How long does it take to become a store manager?

It takes between four and six years on average to become a store manager. A person does not need to have a bachelor's degree to become a store manager. However, some higher-end stores might require one. It can also help a person become a store manager more quickly if they have a four-year degree in business administration or management. Many store managers, however, work their way up into the position. Since many retail organizations promote from within, it can serve a person well to start in a lower position and work their way up toward store manager. On average, if a person starts as a Cashier or a Retail Salesperson, they will have to work for a few years before they will be considered for the Sales Manager position. During this time, they should exhibit leadership qualities and an eagerness to learn. It can also help to try to work a variety of positions within the first few years so that when you are being considered for the role of a store manager, you can exhibit a higher degree of knowledge about the operations of the store.

Is a store manager a good career?

Yes, being a store manager is a good career. For people who excel in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts, this is a very satisfying career option. Individuals who are results-oriented and have good communication skills will especially find becoming a store manager a good career. This is because this position is the go-to person who helps lower-level employees be successful and resolves complex customer issues. While being a store manager can be stressful, there are a lot of aspects of the job that makes it a good career option. The constantly changing everyday environment means there are always new challenges to resolve, so it is a very engaging career. It also pays well, and someone can move into the role without needing a bachelor's degree. All of the above aspects of a career as a store manager make it a very good option for people with the right personality traits to thrive.

What qualifications do you need to be a store manager?

The primary qualifications to become a store manager are having diverse experience in retail environments and demonstrated leadership skills. Some companies may require a bachelor's degree in business administration or management, but most prefer hands-on experience. Store managers oversee everything that makes a store work, from behind-the-scenes functions (like buying and inventory) to the sales floor and customer service. Because of this, common qualifications for becoming a store manager are leadership and interpersonal skills . Other common qualifications to become a successful store manager include: Results-oriented Patient Cheerful Good communicator Professional Good listener Strong negotiator All of these traits are generally considered when hiring for a store manager. The more a person can demonstrate that they possess these qualifications, the higher their chance of being hired into the position. It is also useful to take various educational courses and achieve professional certifications to show dedication to the career as a store manager and to build the traits and qualifications needed to enter into the role.

How to Become A Store Manager: Step by Step Guide And Career Paths

What is a Store Manager

An important job for store managers is to attract customers into their stores through new strategies. They also have sales goals that they must meet each month and can achieve those goals through training, motivating, mentoring, and giving feedback to their staff.

A store manager's goal is to make sure every customer is satisfied with the customer service they received. The saying, "every customer is right," is definitely not a factual statement, but it's a store manager's motto.

All of these responsibilities lead up to something greater. That's right, 45-50 hour work weeks. Someone has to stay late and make sure the store is perfectly ready for the next day. Typically, this won't be a high stress job, unless it's the holidays or a tax-free weekend. Did someone say Black Friday shopping? Good luck!

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a Store Manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.78 an hour? That's $45,307 a year!

Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 150,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

What Does a Store Manager Do

There are certain skills that many Store Managers have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed Communication skills, Leadership skills and Management skills.

Learn more about what a Store Manager does

How To Become a Store Manager

If you're interested in becoming a Store Manager, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 47.9% of Store Managers have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 3.6% of Store Managers have master's degrees. Even though most Store Managers have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a Store Manager. When we researched the most common majors for a Store Manager, we found that they most commonly earn Bachelor's Degree degrees or Associate Degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on Store Manager resumes include High School Diploma degrees or Diploma degrees.

You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a Store Manager. In fact, many Store Manager jobs require experience in a role such as Assistant Manager. Meanwhile, many Store Managers also have previous career experience in roles such as Assistant Store Manager or Sales Associate.

What is the right job for my career path?

Tell us your goals and we'll match you with the right jobs to get there.


