Retail establishments are found everywhere and include shops that sell a wide variety of goods, such as large supermarkets and department and general merchandise stores. Also included are stores that sell specific lines of merchandise, including meat and fish markets, bakeries, and clothing, shoe, hardware, electronic, furniture and homefurnishings, and drug and liquor stores. Retail stores also provide services directly to the customer, and include restaurants and bars, automotive and boat dealers, and vehicle service stations. Managers who work in these establishments, generally called retail managers, are responsible for the success of retail stores. They insure that retail businesses function smoothly and efficiently, and provide quality goods and services to the customer.
Retail managers have many responsibilities, depending on the size and type of establishment.
Retail managers supervise, among others, chefs, cooks, and other kitchen workers, food and beverage service workers, retail sales workers, cashiers, customer service workers, stock and inventory clerks, and grocery clerks. Retail managers also are responsible for interviewing, hiring, and training employees, as well as preparing work schedules and assigning workers to their specific duties. Because the retail trade industry provides goods and services directly to customers, the retail manager is ultimately responsible for complete customer satisfaction. Answering customers' complaints and inquiries, and ensuring that customers receive prompt service and quality goods, is the primary duty of retail managers. As the size of the retail store and the types of goods and services increase, retail managers increasingly specialize in one department or one aspect of merchandising.