How to Attract and Retain Talented Store Managers for Your Retail Business

As the in-store “boots on the ground”, your store manager is the backbone of your retail brand’s operations, making sure that everything from sales targets to customer service goals are being met.

In cities like London and Manchester, where competition is fierce, having a talented store manager can make all the difference between thriving and just surviving.

But attracting (and keeping) top-tier talent isn’t always easy. We’re here to share our top tips for attracting the best candidates and retaining them for the long haul.

Why Store Managers Are the Backbone of Your Retail Success

A great store manager will be the face of your brand, the leader of your team and the driving force behind your store’s success. It’s for this reason that finding a good one is so important.

Their responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to: managing inventory, leading a team, hitting sales targets and, most importantly, delivering a consistent customer experience that reflects your brand’s values.

Without effective store managers, even stores in the most promising retail locations will struggle to meet their potential. In fact, the performance of your store often hinges on the capabilities of its store manager. But how do you attract and retain these high-performing employees?

How to Attract Talented Store Managers to Your Brand

Attracting the right store manager starts long before you post out your job ad. It starts with how your brand is perceived by customers and potential employees.
First up, your brand reputation. Talented retail workers want to work for companies that have a strong brand image. Ensure that your brand is seen positively by not only customers but also employees past and present. Strong Glassdoor reviews, industry recognition and a clear vision, mission and values go a long way in attracting the right people for your vacancies.

Though being a well-loved brand can attract plenty of applicants, offering competitive pay and benefits is non-negotiable. Especially in cities like London, where the cost of living is high. Make sure to offer a salary that matches the demands of the role, and also consider if your benefits package is up to industry standards. Holidays, sick pay and maternity leave are all things to consider when advertising your vacancy, especially if you want to stand out from the crowd.

Another benefit that you can consider offering to your employees is flexible working arrangements. Whilst being in-store the majority of the time is a must for a store manager, you can still offer some level of flexibility in the role. Could you offer work-from-home for admin work? Or perhaps you could allow more input on shift scheduling?

Last but not least, career progression. Talented professionals want to know that there’s a solid future for them within your company. Make it clear from the outset what opportunities exist for their career growth, so that they can see the long-term potential of the role.

Use a Specialist Retail Recruiter

When searching for your new store manager, you could handle the recruitment process on your own. But using a specialist retail recruiter, like ourselves, can streamline the process and improve your chances of finding the right candidates.

As well as being retail recruitment experts, our team have all worked in retail themselves, meaning that we understand the challenges and demands of these roles from the inside. It also means that we’ve got an extensive network of retail professionals for you to tap into, and we know what separates a good store manager from a great one.

When you partner with a niche recruiter who truly understands the retail industry, you’ll reach a wider pool of candidates that other agencies simply don’t have access to.

Create an Appealing Job Offer: What Do Store Managers Want?

In the current competitive job market, your vacancy needs to stand out. But what exactly do store managers want?
Aside from a competitive salary and benefits package that meets (or exceeds) industry standards, you should also consider offering performance-based incentives. Beyond the base salary, offer bonuses that are tied to store performance, as these can be a powerful motivator in encouraging employees to go the extra mile.

Whilst you’ll want someone who is incredibly passionate about their role, you’ll also want to make sure that your new store manager remains happy and healthy. With the stress that comes with managing a store, having a work-life balance is essential. Offering a decent amount of paid time off, fair working hours and flexibility (where possible) is a good starting point.

A great store manager will be ambitious – so they’ll want the chance to grow and improve their skills, and you want them to do this within your brand, rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere. By providing training opportunities such as qualifications, leadership development and promotion pathways, you’ll find it easier to retain talented employees.

What to Look for in a Good Retail Store Manager?

When searching for a great store manager for your retail brand, there are certain qualities to be on the lookout for. Strong leadership skills are a must-have, as they’ll need to be able to motivate a team, think on their feet, solve problems and maintain a positive in-store environment for both employees and customers. A sharp customer focus is also necessary, with the customer experience at the forefront of their efforts.

Organisation skills? Check. Being in charge of a store means balancing multiple tasks and responsibilities to ensure the day-to-day running of the store. You should also be on the lookout for candidates who show the financial acumen and analytical skills needed to deal with budgets and sales targets.

A great store manager will also show emotional intelligence. Dealing with customers (and a team of employees) every day is no joke, and your store manager will need to be able to effectively navigate interactions with both staff and customers, responding with both empathy and sound judgment.

How to Retain Talented Store Managers

Once you’ve hired your new store manager, keeping them engaged and committed is the next hurdle. Here are our top tips to ensure your top talent stays with you.
Offer a Competitive Salary and Benefits Package

It’s simple: if you want to retain your best team members, you need to ensure that their compensation package isn’t just competitive when you first hire them but also remains competitive over time.

Keep an eye on industry trends, and regularly review salaries to ensure that they meet the demands of the job. In areas like London, home to many retailers, store managers can easily jump ship to other brands. Offering above-market pay will not only make your team feel more appreciated but also help you avoid losing your top talent.

Salary aside, you’ll also want to include benefits such as employee discounts, a good employer pension contribution and, where possible, performance bonuses. Keep your compensation competitive, and you’ll find recruitment and retention much easier.

It’s All in the Culture

On average, full-time employees spend around 1,800 hours per year at work. It’s for this reason that you need to offer more than just a paycheck. Your employees are looking for a role where they feel valued and supported, but also feel fulfilled in their work.

Building a strong company culture is a massive factor in staff retention. That means making sure that your employees’ work environment is one where they feel they can contribute ideas, grow their careers and be recognised for their hard work.

Invest in Your Store Managers’ Professional Development

High-performing store managers want to grow, and they want to work for brands that see their potential. If you’ve got a talented employee who doesn’t feel that they can grow within their role, they’ll likely start to look elsewhere.

Invest in training programs, mentorship and professional development opportunities to keep your staff engaged and invested. Relevant qualifications include leadership, customer service, or store operations.

It’s a two-way street: the more you invest in your team, the more likely they are to stay loyal.

Recognition and Career Progression

Recognising your team’s hard work is a powerful tool in staff retention. From informal praise to structured employee recognition programs, acknowledging the hard work of your store managers goes a long way.

Having clear career progression opportunities is also a must. The best store managers will stay with you for longer if they can see a pathway for their advancement, whether it’s a pay rise, moving to a larger store or taking on multi-store responsibility.

Find Your Next Store Manager

Ready to find a talented store manager for your team? As specialists in retail recruitment, we’re dedicated to finding the right fit for your brand. Talk to us today.