Logan Carpenter Store Manager Contact Information Charlotte, NC (620) 555-6707 lcarpenter@example.com Skills Emergency Corporate Office Customer Service Financial Statements Management Training Program Procedures Regional Accounts C-Level Successful Business Quickbooks


Employment History Store Manager2011 - Present Family Dollar Charlotte, NC make out the nightly deposit and handle money every morning Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service. Implemented and lead loss prevention initiative resulting in reduced company loss by approx. Construct action plans when sales associates need performance improvements or disciplinary actions. Develop and train retail sales team members by conducting daily sales observations, weekly report card sessions and weekly sales meetings. Set and exceeded sales goals and expectations by 10% annually in a challenging economy Sales Manager2005 - 2011 Sprint Charlotte, NC Managed new revenue growth, life-cycle management & customer service agreements. Act as a model for team members, teaching and coaching on the sales floor. Marketed Sprint's core product portfolio: Frame Relay, Dedicated Internet Services, Dedicated and Switched Voice Services. Provided exceptional customer service and relationship management. Managed two direct and five indirect reports. Account Executive2004 - 2005 IBM Atlanta, GA Recruited, developed and mentored six business development and pre-sales FTE's in the program. Lead and coach a team of three business development executives in transition into newly formed F&A Solutions sales team. Excel under a high volume environment insuring customer satisfaction, solution selling and achievement of sales goals. Gained entry to President's Club for posting 15% YOY revenue growth over an extended period. Management Trainee2003 - 2004 Enterprise Holdings Atlanta, GA Engaged in customer service, maximizing car sales, management process, and inter branch communications as a valuable team member. Provided the best customer service (highest ESQI score) in company history at DIA. Achieved sales elite status consecutively for 7 months. Education Bachelor's Degree Business2000 - 2003 San Jose State University San Jose, CA


Johnny Marshall Store Manager Contact Info Kansas City, MO (470) 555-1307 jmarshall@example.com Skills Scheduling Appointments Personal Style Retail Sales Action Plans Guest Service POS Legal Rights Greeting Customers LOD Product Knowledge Employment History Store Manager2020 - Present AutoZoneKansas City, MO Meet all individual and group sales goals Help develop and promote sales associates to new store managers Designed and delivered training for new store managers. Owned performance management and growth/retaining talent among direct reports and associates. Disposed of damaged or defective items and oversaw return procedures. Shift Leader2015 - 2020 H&R BlockKansas City, MO Ensured store appearance in compliance with ongoing marketing programs and company standards. Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines. Open close cashier make sandwiches prep clean customer service basically any and everything that needed to be done Receptionist2011 - 2015 H&R BlockKansas City, MO Assist customers in tax prep, scheduling appointments, etc. Greet clients Scheduling appointments Taking phone calls Filing tax returns Take payments Maintenance Stylist2006 - 2011 Francesca's HoldingsAustin, TX Worked Cash-out counter Helped customers with current styles for special occasions Organized the boutique Operated computer POS and cash register to process sales. Answered phones, shipped orders to customers, and helped to maintain the inventory accuracy on the POS system. Education Certificate General Studies2005 - 2006 Texas A&M University - Central TexasKilleen, TX


Kathryn Taylor Store Manager Hodgkins, IL (440) 555-2212 ktaylor@example.com Experience Store Manager2015 - Present CVS Health•Hodgkins, IL Excelled in the area of loss prevention-developed the process for monitoring of weekly/monthly script inventories to capture losses. Advanced knowledge of Automotive parts, Team Member Management, Scheduling Systems, and Advance Auto Parts computer software. Supervisor2010 - 2015 United Parcel Service•Hodgkins, IL Provided 1-on-1 training on proper work-methods and safety procedures. Developed and implemented safety procedures which resulted in increased company efficiency and productivity. Dispatch of outgoing Trucks.Competent use of the computer systems at UPS: Excel, Word, Microsoft Office. Trained, enforced, and supervised safety procedures in accordance with Company, OSHA, and DOT guidelines. Administrative Assistant2007 - 2010 American Red Cross•Saint Louis, MO Created written, oral and PowerPoint reports. Maintained office files, supervised office procedures, and ordered supplies. Participated in bi-monthly conference calls.Updated National Shelter Database Compile, sort and verify the accuracy of data before it is entered. Utilized automated systems to enter student information into the certification database. Sales Assistant2006 - 2007 J. C. Penney•Wauwatosa, WI Assisted customers with their purchases as a cashier and provided custome service on the sales floor. Cash handling Displayed shoe department/cleaningTop female commission sales in department Provide prompt and courteous service to all customers Utilize product knowledge to promote sales. Assist customers on sales floor and by phone. Uphold high standards and followed all company policies and procedures including loss prevention. Skills ProceduresTravel ArrangementsProduct KnowledgeEnsure ComplianceWord ProcessingVIPCommunicationConfidential InformationDatabaseTravel Authorizations Education High School Diploma 2006 - 2006


