations for payroll expenditures.
  • Prepare advertising, Facebook advertising, computer sales thru SearsHometown.Com.
  • Communicate with various wholesalers that deal with fashion jewelry and accessories.
  • Prepare sales and customer relations reports by analyzing and categorizing sales information; identifying and investigating customer complaints and service suggestions.
  • Excel in sale goals set by home office by upselling products and offering discount cards to every customer.

Assistant retail store manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Assistant Retail Store Managers are proficient in Store Operations, Sales Floor, and Cash Handling. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.

We break down the percentage of Assistant Retail Store Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Store Operations, 9%

    Communicated clearly, concisely, and accurately in order to ensure effective store operations.

  • Sales Floor, 8%

    Maximized store volume and profits by monitoring product flow and gross margin to determine proper product placement on the sales floor.

  • Cash Handling, 8%

    Expedite daily inventory procedures, cash handling/balancing, deposit fund reconciliation, and reporting to ensure minimal shrink.

  • Inventory Control, 8%

    Maintain proper inventory controls, facilitates inventory transaction and bulk counts.

  • Payroll, 7%

    Worked with the Store Manager on store sales goals, promotions, budgeting, payroll, in-store events, and scheduling.

  • Customer Service, 7%

    Provide excellent customer service and offered accurate information that allowed customer to be satisfied as well as make informed decisions.

Most assistant retail store managers use their skills in "store operations," "sales floor," and "cash handling" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential assistant retail store manager responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an assistant retail store manager to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, an assistant retail store manager resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "developed excellent customer relationships through top-notch service, product knowledge, and communication. "

Leadership skills. Many assistant retail store manager duties rely on leadership skills. "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources.," so an assistant retail store manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways assistant retail store manager responsibilities rely on leadership skills: "developed several employees into retail management, indirect, customer service leadership, and training positions. "

Problem-solving skills. A big part of what assistant retail store managers do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to assistant retail store manager responsibilities because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical assistant retail store manager tasks: "resolved customer complaints in a timely and empathetic manner. "

Time-management skills. Another common skill required for assistant retail store manager responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of assistant retail store managers all the time, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." An excerpt from a real assistant retail store manager resume shows how this skill is central to what an assistant retail store manager does: "ensured compliance with accounting guidelines, deadlines, and prepared reports and financial statements for the board. "

All assistant retail store manager skills

Compare different assistant retail store managers

Assistant retail store manager vs. Co-manager

A co-manager's role is to supervise business operations and perform administrative tasks as support to a manager. One of the primary functions of a co-manager is to delegate tasks of team members and arrange schedules. They also evaluate progress, produce the necessary documentation, maintain a record of data, identify issues and opportunities, and assist in coordinating with other employees. A co-manager may also have the task of hiring and training new workforce members, enforcing policies and regulations at all times.

If we compare the average assistant retail store manager annual salary with that of a co-manager, we find that co-managers typically earn a $26,347 higher salary than assistant retail store managers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both assistant retail store manager and co-manager positions are skilled in store operations, sales floor, and cash handling.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an assistant retail store manager are more likely to require skills like "retail sales," "cash management," "sales," and "hr." On the other hand, a job as a co-manager requires skills like "food safety," "perform routine maintenance," "basic math," and "ladders." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Co-managers really shine in the retail industry with an average salary of $64,497. Comparatively, assistant retail store managers tend to make the most money in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $39,530.co-managers tend to reach similar levels of education than assistant retail store managers. In fact, co-managers are 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Assistant retail store manager vs. Store manager and buyer

A store manager is responsible for selecting and purchasing goods. They provide information on products, including prices and promotions. They are responsible for providing recommendations to clients, handling customer requires, and solving any issues. They also monitor sales.

On average, store managers and buyer earn a $30,349 higher salary than assistant retail store managers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Assistant retail store managers and store managers and buyer both require similar skills like "store operations," "sales floor," and "inventory control" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real assistant retail store manager resumes. While assistant retail store manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "cash handling," "customer satisfaction," "cash management," and "sales," store managers and buyer use skills like "market trends," "trade shows," "apparel," and "boutique."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Store managers and buyer tend to reach similar levels of education than assistant retail store managers. In fact, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Assistant retail store manager vs. Assistant manager/merchandise

Assistant managers for merchandise are employees who oversee the supplies in the company's stores. They are usually employed in companies that run retail stores. Assistant managers for merchandise are responsible for their stores' supplies, stocks, and inventory. They ensure that their inventories are well-stocked. They are also responsible for approving purchase requisitions to ensure that the store never runs out of supplies. They plan for the daily needs of the store. They also prepare for high volume or peak days and anticipate the needs of the store. As such, they order enough supplies to cover for such days. They also manage store employees and ensure that they are properly trained.

On average scale, assistant managers/merchandise bring in higher salaries than assistant retail store managers. In fact, they earn a $18,663 higher salary per year.assistant retail store managers and assistant managers/merchandise both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "store operations," "sales floor," and "cash handling," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from assistant retail store manager resumes include skills like "retail sales," "customer satisfaction," "cash management," and "sales," whereas an assistant manager/merchandise is more likely to list skills in "drive sales," "direct reports," "front end," and "stock room. "

Most assistant managers/merchandise achieve a similar degree level compared to assistant retail store managers. For example, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Assistant retail store manager vs. Co-manager/store manager

A co-manager/store manager oversees the daily operations of a store, ensuring smooth workflow and customer satisfaction. They are in charge of setting goals and sales targets, establishing guidelines and timelines, delegating responsibilities among staff, and developing strategies to optimize store operations. They are also responsible for monitoring all store activities, addressing issues and concerns, and resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, as a co-manager/store manager, it is essential to manage and supervise staff, leading them to reach goals while implementing the store's policies and regulations.

Co-manager/store managers average a higher salary than the annual salary of assistant retail store managers. The difference is about $2,901 per year.While both assistant retail store managers and co-manager/store managers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like store operations, sales floor, and inventory control, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An assistant retail store manager uses "cash handling," "retail sales," "customer satisfaction," and "cash management." Co-manager/store managers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "merchandise presentation," "financial performance," "drive sales," and "performance management. "In general, co-manager/store managers hold similar degree levels compared to assistant retail store managers. Co-manager/store managers are 0.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of assistant retail store manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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