What does a retail management internship do?
A Retail Management Internship is a work experience offered by employers for students or graduates to gain exposure in the retail operations of a company. Their duties include assisting in developing marketing campaigns, conceptualizing electronic direct mail ideas, creating social media content, and undertaking report follow-ups. They act as liaisons with event vendors, update marketing calendar, prepare sales report, shadow store managers, and conduct store visits regularly. Retail Management Intern help assists in carrying out market research, sales promotion strategies, visual merchandising, and mall management communication.
Retail management internship responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real retail management internship resumes:
- Manage internal marketing programs including telemarketing and email campaigns to increase customer activity.
- Shadow department manager to develop leadership and management skill sets.
- Attend meetings with regional leadership and training seminars focuse on various management topics.
- Used POS and handle money on a regular basis.
- Expose to a variety of management responsibilities including talent management and interviewing, scheduling, reporting, and business writing.
- Perform all the daily duties of a Walgreens manager which include daily and weekly projects.
Retail management internship skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Retail Management Interns are proficient in Retail Management, Sales Floor, and First Hand. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Retail Management Interns that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Retail Management, 17%
Supported and assisted retail management staff in new store set-up's, picks and retail close-out's.
- Sales Floor, 17%
Learned the art and business of the sale through hands-on experience on the sales floor and classroom training.
- First Hand, 11%
Entrusted to recruit potential sales associates Assisted in implementing amendments to key job descriptions via first hand knowledge of training.
- Retail Operations, 6%
Retail Operations Management, Customer Service
- Internship Program, 5%
Participated in one of the top five internship programs in the country.
- Management Meetings, 5%
Worked closely with department managers and other interns on assigned projects and attended management meetings and training seminars.
Common skills that a retail management internship uses to do their job include "retail management," "sales floor," and "first hand." You can find details on the most important retail management internship responsibilities below.
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a retail management internship to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what retail management interns do because "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services." Additionally, a retail management internship resume shows how retail management interns use interpersonal skills: "mastered the art of fashion retail sales, polished interpersonal skills with focuses on customer service and sustainable client relationship building. "
Problem-solving skills. Many retail management internship duties rely on problem-solving skills. "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems," so a retail management internship will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways retail management internship responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "proposed business solutions to management to communicate opportunities and innovative ideas. "
Time-management skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of retail management interns is time-management skills. This skill is critical to many everyday retail management internship duties, as "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "utilized time management skills to complete all job tasks successfully before deadlines. "
Analytical skills. retail management internship responsibilities often require "analytical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." This resume example shows what retail management interns do with analytical skills on a typical day: "analyzed and monitored daily store operations through various department perspectives. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for retail management internship responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of retail management interns all the time, as "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." An excerpt from a real retail management internship resume shows how this skill is central to what a retail management internship does: "devised new strategies to improve customer relations devised new strategies to improve productivity highly recognized for superior communication and organizational skills"
The three companies that hire the most retail management internships are:
- Menards62 retail management interns jobs
- Kwik Trip25 retail management interns jobs
- Walgreens14 retail management interns jobs
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Compare different retail management interns
Retail management internship vs. Sales leader
A Sales Leader's responsibility is more than just leading. Most of the tasks involve monitoring the progress of sales, creating strategies to attain financial gains, managing the workforce, and as well as suggesting and enforcing particular options that would be beneficial for the sales and the company. All while making sure that all actions adhere to the policies and standards of the company. Above all, a Sale's Leader must have the passion and determination to drive a team towards the company's goal.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between retail management interns and sales leader. For instance, retail management internship responsibilities require skills such as "retail management," "first hand," "retail operations," and "internship program." Whereas a sales leader is skilled in "customer satisfaction," "store associates," "drive sales," and "cash handling." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, sales leaders reach similar levels of education than retail management interns. Sales leaders are 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Retail management internship vs. Key holder
A keyholder is responsible for ensuring the store's daily security before and after the operation. Keyholders' duties include assisting with administrative tasks, handling customers' inquiries, managing and escalating customers' complaints, monitoring the alarm system, keeping track of the deliveries, supporting staff training, cooperating in company's events, and recommending operational strategies to meet business goals and objectives. A keyholder must have excellent customer service and time-management skills, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially during high customer volume.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that retail management internship responsibilities requires skills like "retail management," "first hand," "retail operations," and "internship program." But a key holder might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "visual standards," "bank deposits," "store sales," and "cleanliness."
Key holders earn a lower average salary than retail management interns. But key holders earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $30,477. Additionally, retail management interns earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $39,828 annually.key holders earn similar levels of education than retail management interns in general. They're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Retail management internship vs. Sales lead/sales associate
Sales lead and sales associates are two different sales positions in the retail industry. A sales lead is in charge of supervising the sales department. Sales leads perform administrative duties like recruiting and training staff, monitoring inventories, and maintaining sales performance. On the other hand, sales associates guide potential customers to acquire the products or services that fit their needs. The associates notify clients of sales promotions then present to them the product or service. Employees for these positions are looking for candidates with relevant experience in sales and related degrees like marketing and sales.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from retail management internship resumes include skills like "retail management," "first hand," "retail operations," and "internship program," whereas a sales lead/sales associate is more likely to list skills in "cash control," "bank deposits," "sales transactions," and "customer satisfaction. "
Sales lead/sales associates earn the highest salary when working in the retail industry, where they receive an average salary of $30,271. Comparatively, retail management interns have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $39,828.When it comes to education, sales lead/sales associates tend to earn similar degree levels compared to retail management interns. In fact, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Retail management internship vs. Sales supervisor
A sales supervisor is an individual who is responsible for the daily activities of sales representatives in promoting and selling a product by phone or email. He/She needs to track the weekly and monthly performances of his/her sales representatives. The minimum requirement of being a sales supervisor is a high school diploma. However, he/she is required to have two years of working experience. One of the skills required of a sales supervisor is to have the ability to multitask and time management.
Types of retail management internship
Updated January 8, 2025
