Overview
The retail manager drives the commercial performance and customer experience of one or more stores. As the conductor of the boutique network, they combine commercial flair, leadership and high standards to bring the brand's image to life on the ground.
What is a retail manager?
A multi-faceted role, the retail manager is at once a team leader, a commercial expert and a meticulous administrator. They design and roll out business development strategies to meet the targets set by senior management, while making sure the brand's codes and identity are respected.
What does a retail manager do?
Recruiting, training and motivating sales teams to guarantee impeccable customer service and convey the brand's values.
Analysing performance indicators (KPIs) and setting ambitious sales targets to grow the turnover and profitability of the stores.
Overseeing the quality of the welcome and the customer journey, and building close relationships with the most loyal clients.
Making sure the brand identity is respected in store layout, product presentation and the way teams behave.
Reporting regularly to senior management and proposing improvements for the store network.
What skills do you need to become a retail manager?
A retail manager needs leadership, commercial flair and an excellent knowledge of the luxury world in order to run one or more stores successfully.
- Leadership and management ability
- A strong sense of service and customer relations
- Commercial expertise and an analytical mind
- In-depth knowledge of the luxury world and its codes
- The ability to bring a team together and help it grow
- Rigour in tracking performance indicators
- Strong organisation and multi-site management
- Adaptability to change in the sector and in digital
- A strong command of English and, ideally, another foreign language
What career prospects and salary can a retail manager expect?
The role of retail manager offers excellent career prospects in the luxury world. With experience, it is possible to move into positions such as multi-store retail manager, regional sales director or retail director.
In terms of pay, a retail manager typically starts on between €24,000 and €28,000 gross per year. With experience in the luxury sector, the salary can exceed €40,000, and reach €3,000 to €8,000 gross per month in the most senior positions.
How do you become a retail manager?
To become a retail manager, a three- to five-year higher education course is recommended: a bachelor's degree specialising in retail, luxury, marketing or business, or a master's in luxury management.
Initial experience, often on the shop floor within a luxury house, is essential in order to understand the realities of the role, develop commercial flair and establish your leadership.
It is therefore advisable to choose a course suited to your professional ambitions from the programmes offered by EIDM, so as to build commercial and managerial expertise in the luxury world step by step.
