An Education in Retail Management
An education and degree in retail management can provide you with the knowledge and skills to be a successful sales supervisor within the retail industry. As a retail manager you are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation and success of a retail store. Retail managers oversee the hiring and firing of employees, manage daily cash flow and employee payroll, and are responsible for inventory. Retail managers also handle customer service inquires and disputes when escalated. For these reasons, a successful retail manager should be patient, a decision-maker, sales-oriented, motivated, have excellent customer service skills, and be a strong team player.
Retail Management Careers
In addition to retail management, there are a number of career paths available to the retail management program graduate, including:
- Fashion Administrator
- Fashion Manager
- Retail Administrator
Common courses in a retail management degree program include:
- Management and Leadership
- Marketing and Sales
- Human Resource Management
- Organizational Communication
- Finance and Accounting
Many begin their careers as salespersons, cashiers, or customer service representatives, where they learn merchandising, customer communication, and the basic policies and procedures. Work hours of retail managers vary greatly by company but are generally at least 40 hours a week.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for retail managers is expected to grow more slowly than average--job opportunities may increase by 5 percent through 2018. The median annual salary for retail managers was $35,310, including commissions, in May 2008.