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Retail sales manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Adry S. Clark Ph.D.,
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.
Retail sales manager example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical retail sales manager skills. We ranked the top skills for retail sales managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.8% of retail sales manager resumes contained retail sales as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a retail sales manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 retail sales manager skills for your resume and career

1. Retail Sales

Retail sales are the method to track consumer demand for finished goods by assessing the purchases of durable and non-durable products over a definite period. Data on retail sales is accumulated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Here's how retail sales managers use retail sales:
  • Developed and implemented lesson training guides for Retail Sales Consultants, Greeter Sales Representatives and Records Clerks for CenturyTel Corporation.
  • Maintained staffing levels, coached retail sales associates and certified service technicians to ensure smooth operations and consistent customer interactions.

2. Store Operations

Here's how retail sales managers use store operations:
  • Directed daily store operations sales, verified vendor invoice information was accurate upon deliveries.
  • Maintain final accountability for store operations, partner development and financial contribution.

3. Store Sales

Here's how retail sales managers use store sales:
  • Achieved profitable store sales by fostering a customer focused retail selling culture through attaining sales goals and positive year-on-year improvement.
  • Retail Coverage Manager Acosta is a national in-store sales, marketing and service company focused on the grocery retail area.

4. Retail Store

Here's how retail sales managers use retail store:
  • Directed operational and administrative management of an employee group consisting of 15 sales representatives in a retail store location.
  • Trained retail store personnel on company products, services, reconciliation/administration of sales, financial and credit information.

5. Product Knowledge

Product knowledge is the skill of having better information and knowledge about the product you are selling. Product knowledge is essential for the employees of the companies so they can communicate and inform the customers about the product. Having great product knowledge is essential for a better sales pitch and to give the customer a better and complete idea of the product that will influence him to buy the product eventually.

Here's how retail sales managers use product knowledge:
  • Trained and developed sales staff with product knowledge with exceptional customer service experience and customer retention.
  • Developed product knowledge training for team member to enhance their overall productivity.

6. Sales Associates

Here's how retail sales managers use sales associates:
  • Organized group meetings for sales associates to increase their involvement and commitment to our business model and providing extraordinary customer service.
  • Facilitated training and workshops for sales associates on regulatory and corporate operational policies/procedures, resulting in an increased employee retention rate.

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7. POS

POS is an abbreviation of "Point of Sale" which is the time and place where a customer completes a transaction. It can either be a physical shop that consists of POS terminals or a virtual shop. A POS system helps simplify the retail functions and track important sales data.

Here's how retail sales managers use pos:
  • Managed and fostered Distributor partnerships and executing distribution strategies, managing POS inventory and implementing national programming and chain ad activity.
  • Developed inventory structure, pricing tiers and inventory accountability exclusively with new POS System.

8. Loss Prevention

The steps taken by a business to prevent theft is called loss prevention. There are multiple methods for loss prevention for example usage of automated cash handling, secure physical location, product security staff buy-in, and attentive customer service.

Here's how retail sales managers use loss prevention:
  • Assisted security in the apprehension of shoplifters-resulting in an increase in apprehensions and reduction in loss prevention.
  • Assist in loss prevention through awareness, attention to detail and integrity and effective inventory management.

9. Excellent Interpersonal

Here's how retail sales managers use excellent interpersonal:
  • Provided excellent interpersonal and communication to customers of T-Mobile's products, features and plans.
  • Backed by excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to costumer service.

10. Standard Operating Procedure

Here's how retail sales managers use standard operating procedure:
  • Follow all Standard Operating Procedures ensuring maximum security and protection of all customers and company assets.
  • Executed operations in line with standard operating procedures and coach staff on operating disciplines.

11. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how retail sales managers use payroll:
  • Managed day-to-day operations that included: Inventory, Payroll Processing, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Fiscal Reporting Marketing and Quality Control.
  • Maintained time reporting, payroll and negotiated contractor bids for temporary hire/outsourcing.

12. Sales Performance

Here's how retail sales managers use sales performance:
  • Assisted in preparing statistical data and reports from daily sales performance results per established guidelines.
  • Delivered sales presentation and visual demonstration throughout the district to maximize sales performance.

13. Retail Environment

A retail environment can be defined as the environment in which things are sold on a commercial scale. It is the sum of the variables and forces inside and outside the company that can influence retail decisions. Businesses in this sector sell a wide range of products to consumers and companies, ranging from groceries, clothing, hardware, household items, and office supplies.

Here's how retail sales managers use retail environment:
  • Managed a team of salespeople inside a retail environment selling vacation packages and collecting leads for prospective time-share participants.
  • Managed multiple retail environments starting with low performing locations and executing to exceed quota expectations.

14. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how retail sales managers use customer service:
  • Communicated accurately with customer service manager and technicians to establish time commitments that meet Firestone standards and exceed customer requirements.
  • Form and develop rapport with customers in order to establish enduring relationships by providing an exceptional customer service experience.

15. Ladders

Here's how retail sales managers use ladders:
  • Recognized for excellent customer relationship and sales by reaching 1st and 2nd place on top seller list for Little Giant Ladders.
  • Utilized forklift, order picker reach truck, electric ladder, or roll ladders to transfer merchandise to the sales floor.
top-skills

What skills help Retail Sales Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on retail sales manager resumes?

Adry S. Clark Ph.D.Adry S. Clark Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director, Western Oregon University

The skills that stand out on resumes fall into two categories: 1) Skills required to do the job and 2) Skills almost all employers look for. The most important aspect of resumes is to make sure it reflects exactly what the employer needs. Study the job description, identify key skills, and have them reflected on your resume. Think about transferrable skills, not the specific roles you've had.

Most employers look for skills such as communication (written/oral), flexibility, proactivity, problem-solving, project management, and technical. Make sure to cultivate those skills in whatever role you have, and have examples that demonstrate those skills.

What soft skills should all retail sales managers possess?

Andrea Dixon Ph.D.

Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021, Baylor University

Since sales professionals have a lot of information available to them today via customer relationship management (CRM) systems, the sales manager's "supervisory" role is less important (especially for experienced sellers). Consequently, the sales manager needs to be more of a coach and enabler of high performance. Having confidence balanced with humility allows the sales manager to engage more effectively with their salespeople.
One of the critical soft skills for sales managers going forward will be the ability to connect members of the sales team to others in the organization - in other words, the sales manager of the future needs to have strong skills in network building for others. Sellers have access to data which helps them build success.
They also need access to the right people to turn to when they need specific expertise or assistance.

What hard/technical skills are most important for retail sales managers?

Andrea Dixon Ph.D.

Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021, Baylor University

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 retail sales manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kerri OrdersKerri Orders LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Business, Aquinas College

In terms of a gap year, I recommend that international business students acquire tangible skills, relevant experience and/or certifications which will enhance their success in their desired area of interest. For example, a gap year could consist of gaining technical or digital training overseas, which would also further the students' cultural intelligence and language proficiency. These types of enriching gap year experiences will assist students to distinguish themselves in a highly competitive market. Furthermore, students should focus on broadening and maintaining their global network during a gap year in order to be ready for the job market once the gap year is concluded.

What type of skills will young retail sales managers need?

Peter Johnson DPSPeter Johnson DPS LinkedIn profile

Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing Academic Director of MS in Marketing Intelligence, Fordham University

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

What technical skills for a retail sales manager stand out to employers?

Joseph HancockJoseph Hancock LinkedIn profile

Research Professor, Program Director, Former Retail Operations Manager, Drexel University, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

Technologically savvy is necessary, so what will set you apart are your soft skills, patience, the ability to think beyond yourself. Again, don't be ethnocentric, be multi-centric. I believe technology only exposes us to a virtual world of acceptance, and really if you are going to be sales, you need to be cultured beyond the computer and social media. Understand others and their needs, be a person who tells the potential employer how you are going to go the extra mile to care for customers and make sure their needs are met through your excellent customers service skills (and give solid examples). Most importantly, know what you are selling and realize that the person you are talking to, might know more than you! There have been so many times I walk into a retail store only to have the store associate or manager talk to me as if I know nothing about the product they are selling. Ask your customers questions do not just talk at them, talk with them.

List of retail sales manager skills to add to your resume

Retail sales manager skills

The most important skills for a retail sales manager resume and required skills for a retail sales manager to have include:

  • Retail Sales
  • Store Operations
  • Store Sales
  • Retail Store
  • Product Knowledge
  • Sales Associates
  • POS
  • Loss Prevention
  • Excellent Interpersonal
  • Standard Operating Procedure
  • Payroll
  • Sales Performance
  • Retail Environment
  • Customer Service
  • Ladders
  • Sales Growth
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Inventory Control
  • Retail Operations
  • Origination
  • Performance Reviews
  • Physical Inventories
  • Sales Floor
  • Customer Complaints
  • Cash Handling
  • Direct Reports
  • Sales Training
  • Human Resources
  • Basic Math
  • Cash Receipts
  • Performance Management
  • Sales Targets
  • Brand Awareness
  • Sales Results
  • Customer Relations
  • Customer Retention
  • Sales Strategies
  • Sales Quota
  • Retail Locations
  • Sales Objectives
  • Giveaways
  • Sales Reps
  • Store Locations
  • Customer Issues
  • Store Training
  • Sales Techniques
  • Inventory Management
  • Store Appearance
  • Sales Reports

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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