Skills & Competencies for Retail Store Manager

Retail Store Manager job profile

JOB SUMMARY for Retail Store Manager

Manages the day-to-day operations of a retail store.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Retail Store Manager

Has responsibility of staffing, store compliance, inventory management, and promotion. Maintains and oversees accuracy of records associated with cash, receipts, inventories, and employee attendance.

Retail Store Manager SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$77,334
TOTAL 50%
$85,580
Job Level
M02
Job Code
SM15000295
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Senior Manager

Retail Store Manager Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Retail Store Manager skill and competencie below to view definitions.

9 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Retail Store Manager

1 Industry Competency – Retail Industry
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Applying comprehensive knowledge of retail principles, inventory management, pricing strategies, and consumer behavior to effectively manage and operate retail businesses.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the application of upselling, cross-selling, and closing sales techniques in retail operations.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Conducts research on current and upcoming distribution channels tailored to a specific product category.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyzes consumer buying patterns and trends to predict product and service demands.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Creates and leverages KPIs to assess the effectiveness of retail sales strategies and promotional methods.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs and executes customer segmentation and personalization techniques to deliver tailored marketing promotions.
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2 Industry Competency – Merchandising
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Strategically planning, executing, and managing product merchandising, pricing, and promotions to increase customer engagement and maximize revenue.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Defines the legal and ethical considerations for merchandising, such as product labeling requirements.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in arranging product assortments and displays to optimize space and enhance brand visibility.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Conducts regular store visits to ensure proper product allocation, replenishment, and pricing.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Creates and leverages performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of merchandising strategies.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions the adoption of advanced analytics and predictive modeling tools to optimize inventory turnover.
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3 Retail Store Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Retail Store Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Retail Store Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

4 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Retail Store Manager

1 Job Family Competencies – Compliance Management
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Developing and managing compliance tools and processes to ensure employees and operations adhered to laws, regulations, and requirements.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Compiles a list of departmental goals, standards, policies, and compliance management procedures.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Collects risk management information in compliance with all department protocols.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Handles the preparation and documentation of compliance reports to maintain timely review for the management.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Coordinates with senior management to identify and resolve emerging compliance management issues.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Creates training programs for employees to keep abreast with compliance programs and regulatory changes.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Promotion
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Developing and implementing promotional activities to attract and increase the awareness of customers in buying products.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the significance of brand image development to promotion efforts.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Documents information needed for promotional activities such as product details and features.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Generates reports that outline customers’ interest levels and questions asked at various events.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads market research studies and evaluates findings to understand customer and market opportunities.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Creates engaging promotions including deals to encourage target market purchases.
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3 Retail Store Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Retail Store Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Retail Store Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

12 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Retail Store Manager

1 Core Competencies – Financial Acumen
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Obtaining financial information and applying financial understanding to foster sound judgment and correct business decisions.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the differences between bookkeeping and accounting.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Applies techniques to maximize profit and minimize losses that affect our business's financial status.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Handles challenges and unexpected budgetary issues and adheres to corporate policies.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Develops clear financial vision to guide employees in achieving organizational purpose and goals.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Creates strategies to reach critical financial goals and business objectives.
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2 Core Competencies – Budgeting
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Applying specific policies, tools and practices to plan and prepare projected revenues, expenses, cash flows, and capital expenditures.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the concepts and principles of budgeting operations.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in developing and improving budgeting models, plans, and strategies.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Compares planned budgets vs. actual expenditures, identifies, reports, and explains variances.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Determines system capabilities and needs to improve the process for financial budgeting.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops financial models to support the strategic improvement of our budgeting processes.
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3 Retail Store Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Retail Store Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Retail Store Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Retail Store Manager skills and competencies

There are 9 hard skills for Retail Store Manager, Retail Industry, Merchandising, Retail Operations, etc.
4 general skills for Retail Store Manager, Compliance Management, Promotion, Sales Management, etc.
12 soft skills for Retail Store Manager, Financial Acumen, Budgeting, Planning and Organizing, etc.
While the list totals 25 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Retail Store Manager, he or she needs to be skilled in Financial Acumen, be proficient in Budgeting, and be skilled in Planning and Organizing.

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