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Degrees and Schools
Some of the common degrees of retail sales supervisors are business, marketing, management and liberal arts.
Classes
Useful subjects to study include:
- Sales
- Management
- Business
- Accounting
- Communications
- Marketing
Many college students who want to enter the profession take internships at retail stores.
Online Classes and Programs
A large number of schools offer online programs in marketing, management, business and liberal arts. The online programs may not be able to help students find internships at retail stores.
It's important students take online programs provided by schools which have been accredited by an agency approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education.
Employment Requirements
Typically, employers hire supervisors that have sales experience. Many retail chains provide training programs which include classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Some sales supervisors begin their careers as a salesperson, a cashier or a customer service representative.
Some employers may prefer applicants who have a bachelor's degree. Some sales supervisors have bachelors's or associate degrees in subjects such as marketing, business, liberal arts or management. A college degree also helps retail sales supervisors advance in their careers.
The major employers of retail sales supervisors are department stores, clothing and clothing accessory stores, grocery stores, building materials and supplies centers and motor vehicle and parts dealers.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The answers to the following questions can help students select the appropriate school:
- Training - Does the program help students find internships at a retail store?
- School's Reputation - What kind of reputation does the school have with retail stores? Is the school nationally ranked?
- Job Placement - Are students provided job placement services? Do representatives of retail stores recruit students at the school? Does the school provide job fairs?
- Curriculum - What type of electives are offered? Can students select an area of specialization?
- Financial Aid - What types of financial aid are available? Is the school qualified to provide federal financial aid?
- Accreditation - Is the school accredited by an agency which has been approved by the the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education?
Retail Sales Supervisors Job Description
Simply put, retail sales supervisors oversee sales people and other employees in a retail setting. They have many duties including interviewing and hiring employees. Retail supervisors responsibilities vary depending on the size and type of the business. In large stores, they're usually given one department to supervise and they're known as department supervisors. Retail sales supervisors often oversee the entire operation of a small retail store. Shown below are some of their responsibilities:
- Make sure employees have been properly trained
- Create and implement objectives and policies for their specific department
- Make sure that customers are satisfied with the products and services provided
- Create merchandising techniques
- Make sure goods are not outdated
- Answer customers' questions
- Handle customer complaints
- Coordinate sales promotions
- Examine sales and inventory records
Resources
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