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Store leader vs store manager

The differences between store leaders and store managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a store leader and a store manager. Additionally, a store manager has an average salary of $46,950, which is higher than the $36,979 average annual salary of a store leader.

The top three skills for a store leader include POS, sales floor and product knowledge. The most important skills for a store manager are store management, retail store, and customer service.

Store leader vs store manager overview

Store LeaderStore Manager
Yearly salary$36,979$46,950
Hourly rate$17.78$22.57
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs363,806446,127
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4344
Years of experience66

What does a store leader do?

Store Leaders are employees in a company's retail outlet. They manage everything related to the store. Store leaders manage the store's employees. They are directly involved in hiring, training, and even firing employees. Store Leaders oversee the store's performance. They ensure that the store does well. They also ensure that the store's sales meet the company's target. Store Leaders also manage the inventory. They create purchase requisitions for items that are low in stock. Store Leaders are also in charge of preparing store-related reports. These reports will be presented to the company's management team. Store leaders analyze the data they gather and ensure that their analysis is sound.

What does a store manager do?

A store manager is responsible for monitoring the daily operations, making sure of its smooth and efficient performance with the best services provided to the customers. Store managers' duty also includes tracking the budget of the store to ensure that all expenses are meeting the sales goals. A store manager must also be able to plan and share strategies to boost sales performance and provide the needed support for the employees by communicating with them regularly, listening on suggestions, and taking necessary actions for complaints as required.

Store leader vs store manager salary

Store leaders and store managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Store LeaderStore Manager
Average salary$36,979$46,950
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $48,000Between $30,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateRhode IslandDelaware
Best paying companyMicrosoftMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between store leader and store manager education

There are a few differences between a store leader and a store manager in terms of educational background:

Store LeaderStore Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiUniversity of Pennsylvania

Store leader vs store manager demographics

Here are the differences between store leaders' and store managers' demographics:

Store LeaderStore Manager
Average age4344
Gender ratioMale, 46.5% Female, 53.5%Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%10%

Differences between store leader and store manager duties and responsibilities

Store leader example responsibilities.

  • Lead peers in troubleshooting replenishment processes and achieving KPI improvements.
  • Achieve YTD payroll by $15,250 FY 2013.
  • Partner with STL (store team leader) to increase sales, manage margins and review annual budget.
  • Achieve the number one spot in the district for YTD payroll, RedCard conversion, and improvements on gross margin.
  • Assist store leadership in effectively leading, managing and developing store and/or department operations and associates to maximize sales and profitability.
  • Engage and assist customers directly and over the phone; utilize POS machines and work customer service desk as needed.
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Store manager example responsibilities.

  • Store achieve highest UPT in company for FY11.
  • Assist the DM and help to manage the district in her absence.
  • Manage the store's inventory with GNC guidelines; receiving, checking and shelving all merchandising orders.
  • Train and develop to manage multi-unit operations.
  • Create implementation plans to support execution of Starbucks initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results.
  • Develop and implement operational strategies utilizing less payroll expenses and allot hour usage to accomplish logistical and operational excellence.
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Store leader vs store manager skills

Common store leader skills
  • POS, 12%
  • Sales Floor, 9%
  • Product Knowledge, 7%
  • Excellent Guest, 5%
  • Bank Deposits, 5%
  • Employee Development, 5%
Common store manager skills
  • Store Management, 8%
  • Retail Store, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • PET, 5%
  • Loss Prevention, 5%
  • Sales Floor, 4%