4 Retail Manager CV Examples & Templates for 2025

Retail managers play a crucial role in overseeing store operations, managing staff, and ensuring excellent customer service. They’re also responsible for achieving sales targets, managing inventory, and maintaining store standards. Highlighting your skills and experience in a store manager CV is essential to demonstrating your ability to potential employers and securing a position in this dynamic field. Find out how to make a retail manager CV that will help you advance in your career!

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Retail manager CV example

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Entry-level / Junior retail manager CV example

An entry-level or junior retail manager is typically new to the field and is gaining experience in retail management. They are eager to learn and contribute to the team while developing their skills. Here's an entry-level store manager CV sample from which you can take inspiration.

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Middle retail manager CV example

A middle-level retail manager has a few years of experience in the field and is proficient in various retail strategies and management techniques. They have developed a good understanding of retail operations and can handle more complex sales scenarios. Here's a middle-level retail manager CV example you can copy and customise.

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Experienced / Senior retail manager CV example

An experienced or senior retail manager has extensive experience in the field and is highly skilled in managing retail operations, achieving sales targets, and leading retail teams. They’re capable of handling complex sales scenarios and providing exceptional service. Below, you can check out a CV sample for a senior retail manager that I’ve created for your convenience.

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Retail manager CV templates in the UK format

Cascade

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For retail managers, the Cascade CV template is an excellent choice due to its clear and organized dual-column layout. This design separates personal information from professional experience, making it easy for hiring managers to quickly locate key details. The clean lines and ample white space of this minimalist CV template ensure your experience in inventory management, team leadership, and sales strategy is presented professionally, highlighting your qualifications without any distractions.

Concept

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The Concept CV template is ideal for retail managers who prefer a modern and practical design. This template’s single-column layout, complemented by a stylish sidebar, effectively highlights your contact information and core competencies. The main section offers plenty of space to detail your extensive retail experience and accomplishments. I find the Concept template particularly effective in drawing attention to your skills in customer service, staff training, and sales performance. This visual CV template is a perfect recipe for capturing the attention of hiring managers.

Diamond

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Looking for a creative CV template? I think the Diamond template may be what you need as it offers a truly unique presentation for a store manager’s CV. Its two-column design divides personal details and a professional summary on one side, with comprehensive sections on work experience, education, and certifications on the other. The use of subtle visual elements, like bullet points and section dividers, guides the reader’s eye through your CV seamlessly.

How to write a retail manager CV:

1. Pick the right format for your store manager CV

Your CV is like the shopfront display of your professional life—it should be eye-catching, well-organized, and easy to navigate. That’s why proper CV formatting is so crucial.

Here’s how to format your CV for a retail manager:

• Choose the reverse chronological CV style, as it’s the one that the recruiters prefer.
• Include all the necessary information in the CV header at the top.
• Pick legible CV fonts. Don’t use more than two—one for the headings and one for the rest of the text. As for font size, go for 14–16 pt for CV headings and 12 pt for the rest of your CV.
• Keep the margins even, at 1” on all sides.
• Use 1.15 line spacing, and don’t skimp on white space to keep your CV easy to scan.

Make sure your retail manager CV has all the necessary information divided into these sections:

• CV Header: include your relevant and current contact information.
• CV Summary or Objective: a short introduction to your CV that’s meant to grab and hold the recruiter’s attention.
• Experience: use this section to present your relevant professional experience.
• Education: don’t skip this one, and be sure to include your academic background.
• Skills: highlight the most relevant skills that are needed by a particular employer.
• Additional sections: stand out from the crowd by presenting your certifications, awards, fluency in foreign languages, and more.

Pro Tip: Save your store manager CV as a PDF file unless the job states otherwise. PDFs keep your CV formatting intact, so it will always look perfect no matter which device it’s viewed on.

2. Craft a perfect retail management CV work experience section

Your work experience is the heart of your CV. It’s where you demonstrate your ability to drive sales, manage teams, and optimize retail operations. But how can it be done in the most effective way? By tailoring your store manager CV to a particular job offer. Here’s how to do it:

• Start with your most recent position and work backward, listing each role in reverse chronological order.
• Include your job title and company name.
• Add dates of employment. 
• Use 5–6 bullet points to present your responsibilities and professional achievements.

If you’re not sure how to write a retail store manager job description for your CV, you can check out the sample responsibilities for retail managers that I’ve prepared for you below.

Keywords for a retail manager CV

• Develop and implement sales strategies to achieve store targets and enhance profitability.
• Lead, train, and motivate sales associates to ensure high performance and excellent customer service.
• Oversee daily store operations, including inventory management, merchandising, and visual displays.
• Manage budgets, control expenses, and optimize resource allocation to achieve financial objectives.
• Analyse sales data and market trends to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and retail standards.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, resolving issues and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, providing feedback and coaching to team members.
• Coordinate and execute promotional events, in-store displays, and marketing campaigns.
• Maintain a safe and clean store environment, adhering to health and safety regulations.

To make each bullet point more impactful, reach for some action verbs. Here are some perfect choices for retail management CVs:

Retail manager CV action verbs

• Developed
• Implemented
• Led
• Trained
• Oversaw
• Managed
• Analysed
• Ensured
• Built
• Coordinated

Read more: What to Include in a Work Experience CV Section?

