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Job outlook for directors of retail sales in the United States
Are director of retail sales jobs in demand?
Director of retail sales job and salary trends over time
Director of retail sales jobs over time
Director of retail sales job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,294 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,799 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,871 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,705 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,630 | 0.00% |
Average director of retail sales salary over time
Director of retail sales salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,773 | $17.68 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $35,202 | $16.92 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $34,530 | $16.60 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $33,651 | $16.18 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | $32,789 | $15.76 | +3.6% |
Director of retail sales jobs by state
Most common states for directors of retail sales
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 305 | 44% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 576 | 43% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,871 | 42% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 388 | 40% |
| 5 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,903 | 39% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 242 | 39% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 327 | 38% |
| 8 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 672 | 37% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 2,043 | 36% |
| 10 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,760 | 35% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 4,329 | 34% |
| 12 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 2,299 | 34% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,221 | 34% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 3,444 | 33% |
| 15 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 1,523 | 33% |
| 16 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 1,454 | 33% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,016 | 32% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 533 | 31% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 181 | 31% |
| 20 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 910 | 30% |
Most common cities for directors of retail sales
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bentonville | 1 | 2% | $27,086 |
| 2 | Dublin | 1 | 2% | $27,201 |
| 3 | Bellevue | 1 | 1% | $36,341 |
| 4 | Costa Mesa | 1 | 1% | $42,426 |
| 5 | Fayetteville | 1 | 1% | $27,184 |
| 6 | Mission Viejo | 1 | 1% | $42,365 |
| 7 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $28,887 |
| 8 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $36,159 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $31,462 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $31,075 |
| 11 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $31,925 |
| 12 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $33,689 |
| 13 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $42,391 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $42,585 |
| 15 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $33,815 |
| 16 | Minneapolis | 1 | 0% | $32,324 |
| 17 | Modesto | 1 | 0% | $42,892 |
| 18 | New Orleans | 1 | 0% | $30,992 |
Director Of Retail Sales job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of director of retail sales experts
Texas Christian University
University of Maryland
Baylor University
Longwood University
Montana State University
Fordham University
National Retail Federation
Morningside College
Ken Corbit Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in MarketingTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Director Of Retail Sales?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: Strategic
Company Selection:
Focus on joining companies with robust sales training programs, emphasizing consultative selling. Look for organizations that invest in your development, providing live calling experiences, quota-driven sales processes, and exposure to tools like Salesforce.
Tech
Proficiency and Sales Tools Mastery:
Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge sales technologies, including CRM tools like Salesforce. Your proficiency in these tools will not only streamline your sales processes but also position you as a tech-savvy professional in the competitive sales landscape.
Hands-On
Experience:
Actively engage in live calling, take ownership of sales funnels, and work with senior hiring authorities during your training. This hands-on experience will not only build your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges of consultative selling.
Research
and Decision-Making Skills:
Develop strong research skills to evaluate companies based on fit, growth opportunities, compensation structures, and overall potential. This informed decision-making approach will set you apart and empower you to navigate the sales landscape strategically.
Mentorship
and Networking:
Seek mentorship both within and outside your organization. Building relationships with mentors who invest in your sales skills and knowledge will provide valuable insights. Additionally, actively participate in online forums to connect with practical sales
knowledge and best practices.
Roland Rust Ph.D.
Distinguished University Professor, David Bruce Smith Chair in Marketing, Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Service, Ph.D., Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill MarketingUniversity of Maryland
Robert H. Smith School of Business
What skills stand out on Director Of Retail Sales resumes?
Roland Rust Ph.D.: One might think that a stellar sales record would be most important, but that would be most relevant only if the individual has prior sales manager experience. If promoting a salesperson to sales manager, the thing that may be missing is administrative and managerial skills. In addition, we are in a technological revolution, driven by AI, which means that prior knowledge and experience with AI-related analysis would also definitely stand out (although probably hard to find).
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.
Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021Baylor University
Hankamer School of Business
What hard/technical skills are most important for Directors Of Retail Sales?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: One of the growing technical skill requirements for sales managers is in the area of data analytics. Our performance and customer systems provide a myriad of data, and the role of the sales manager is to be a sense-maker of that mound of data. What are the implications for changes in strategy or behavior evident in last quarter's activity? How can the sales manager help a specific seller "see" where the data suggest new approaches?
What skills will help Directors Of Retail Sales earn the most?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: People who can recognize patterns (in data, in people), build connections with and across others, create a focus on high-performance behaviors, and lead with a confident humility are those who will win today and in the future business environment.
What skills stand out on Director Of Retail Sales resumes?
Dr. David Lehr: Information flow skills, particularly surrounding data analytics.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Directors Of Retail Sales to find work opportunities?
Dr. David Lehr: Most job growth will continue to be in urban centers and the surrounding suburbs. Rural areas will continue to struggle (remote work notwithstanding).
What skills stand out on Director Of Retail Sales resumes?
Dr. Angela Woodland Ph.D.: Skills that are immediately useful stand out on resumes. Right now, data analytics skills are in hot demand. A desirable job candidate should be able to import large data sets in various formats, clean data, manipulate data, interrogate data, and draw conclusions from the data. Additionally, the job candidate should be able to prepare informative and easy-to-follow data visualizations of the results. This skill set allows a job candidate to be immediately useful in an organization. It is the new way of analyzing and communicating.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Of Retail Sales?
Peter Johnson DPS: From an academic standpoint, I believe there will be a minimal long-lasting impact on our graduates. All students will be required to complete the necessary credits and be assessed for their performance. Many of their courses will be online, but there is currently no research body that clearly indicates that online teaching is significantly less effective than in class. Several studies of work from home (WFH) indicate comparable or increase productivity.
What type of skills will young Directors Of Retail Sales need?
Peter Johnson DPS: There are three things that employers are looking for:
1. Demonstrated ability to solve problems
2. Ability to analyze and make decisions based on data
3. Communication skills with management, teams, and clients
Bill Thorne
Executive Director of the NRF Foundation and Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs of NRFNational Retail Federation
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Directors Of Retail Sales in the next 3-5 years?
Bill Thorne: COVID-19 has accelerated the trends we've seen over the past few years as retailers reimagine the customer experience, blending online and offline channels. Mobile apps provide in-store wayfinding and augmented reality to allow customers to quickly search products and identify their exact locations in the store. Additionally, many retailers offer Buy Online, Pick-up In-Store (BOPIS), or curbside pickup options so that customers can pay and checkout with minimal or no contact. We expect retailers will continue to use a variety of tools to help shoppers find the items they need and want.
Heath Weber
Assoc Dean for Performing ArtsMorningside College
School of Visual and Performing Arts
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Directors Of Retail Sales in the next 5 years?
Heath Weber: The Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicates a 4% increase, over the next five years, for teaching careers.