Ronald Dunn Store Manager Employment History Store Manager2013 - Present Family DollarAtlanta, GA Bank deposits, as well as maintaining safe. Oversee loss prevention efforts by maintaining a presence in the store and providing excellent customer service. Selected to go to two other DG stores to help turn around the store inventory and train new store manager. Make sure the stock room is organized for accuracy and efficiency. Supervisor2012 - 2013 StarbucksAustin, TX Supported new store opening operations to include: Trained Baristas on Company Policies and Standards, including safety and cash handling. Developed sales goals for new stores. Ensured areas of ownership are in compliance with productivity goals and company standards. Administrative Assistant2002 - 2012 IBMAustin, TX Received all telephone calls and directed as where necessary. Lead secretary in Graphics/Word Processing Center. Performed broad variety of administrative tasks for senior management team of 5. Operated a large word processing center. Sales Assistant2001 - 2002 Marriott InternationalAtlanta, GA Received personal accolades for promoting store credit cards while consistently attaining daily sales goals. Maintain an awareness of all product knowledge information, merchandise promotions, test merchandise and advertisements. Access and analyze retail sales data. Assist customers on the sales floor, including personalized bra fittings for female patrons. Placed daily sales calls/general customer service; prominent warehouse experience. Education High School Diploma 2001 - 2001


Contact Information Atlanta, GA (530) 555-1036 rdunn@example.com Skills Room Blocks Product Knowledge Safety Training CPR Office Procedures Sales Intern Stock Room Background Checks Company Goals Taking Messages


Benjamin West Store Manager Overland Park, KS (860) 555-7859 bwest@example.com Skills Retail SalesSuccessful BusinessHuman ResourcesManagement Training ProgramLoss PreventionInternship ProgramSales PersonnelDirect SupervisionSales ProcessOnline


Employment History Store Manager2020 - Present Sprint•Overland Park, KS Retail Sales Lead Sprint PCS, Milpitas, CA Increased store productivity by 20% year over year. Oversee all merchandising, inventory control, cash handling, and sales floor activities. Led store to a Loss Prevention Audit score of 96/100. Sales Manager2018 - 2020 Kum & Go•Ames, IA Analyzed operating/sales reports and made recommendations for improvements. stock, sales rep,customer service, cashier, Account Executive2012 - 2018 United Parcel Service•Atlanta, GA Walked new customers through the problem-solving process, assisting with issues such as reports and communication issues. Exceeded the sales revenue growth goal by 359% for 2009. Reached goal in six months and was promoted to a Key Account Executive Management Trainee (Part-Time)2010 - 2012 Walgreen Co•Marion, IN Acquired relationship practices between pharmacy/staff & customers to ensure effective communication. Provided customer service including refunds and exchanges, & assisting with complaints/problems. Encourage teamwork by coordinating workflow and resolving conflict through open channels of communication and motivation. Delegated specific tasks to the strength of employee Provided Customer Service and ensured employees complied with company customer service best practices. Education Bachelor's Degree Business2009 - 2012 Indiana Wesleyan University•Marion, IN