Retail Manager Resume—Sample and 25+ Writing Tips

A good retail manager pulls up their sleeves and gets the work done when duty calls. Not only do you have to manage the operations, but also fill every gap that appears. They grab the broom, or jump on the checkout when the line gets too long.

This is an important sell. You must present your skills and experience in the correct way to beat out other retail manager resume examples.

In this guide: 

• A retail manager resume sample that’s better than 9 out of 10.
• Tips to make your resume format look professional.
• How to list your education, certifications, and skills.
• Tricks to write the best possible store manager job description. 

Alright, let’s stock the shelves.

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Considering other positions? See our dedicated resume guides:

• Assistant Manager Resume Examples
• Business Manager Resume Examples
• Customer Service Manager Resume Examples
• Home Depot Resume Examples
• Manager Resume Examples
• Operations Manager Resume Examples
• Sales Associate Resume Examples
• Sales Manager Resume Examples
• Store Manager Resume Examples
• Team Leader Resume Examples

Retail Manager Resume Sample You Can Make Your Own

Now let’s write your own retail manager resume.

1. Use a Business Resume Format

A lot of psychology goes into retail layout, but one thing is always consistent—there can’t be cans falling off the shelves. Everything needs to be uniform and neat—otherwise, who wants to buy? The same applies to building a resume. 

Here’s a foolproof resume format:

Retail Manager Resume Format

• List work experience in the chronological resume format.
• Here’s what to include in your resume: Resume Header, Objective, Experience, Education, and “Additional.” Don’t include an address on your resume, it’s an outdated practice. 
• Pick best resume fonts, like Noto or Arial in 10–12pt.
• Set 1-inch resume margins, and space sections out.
• 1-page resume is enough, unless you have lots of experience under your belt.
• Save your resume as a PDFto protect formatting, unless instructed otherwise. 
• What’s the best resume template? The one with clear headings and easy-on-the eye layout (avoid infographic resume styles).

The shelves are ready, let’s stack them with the good stuff.

2. Write a Top-Shelf Retail Management Resume Summary or Objective

There is a reason every retail outlet places more expensive brands at eye level. If you have someone’s attention, you better not waste it on anything mediocre. Your resume profile is at eye-level of your resume.

Someone who’s looking to trust you with their whole store must be convinced from the get-go, and reassured at every step. Don’t waste time putting your achievements across in a powerful professional summary statement. Answer the following questions with one sentence each to compose it:

• Who are you? (One power adjective, job title, years+ of experience, previous employer)
• Can you do the job we are asking you to do? (Describe using numbers and accomplishments how well you can handle the job)
• No, but really? (Add another achievement or metric here)
• What can you do for us? (1-2 sentences)

Retail Manager Resume Summary—Example

Personable retail manager with 5+ years of store management experience. Proven track record in exceeding annual and seasonal sales targets in an outlet with $2.4m+ annual revenue. Confidently schedule, train and manage workforces of 35+. Seeking to increase efficiency and the bottom line at Whole Foods Boston Street.

Experienced retail manager of Green Grocer’s. Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented. Great at multitasking, accounting and training staff. Looking for new opportunities in a larger store.

The same rules apply when you’re writing a career objective statement. Although you don’t have relevant retail management experience, you can focus on showing your transferable skills. See the example below.

Retail Manager Resume Objective—Example

Energetic automotive sales manager looking to leverage organizational and sales skills (increased automotive sales over 15% annually) in a managerial position at AutoParts.

I am an assistant sales manager who specialized in sales looking for a retail management position.

Expert Hint: How to write a qualifications summary? It is best to do this once you have completed the other sections of your retail manager resume, especially your job description.

3. Write a Store Manager Job Description and Skills Section 

You’re in luck. Being a retail manager is anything but boring. 

There’s a spill on aisle four and James is on a smoke break? Grab the broom! Did one of the cashiers just hit the jackpot? Guess you’re on the register until that line goes down. Boss, the delivery came in!

The good news is, you can be great at all of those things. And if your retail manager resume convinces the reader of that, you will get that job. Make up to 6 bullet points containing various metrics and achievements that prove your suitability to the new role.

Check out this work history section from one of our retail manager resume examples:

Retail Store Manager Job Description

Retail Manager

FlyHigh, Grand Forks

December 2017—Present

• Hired, scheduled and managed 35+ employees in a retail outlet with $2.4m annual revenue.
• Exceeded sales target by 14% within the first year of work.
• Outperformed the 2019 Christmas sale target by 47% through social media advertising.
• Introduced an online shop, which generated an additional $8K+ of income every month.
• Implemented a system of efficiency evaluation, including industrial cameras and mystery shoppers.
• Tracked and developed yearly sales and payroll expenses budget, cutting down on $13,000 losses.

Assistant Manager

Heaven11, Grand Forks

June 2015—November 2017

• Introduced employee motivational system, which increased the pace of customer service and elevated clients’ satisfaction.
• Increased store sales within the first months of tenure.
• Coordinated employee training and schedules for employees.

The bad example talks about some good achievements but in very general terms. Numbers make it real. Numbers allow the employer to imagine what you can do for them. Make them spend the money you’re going to make them in their head, today.

Remember to show off with your skills, too. Here’s a shorthand list for your resume skills section. 

Retail Manager Skills for Resume

• Operations Management
• Sales Management
• Sales Analysis
• POS Systems
• In-store Logistics
• Leadership Skills
• Product Knowledge
• Tech Savvy
• Marketing
• Visual Merchandising
• Customer Service
• Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Ability to Work Under Pressure
• Decision Making Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Time Management
• Computer Skills

If your retail manager resume is thin on experience, you can add a sentence or two of elaboration to each skill.

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4. Make Your Education Section A Reason To Hire You

I don’t care if Harvard Business School started a special course for store managers. No school can prepare you for someone giving birth in the produce section. Once you have relevant experience, reduce your education to a mention of school, diploma type, and graduation date.

Here’s how to list education on your resume:

Retail Operations Manager Resume Sample—Education

Education

BA Retail Management, 2012-2015

North Central University, Minneapolis

Expert Hint: Retail manager salaries run $44,000 on average, but can go as low as $30,000. Avoid common resume mistakes to make sure you can compete for the top jobs.

5. Stuff Your Retail Manager Resume With Added Sections

Every resume is rounded off with additional sections. Lucky for you, most of them will be boring, irrelevant, and chaotic. Introduce structure by using clear headings for bonus resume sections, such as:

• Certifications
• Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Volunteering
• Professional References
• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Skills—if you haven’t included them as part of your other sections

See how it’s done:

Retail Management Resume Exmaples—Extra Sections

Languages

• French—intermediate
• German—intermediate
• Dutch—beginner

Certifications

• Retail Management Certificate, WAFC, 2019

Added Information 

• Blogging
• Running

One last thing. Write a retail cover letter. There’s no better way to show your motivation.

Expert Hint: To put you ahead of other applicants, when emailing your resume, address it to the hiring manager. 

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Key Points

Before you send off your retail manager resume:

• Use the retail manager resume sample and fill in your own information.
• Remember the resume format guidelines—1 page, reverse chronological, margins, fonts.
• Stack your store manager job description with achievements and numbers.
• Show depth with certifications, skills and other bonus sections to round off. 
• Write a retail manager cover letter.

Was the retail manager sample useful? Got questions on how to write a great resume for retail manager jobs? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.

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