Requirements

Manager or director in retail and wholesale - requirements

As a retail or wholesale manager or director, you’ll be at the heart of planning and coordinating the running of a retail or wholesale store to increase business performance. Learn more about this role and what you need to study to get one by reading our career profile.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a manager or director in retail and wholesale?

This area of work is open to all graduates but the following subject areas are especially suitable:

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a manager or director in retail and wholesale?

A postgraduate qualification for retail or wholesale manager and director roles isn’t always needed, but having one can help your chances of getting a job.

Examples of taught MAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include MAs in:

Logistics and supply chain management
Management
Business administration
Master in luxury goods management

What skills do you need to be a manager or director in retail and wholesale?

To succeed in this role, you’ll need to develop leadership and numeracy skills with an ability to encourage and motivate others to work more efficiently.

Hard skills usually include:

Key performance indicators (KPIs)
Customer experience
Stock management
Finance
Visual merchandising
Stock control

Soft skills include:

Leadership
Communication
Management
Problem-solving
Customer service

Do you need work experience to be a manager or director in retail and wholesale?

To begin a career in the retail or wholesale industry, work experience is important. You could look for entry-level retail jobs or volunteer at local stores like charity shops. You should try to get experience in tasks like stock management, merchandising and customer service. Some uni courses may also include a placement as part of the degree.