3. Present your educational background

Don’t trust Pink Floyd’s classic—you do need education, especially on your retail CV. However, you don’t have to make it as long as your Black Friday wish list. If you have some professional experience, all you need to list is:

• The full name of your degree
• The name of the school/university
• Start and graduation date

Remember: you don’t need a degree to become a retail manager, as there are other ways—you can also get this job by simply working towards this role or through a company training scheme.

However, if you’re changing careers or have little to no experience, it can be a good idea to include also any relevant coursework, honors, and distinctions.

Read more: CV Education Section: Samples & How to Create It

4. List your retail manager skills on your CV

Skills are the tools you bring to the table as a retail manager. But—don’t just pick any random ones. Reread the job offer and use it to guide you on which professional soft and hard skills you should include in your store manager CV.

Then, limit yourself to 6–10 skills and provide brief descriptions. If you’re not sure how to do it, check out the retail manager CV samples at the beginning of this article. To make crafting your retail management CV skills section even easier, I’ve prepared a list of skills examples you can use as your starting point.

Retail manager CV skills

Hard skills

• Inventory Management Systems (e.g., Oracle Retail, SAP Retail)
• POS Systems (e.g., Square, Shopify, NCR)
• Merchandising Strategies
• Sales Forecasting
• Financial Reporting
• Budget Management
• Data Analysis Tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau)
• Retail Software (e.g., QuickBooks, Retail Pro)
• Supply Chain Management
• Loss Prevention Techniques
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
• Vendor Negotiation
• Market Trend Analysis
• Employee Scheduling Software
• Retail Marketing Platforms

Soft skills

• Sales Strategy Development
• Team Leadership
• Training and Development
• Customer Relationship Management
• Performance Evaluation
• Marketing and Promotion
• Compliance and Standards
• Communication Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Financial Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Time Management
• Negotiation Skills
• Customer Service Excellence
• Adaptability
• Stress Management
• Delegation Skills
• Ethical Judgment
• Creativity
• Influencing and Persuasion
• Project Management
• Team Building
• Networking Skills

Read more: The Best Skills to Put on Your CV

5. Add extra sections to your CV for retail manager jobs

You can think of your retail store manager's CV as the layout of a well-organised shop. The main aisles guide the shopper through the essentials. But it's the end caps, those strategic displays at the ends of aisles, that catch the eye and add a touch of flair. Extra CV sections are like those end caps.

Additional CV sections showcase the elements that make you unique as a professional, drawing attention and providing depth beyond the main sections. Here are some of the extra section ideas for a retail manager CV:

• Professional Certifications: presenting your relevant professional certifications can make you stand out from other candidates by proving your commitment and expertise in the field. 
• Foreign Languages: being multilingual is always a significant advantage, no matter your job title, that’s why you should always highlight your language skills on a CV.
• Hobbies and Interests: you can put your hobbies and interests on your CV, especially when they’re relevant to the job you’re after. For example, a keen interest in e-commerce can show you’re digital savvy.
• Memberships: being a member of professional organizations showcases your dedication and commitment to staying on top of the latest tendencies in your field of expertise and networking with other professionals.

Read more: What to Include in a CV: Key CV Sections

6. Write a retail manager CV summary or objective

A CV personal profile is like a short ad designed to make the recruiter get to know you more. It can come as a CV objective or a CV summary. Which one you should pick depends on your level of experience.

If you have some relevant retail experience, write a CV summary. Focus on highlighting the most impressive facts about you as a professional and briefly mention how you want to add value to the company you're applying to.

But what if you’re changing careers or applying for a job as a retail manager as the next step up on the career ladder? Write a CV objective. This way, you’ll be able to highlight your skills more and better explain why you’re a perfect candidate for this particular job.

Read more: How to Write a CV Introduction [+ Examples]

7. Attach a retail manager cover letter

Are cover letters still a thing? Well, they’re, as 83% of recruiters admit that cover letters are an important part of making their hiring decisions. Plus, even a short cover letter gives you a chance to personalize your job application and delve deeper into your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.

Here’s how to write a perfect cover letter:

• Use proper cover letter formatting.
• Start your cover letter with the recruiter’s name.
• Follow with an attention-grabbing opening sentence that will make the hiring manager want to read more.
• Sell yourself well in your cover letter by expanding on your qualifications and why you’re a perfect match for the role.
• Close your cover letter with a strong call to action.

Make sure your cover letter design matches the one of your CV. After all, in retail paying attention to the aesthetics of things is one of the absolute essentials!

Read more: Retail Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

I’ve selected a few more guides you may be interested in:

• Retail CV Examples + Writing Tips
• Customer Service CV Examples + Writing Tips
• Shop Assistant CV Examples + Writing Tips
• Sales CV Examples + Writing Tips
• Career Change CV Examples + Writing Tips
• Free CV Examples + Writing Tips for All Professions

About Zety’s Editorial Process

Our editorial team has thoroughly reviewed this article to ensure it follows Zety’s editorial guidelines. Our dedication lies in sharing our expertise and providing you with actionable career advice that offers you real value. Every year, the quality of our content attracts 40 million readers to our site. But that’s not all – we conduct original research to gain a detailed understanding of the labour market. We take pride in being cited by top universities and leading media outlets in the UK and worldwide.

Sources

• National Careers Service, "Retail manager"
• Human Resources Online, "Are cover letters important? 83% of recruiters say yes"