Retail Manager CV—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 CV examples.

In this guide: 

• A retail manager CV sample that’s better than 9 out of 10.
• Tips to make your CV 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 CV guides:

• Store Manager CV Examples
• Sales Manager CV Examples
• Sales Associate CV Examples
• Sales CV Examples
• Manager CV Examples
• Business Manager CV Examples
• Assistant Manager CV Examples
• Operations Manager CV Examples
• Retail CV Examples
• Sales Representative CV Examples
• CV Examples for All Professions

Retail Manager CV Sample You Can Make Your Own

Now let’s write your own retail manager CV.

1. Use a Business CV 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 CV. 

Here’s a foolproof CV format:

Retail Manager CV Format

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 Don’t include an address on your CV, it’s an outdated practise.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

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

2. Write a Top-Shelf Retail Management CV 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 CV profile is at eye-level of your CV.

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 CV Summary—Example

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 CV Objective—Example

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 CV, 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 CV 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 CV examples:

Retail Store Manager Job Description

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 CV skills section. 

Retail Manager Skills for CV

• 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 CV is thin on experience, you can add a sentence or two of elaboration to each skill.

Expert Hint: Scan each separate job ad for specific competencies, and bring them to the forefront in each application by crafting a targeted CV. Our CV builder takes care of infinite versions with ease.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.

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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 CV:

Retail Operations Manager CV Sample—Education

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

5. Stuff Your Retail Manager CV With Added Sections

Every CV 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 CV 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 CV Exmaples—Extra Sections

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 CV, address it to the hiring manager. 

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Before you send off your retail manager CV:

• Use the retail manager CV sample and fill in your own information.
• Remember the CV 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 CV for retail manager jobs? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.