The larger chain and department stores have formal marketing program, some of winch are among best in the country, irrespective of type of business. The main routes to top management in retailing are merchandise management and store management. Career progression in the former would be from assistant buyer to buyer to merchandise division manager. This path deals with selection and promotion of the company's merchandise. On the store an individual would progress from assistant manager to store manager.
Main responsibilities involve sales force management and display.
Retailing, especially with larger firms, can lead to branch management of stores generating up to five million in annual sales. Although starting salaries and job assignments in retailing have been lower than in other marketing functions, the gap is narrowing, both in terms of initial responsibility and financial rewards.