I need some advice (retail management)
Discussion
I am extremely experienced however im starting to get heat for store standards not being to a level the gm wants.
Sales are up every year
Hours get cut every year
There are no technological advancements in the world of putting stuff on a shelf.
Time spent on endless training courses for all floor level colleagues has increased year on year . This training is always about how to deal with Dave who is now Daveina, or how to walk home safe at night etc.
I have arguably the most experienced team in store and they will cover alot of shifts, changes to shifts, overtime for me even at short notice.
I know i generally deal with issues or changes to my departments in person and set up routines or ways of working as well as problem solving before they become a problem. i tend not to feedback this to my line manager as i see it as my responsibility to deal with
However I then get hauled up for the 1 out of 14 things I didn't deal with.
No manager before me has ever made the three departments I run have good cover and ownership.
Depot are killing me sending stock in short dated or not at all.
There is no system for complaining about this service from the depot as the answer once it gets high enough is (the stock is in the business "Somewhere"
Do I need to just leave?
Sales are up every year
Hours get cut every year
There are no technological advancements in the world of putting stuff on a shelf.
Time spent on endless training courses for all floor level colleagues has increased year on year . This training is always about how to deal with Dave who is now Daveina, or how to walk home safe at night etc.
I have arguably the most experienced team in store and they will cover alot of shifts, changes to shifts, overtime for me even at short notice.
I know i generally deal with issues or changes to my departments in person and set up routines or ways of working as well as problem solving before they become a problem. i tend not to feedback this to my line manager as i see it as my responsibility to deal with
However I then get hauled up for the 1 out of 14 things I didn't deal with.
No manager before me has ever made the three departments I run have good cover and ownership.
Depot are killing me sending stock in short dated or not at all.
There is no system for complaining about this service from the depot as the answer once it gets high enough is (the stock is in the business "Somewhere"
Do I need to just leave?
Your story sounds very familiar it wouldn't be a DIY shed by any chance?
I worked in a few retail jobs taking on a lot of stuff that only senior management were permitted to do. For one reason or another, usually because they were snowed under rather than couldn't be arsed it was passed onto me. One thing I learned is that you cannot change established culture filtering down from head office. Every single manager I had told me what a s
t show it was after they left but when they were in the zone it was all rosey, they were afraid to speak up out of a culture of fear. These were people that had worked for Tesco and Sainsburys for 25 years in various management roles so experienced people.
We had central warehouse send in stock we had too much of or no room for and requests for more of fast selling lines were ignored. We had over 60 staff when I left and four years later there is only one member of staff left.
My advice would be to leave
I worked in a few retail jobs taking on a lot of stuff that only senior management were permitted to do. For one reason or another, usually because they were snowed under rather than couldn't be arsed it was passed onto me. One thing I learned is that you cannot change established culture filtering down from head office. Every single manager I had told me what a s
t show it was after they left but when they were in the zone it was all rosey, they were afraid to speak up out of a culture of fear. These were people that had worked for Tesco and Sainsburys for 25 years in various management roles so experienced people.We had central warehouse send in stock we had too much of or no room for and requests for more of fast selling lines were ignored. We had over 60 staff when I left and four years later there is only one member of staff left.
My advice would be to leave
Well a couple of really st days this week including a false fire alarm thst I had to take control of the situation as the other 2 managers fell to bits over it. The SM is now getting on at one of my absolute rocks in the department about the amount of work she will be during the day as I won't get hours to help her. Combined with a huge change to how hours and rotas are done I've lost the energy completely to attack this 'new way of working"
My resignation letter is typed up and ready to hand in on sat.
t days this week including a false fire alarm thst I had to take control of the situation as the other 2 managers fell to bits over it. The SM is now getting on at one of my absolute rocks in the department about the amount of work she will be during the day as I won't get hours to help her. Combined with a huge change to how hours and rotas are done I've lost the energy completely to attack this 'new way of working" My resignation letter is typed up and ready to hand in on sat.
