How To Become A Retail Business Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a retail business manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

R. Scott Hengen

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a retail business manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $38.67 an hour? That's $80,435 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 189,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a retail business manager?

R. Scott Hengen

Technical Theatre Faculty/Production Coordinator, Montgomery College

Your studies and time in school are a good base and support for your production in the industry. As you begin, please consider that you will still be learning and, even though you have learned the essentials, you will be asked to apply your skills and experience in new ways and in a more competitive and practical atmosphere. Deadlines must be met, and the economy of time and effort will be crucial. Work hard, but try to keep a balance between time in the industry and your home life.

ScoreRetail Business ManagerUS Average

Salary

6.3

Avg. Salary $80,435

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.42%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 15.40%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.12%

Gender

female 42.46%

male 57.54%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a retail business manager

Explore retail business manager education requirements

Most common retail business manager degrees

Bachelor's

69.3 %

Associate

13.8 %

Master's

8.6 %

Start to develop specific retail business manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Quality Customer Service	9.98%
Pricing Strategy	9.85%
Cash Handling	6.55%
Cash Management	6.50%
Business Development	6.19%

Complete relevant retail business manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New retail business managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a retail business manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real retail business manager resumes.

Research retail business manager duties and responsibilities

Streamline the company's proposal preparation team are and routinely manage the logistics of preparation of multiple complex government contracting proposals.
Help design user interfaces and management reporting for a propose POS system.
Ensure POS material are displayed to maximize information for the retail customer.
Streamline the company's proposal preparation team are and routinely manage the logistics of preparation of multiple complex government contracting proposals.

Apply for retail business manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a retail business manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do retail business managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

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1 star

Retail business manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022

Pros

I have leadership skills I always hire employees who like to work in a team I like to see sales increase and love to see the best customer service is given

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020

Cons

I don't like it when moral is low and nothing seems to perk employees up to become more productive at work.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019