“You work in retail?” people ask. “Isn’t that easy?” Ah, if only that were true all the time.
Retail can be an exhausting job that leaves you seriously stressed. You have inventories to organize. Staff to train. Those “never-enough” sales targets you need to meet. The list goes on and on and on.
But, when it comes down to it, you love it. There are some perks to being a retail manager. In fact, there are quite a few. Here’s why being a retail manager is a pretty awesome job.
1. Each day is different
Sure, you’ve heard everyone say this about their job but, in retail, it’s actually true. Think about it: You wake up, go to work and, literally, anything can happen before you get home again.
In the space of just a few hours, a couple of customers might overshare about their personal lives, or you might find out something unexpected about a co-worker. One day, you’re conducting staff performance reviews. The next day, you’re meeting with the general manager. The day after that, you’re decorating window displays.
Retail is a truly dynamic job where anything can happen at a moment’s notice.
2. Sometimes, every day is the same
That’s not to say there won’t be days where nothing happens. There will be quiet periods, of course. The usual window shopper who never buys anything, the toddler having a tantrum next to the checkout line, and the employee who calls in sick. And that’s OK. Take a breathe and enjoy the routine.
3. The discount, obviously
So this one isn’t that important, but it sure helps when it comes to your personal finances. Most big retailers give managers a discount that can range from 5-50 percent, so you can pick up some reduced-price swag.
The most generous employers? Nordstrom gives its managers up to 33 percent off goods, Williams-Sonoma gives 40 percent, and Gap gives a whopping 50 percent.
4. You’re really good at time management
As a retail manager, you know how to juggle vendors, customers, and employees. You probably use the latest software and apps to schedule your team in minutes, and you’re never late for a meeting with the general manager. You’re a master at time management.
5. You learn to think on your feet
Imagine this: A customer walks into your store and demands a particular product that’s out of stock. What do you do? As a retail manager, it’s your job to satisfy this customer, so you might check your inventory and re-order the product. Or you could convince the customer to buy something else. You need to think quickly.
In retail, you’re a salesperson and a negotiator and a counselor all rolled into one. You sell. You meditate. You listen. And sometimes you need to do all of this at the same time.
6. You’ve mastered the art of patience
Before retail, you might not have considered yourself a patient person. But working in this job changed all that. You make sure the customer feels like they’re always right, you keep your employees engaged and happy, and you stay calm when your store isn’t hitting its sales numbers. Keep calm and retail on, as they say.
7. You’ve become a pro at problem-solving
In retail, you’ve seen (and heard) it all, so you’re really good at solving problems. You can fix any situation with customers, staff, and inventories. And do all of that at once. You’re the master at getting to the best solution. You’ve probably extended your problem-solving skills to your personal life, where you find quick solutions to complex issues.
8. You get to talk to real people
Retail is a customer-facing role, and you get to meet people from all walks of life — the good, the bad, the really weird. There will be customers you love and look forward to seeing, and some might even become friends. You don’t get that when you’re stuck behind a computer all day.
The perk of productivity
One more perk of managing in retail is finding ways to be more productive. Check out The Ultimate Retail Manager Toolkit to learn tips for improving, productivity, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction.
