Store manager trainee vs retail sales manager

The differences between store managers trainee and retail sales managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a store manager trainee, becoming a retail sales manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a store manager trainee has an average salary of $67,389, which is higher than the $48,678 average annual salary of a retail sales manager.

The top three skills for a store manager trainee include store management, training programs and human resources. The most important skills for a retail sales manager are retail sales, store operations, and store sales.

Store manager trainee vs retail sales manager overview

	Store Manager Trainee	Retail Sales Manager
Yearly salary	$67,389	$48,678
Hourly rate	$32.40	$23.40
Growth rate	-	5%
Number of jobs	158,734	353,765
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	43	46
Years of experience	6	8

What does a store manager trainee do?

A store manager trainee is temporarily in charge of performing managerial support tasks while gaining practical experience as preparation for the job position. Their responsibilities include overseeing the daily store operations to learn every procedure, answering calls and correspondence, managing staff schedules, and developing strategies to increase sales and boost customer satisfaction. They must also respond to issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, as a store manager trainee, it is essential to understand and implement the store's policies and regulations.

What does a retail sales manager do?

A retail sales manager is responsible for managing the retail sales department's operations, ensuring the highest customer satisfaction with the staff's efficiency and performance. Retail sales managers develop sales strategies and marketing campaigns to boost revenues, increasing the company's profitability. They also conduct training and programs for staff to maximize their productivity and provide the best customer service for their clients. A retail sales manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, and resolve their complaints.

Store manager trainee vs retail sales manager salary

Store managers trainee and retail sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Store Manager Trainee	Retail Sales Manager
Average salary	$67,389	$48,678
Salary range	Between $51,000 And $88,000	Between $35,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City	Providence, RI	Reno, NV
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	Walmart	Talbots
Best paying industry	Health Care	Manufacturing

Differences between store manager trainee and retail sales manager education

There are a few differences between a store manager trainee and a retail sales manager in terms of educational background:

	Store Manager Trainee	Retail Sales Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi	University of Southern California

Store manager trainee vs retail sales manager demographics

Here are the differences between store managers trainee' and retail sales managers' demographics:

	Store Manager Trainee	Retail Sales Manager
Average age	43	46
Gender ratio	Male, 61.1% Female, 38.9%	Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	7%

Differences between store manager trainee and retail sales manager duties and responsibilities

Store manager trainee example responsibilities.

Manage restaurant for cost, profitability, quality, service, cleanliness, and consistency.
Manage the office including A/R, A/P, balance checking accounts and are responsible for weekly payroll.
Monitor and manage inventory with excel and QuickBooks.
Perform daily deposits, sales reports, A/R and A/P.
Cash management POS opening and closing procedures.
Set up and run facebook page for the store.

Retail sales manager example responsibilities.

Create and lead staff development sessions on solution selling techniques/running effective promotions/POS execution/trade math.
Receive and count new products, reconcile delivery invoices, tickets, and enter new products into POS system.
Complete customer transactions using POS register system.
Deliver consistently strong results in identifying and capitalizing on cross-selling opportunities to advance corporate-define marketing campaigns and effectively increase revenue streams.
Oversee floor day to day operations by obtaining the acquisition of customer accounts and provide superior leadership to team members.
Provide leadership training and coaching with a proven record of accountability

Store manager trainee vs retail sales manager skills

Common store manager trainee skills

Store Management, 14%
Training Programs, 11%
Human Resources, 9%
Inventory Management, 8%
Customer Service, 8%
Loss Prevention, 7%

Common retail sales manager skills

Retail Sales, 13%
Store Operations, 7%
Store Sales, 6%
Retail Store, 5%
Product Knowledge, 5%
Sales Associates, 5%

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Store Manager Trainee
Store Manager Trainee vs Retail Sales Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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