If you want to have a confidential conversation about potential roles at the retailer with the name the rhymes with Diddle feel free to drop me a PM. Coming out of big box retailers and into my current business has not only tripled my salary in 7 years but also improved my leadership skills no end.
Did you resign, OP, and how did it go?
mattlovescars93 said:
If you want to have a confidential conversation about potential roles at the retailer with the name the rhymes with Diddle feel free to drop me a PM. Coming out of big box retailers and into my current business has not only tripled my salary in 7 years but also improved my leadership skills no end.
^^^^ sounds good! 
Yes, you absolutely should leave.
I was an experienced store manager and have worked for three big names in my career. I always had good stores, good standards, 'green' KPIs etc... No matter how good things were, regional managers were there to beat you down and just make you feel absolutely rubbish.
I now work for a small company (in comparison) with 27 staff members, leading a beautiful showroom and report directly to the MD. It's another world, with a better work/life balance, better quality of living, better salary and benefits. I would never have found this job if I hadn't handed my regional director my keys and walked out of my store.
I was an experienced store manager and have worked for three big names in my career. I always had good stores, good standards, 'green' KPIs etc... No matter how good things were, regional managers were there to beat you down and just make you feel absolutely rubbish.
I now work for a small company (in comparison) with 27 staff members, leading a beautiful showroom and report directly to the MD. It's another world, with a better work/life balance, better quality of living, better salary and benefits. I would never have found this job if I hadn't handed my regional director my keys and walked out of my store.
mattlovescars93 said:
If you want to have a confidential conversation about potential roles at the retailer with the name the rhymes with Diddle feel free to drop me a PM. Coming out of big box retailers and into my current business has not only tripled my salary in 7 years but also improved my leadership skills no end.
I'm intrigued by thisWhat does the name of current business rhyme with?
OK to update I had my resignation in pocket and at the end of the morning meeting I asked for 5 mins with the SM. I was diplomatic and said that I had lost my passion for on the floor retail. I needed a change and if possible I'd happily take a position as a home delivery driver. (It's a 20% cut in wages but zero people responsibility and no constant no win scenarios with the shop floor) he was OK with it.
Felt better afterwards. God help whoever takes over after me maybe a fresh face will work but they will need to build up all the rapport with the colleagues as well as vast knowledge of all the special areas ins and outs.
It seemed to shock him most when I said I had my resignation with me.
Felt better afterwards. God help whoever takes over after me maybe a fresh face will work but they will need to build up all the rapport with the colleagues as well as vast knowledge of all the special areas ins and outs.
It seemed to shock him most when I said I had my resignation with me.
mattlovescars93 said:
If you want to have a confidential conversation about potential roles at the retailer with the name the rhymes with Diddle feel free to drop me a PM. Coming out of big box retailers and into my current business has not only tripled my salary in 7 years but also improved my leadership skills no end.
Much appreciated but I have taken a different role. Ironically had an offer from an ex boss who I had been speaking with about my plans. vulture1 said:
OK to update I had my resignation in pocket and at the end of the morning meeting I asked for 5 mins with the SM. I was diplomatic and said that I had lost my passion for on the floor retail. I needed a change and if possible I'd happily take a position as a home delivery driver. (It's a 20% cut in wages but zero people responsibility and no constant no win scenarios with the shop floor) he was OK with it.
Felt better afterwards. God help whoever takes over after me maybe a fresh face will work but they will need to build up all the rapport with the colleagues as well as vast knowledge of all the special areas ins and outs.
It seemed to shock him most when I said I had my resignation with me.
Good on you, bet that meeting gave you butterfly's and a dry mouthFelt better afterwards. God help whoever takes over after me maybe a fresh face will work but they will need to build up all the rapport with the colleagues as well as vast knowledge of all the special areas ins and outs.
It seemed to shock him most when I said I had my resignation with me.
End of the day, and i know it's a cliché but you've got to look after number 1
Onwards and upwards, good luck
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