Shop manager
Also known as: boutique manager, shop general manager, retail store manager, retail shop manager, store manager, deputy store manager
About this occupation
Shop managers are responsible for activities and staff in specialised shops.
Essential skills and knowledge
- order supplies
- apply health and safety standards
- manage staff
- measure customer feedback
- sales activities
- set up pricing strategies
- manage theft prevention
- adhere to organisational guidelines
- ensure correct goods labelling
- maintain relationship with customers
- negotiate buying conditions
- use different communication channels
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers (O*NET 41-1011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Provide customer service by greeting and assisting customers and responding to customer inquiries and complaints.
- Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or in performing services for customers.
- Examine merchandise to ensure that it is correctly priced and displayed and that it functions as advertised.
- Monitor sales activities to ensure that customers receive satisfactory service and quality goods.
- Instruct staff on how to handle difficult and complicated sales.
- Assign employees to specific duties.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness
US median pay: US$48,520 a year (2025), 1,121,800 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.9)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.3)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Specialisations
- ammunition shop manager
- antique shop manager
- audio and video equipment shop manager
- audiology equipment shop manager
- bakery shop manager
- beverages shop manager
- bicycle shop manager
- bookshop manager
- building materials shop manager
- clothing shop manager
- computer shop manager
- computer software and multimedia shop manager
- confectionery shop manager
- cosmetics and perfume shop manager
- craft shop manager
- delicatessen shop manager
- domestic appliances shop manager
- drugstore manager
- eyewear and optical equipment shop manager
- fish and seafood shop manager
- floor and wall coverings shop manager
- flower and garden shop manager
- fruit and vegetables shop manager
- fuel station manager
- furniture shop manager
- hardware and paint shop manager
- jewellery and watches shop manager
- kitchen and bathroom shop manager
- meat and meat products shop manager
- medical goods shop manager
- motor vehicle shop manager
- music and video shop manager
- orthopaedic supply shop manager
- pet and pet food shop manager
- photography shop manager
- press and stationery shop manager
- second-hand shop manager
- shoe and leather accessories shop manager
- sporting and outdoor accessories shop manager
- telecommunication equipment shop manager
- textile shop manager
- tobacco shop manager
- toys and games shop manager