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.

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.

What are careers in retail management?

Store director, district manager, and buyer are all careers in retail management. Although they all do include retail management, there are different focuses and skills that will appeal to different people and personalities. Store Director A store director is in charge of overseeing all business operations for a single store. Their role often revolves around setting goals and making strategies to achieve these goals. They spend most of their workdays in the same location, which means they are able to develop strong professional relationships with other employees around them. District Manager District managers will oversee all business operations for a number of stores within a particular region. This job often revolves around working with store directors, who will then work with their teams to achieve certain goals or markers. There is often consistent travel involved with being a district manager. Buyer Buyers are responsible for purchasing goods for a company to use and sell at their own company. This position often requires you to work with suppliers directly to make sales. You will often need to speak with district managers to understand the needs of individual stores and regions.

What degree do you need to be a store manager?

You need an associate's degree in business to be a store manager. Many store managers also have a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. While in school, you should take courses associated with business management and operations, as well as some classes that deal with finance and economics, for good measure.

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.

What is a store manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Steve Wages Ph.D.,

Kerem Cakirer Ph.D.

A store manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a store. This includes managing staff, ensuring customer satisfaction, and meeting sales goals. They are responsible for hiring and training employees, creating work schedules, and managing inventory. Store managers must also maintain a safe and clean environment for both employees and customers. They work closely with other managers in the company to develop sales strategies and marketing campaigns.

What general advice would you give to a Store Manager?

Steve Wages Ph.D.

Director, Cloverdale Center for Youth and Family, Faulkner University

As soon as possible, establish a formal mentoring relationship with someone who is seasoned in pastoral counseling. Generally, the research demonstrates that the performance of employees with mentors is of a higher quality, they advance in their responsibilities and careers faster, and they avoid common mistakes exhibited by other employees. Establish short-term goals (6 months) for your position and a plan for overcoming obstacles; then ask your mentor to hold you accountable for implementing your plan. As part of your self-care. you also need to be proactive in developing a few close friendships, perhaps including colleagues, who can be a source of emotional support and encouragement to you personally.

You should be confident in your training while also being realistic and transparent about your limitations. There is still a lot that you do not know and much you will learn with experience. Until then, be willing to say "I don't know" when faced with problems you have not addressed before. Then commit to learning more about the issue through personal study and/or consulting with a more experienced colleague or mentor. In some cases, you may need to invite a more experienced counselor to meet with a client or where appropriate refer them to someone else.

You need to equip yourself to address structural changes to the delivery of pastoral care and counseling as a consequence of the pandemic. You will need to adapt to providing pastoral counseling virtually perhaps via Zoom sessions. Give thought as to how the virtual context impacts the counseling process and the spiritual resources you employ. For example, if you are comfortable praying with a client in your office, will you be equally inclined to pray with them online or over a phone. In light of the pandemic, Dr. Chuck Lawless noted, "Good pastoral care has required being more proactive than reactive." Ordinarily, pastoral counselors are reactive in that they respond to needs when they hear about them or when they are

ScoreStore ManagerUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $46,950

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

9.6

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.34%

Black or African American 6.15%

Hispanic or Latino 15.08%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.63%

Gender

female 48.78%

male 51.22%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress Level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.2

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

3.6

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Store Manager?

Pros

Potential for high salary and bonuses
Employee discounts
Ability to shape store culture and atmosphere
Opportunity to develop business acumen
Ability to influence sales and profitability

Cons

Long hours (including weekends and holidays)
High stress environment, especially during peak seasons
Responsibility for store performance and meeting sales targets
Dealing with inventory shortages or damage
Balancing administrative tasks with customer service needs

Key steps to become a store manager

Explore store manager education requirements

Most common store manager degrees

Bachelor's

47.9 %

Associate

21.9 %

High School Diploma

19.5 %

Start to develop specific store manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Store Management	8.14%
Retail Store	5.00%
Customer Service	4.84%
PET	4.72%
Loss Prevention	4.65%

Complete relevant store manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New store managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a store manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real store manager resumes.

Gain additional store manager certifications

Store manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific store manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for store managers include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Food Safety Manager Certification.

More About Certifications

Research store manager duties and 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.

Prepare your store manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your store manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a store manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Store Manager Resume templates

Build a professional Store Manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Store Manager resume.

Apply for store manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a store manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do store managers rate their job?

5/5

Based On 3 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Store Manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022

Pros

Helping my stores and employees achieve there goals

Cons

Only one day off no time for family

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022

Pros

I have leadership skills I always hire employees who like to work in a team I like to see sales increase and love to see the best customer service is given

Cons

In reality, i do not complain as its who i am

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020

Pros

Ability to resolve issues, timely delivery on goals and mantainance of inter personal relationship and organizing.

Cons

Insurbordination, failure to deliver on tasks and targets.

What is a store manager and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a Store Manager?

What are the pros and cons of being a Store Manager?

Store Manager career paths

Key steps to become a store manager

Explore store manager education requirements

Most common store manager degrees

Start to develop specific store manager skills

Complete relevant store manager training and internships

Gain additional store manager certifications

Research store manager duties and responsibilities

Prepare your store manager resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Store Manager Resume templates

Apply for store manager jobs

How Did You Land Your First Store Manager Job

Average store manager salary

How do store managers rate their job?

Store Manager reviews

Store Manager FAQs

How long does it take to become a store manager?

Is a store manager a good career?

What are careers in retail management?

What degree do you need to be a store manager?

What qualifications do you need to be a store manager?

Search for store manager jobs

Store Manager jobs by state