Retail Manager Cover Letter Example + Writing Tips

[Today’s Date] [Hiring Manager’s Name] 123 Company Address
Company’s City, State, Zip Code
(xxx) xxx-xxxx
hiring.manager@gmail.com

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager’s Last Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Position Name] at [Business Name], as I believe that I’m a perfect match for the role. I have six years of experience in the fashion industry, and with my experience I’d be a great asset to your company.

I have worked in retail management positions since 2016 and possess skills in product processing systems, data analysis, and the recruitment, hire, and training of retail sales associates. Thanks to these skills, I can boost your firm’s sale revenue, trim your operating budget, and manage employees. Additionally, I’m comfortable using in-store logistics tech (e.g., Magaya Cargo System) and I have been retail management certified since 2016. Specific achievements at my current company include the following:

Increased annual sales forecast by $100,000 in my first year as store manager
Recruited, hired, and trained more than 20 new employees
Cut company budget by 22%

I am committed to serving your company industriously to help continue its success into the future. Please feel welcome to contact me at [(xxx) xxx-xxxx] or [your.name@email.com] to arrange an interview. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

If you’re a strong leader who can provide exceptional customer service, you’re well-suited to a retail manager job. But to ensure your application gets noticed, you need to showcase your retail manager skills in a stand-out cover letter.

Follow these three tips to write a retail manager cover letter that boosts your chances of getting an interview:

Highlight your retail manager skills

As a retail manager, your priority is ensuring a store runs successfully — from training sales associates to dealing with stressful customer-facing situations.

Employers are looking for candidates with a blend of leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and customer service skills to meet the demands of this fast-paced job.

Show them you’re the right person for the role by highlighting critical retail manager skills in your cover letter. For example, people skills are essential soft skills for interacting with both customers and staff.

Here are some other key skills to highlight in your retail management cover letter:

Retail management skills for your cover letter

Communication skills	Interpersonal skills	Time management skills	Organizational skills	Sales skills
Teamwork	Critical thinking	Professionalism	Adaptability	Multitasking
Calmness	Stress management	Point of sale (POS) systems	Calendar software	Scheduling software
Human resource management software	Oracle Taleo	Multitasking	Time accounting software	Workforce management software
Payroll software	Inventory software	Microsoft Excel	Merchandising	Decision making
Marketing	Commerce	Visual merchandising	Product knowledge	Empathy

Provide examples of your achievements (using numbers)

As a retail manager, you’ll spend most of your time analyzing numbers and maximizing sales opportunities. So employers need to know you can meet sales goals by eliciting optimal performance from sales associates.

Provide examples of your past retail achievements, and use hard numbers to back them up. Quantifying your achievements gives employers a sense of what they’ll gain from hiring you.

Here are examples of retail manager achievements backed by hard numbers:

Prepared training and development plans along with daily work schedules for 35+ employees

Exceeded sales targets by an average of 47% in 3 consecutive quarters

Implemented new sales strategies, which increased customer satisfaction by 18% monthly

Emphasize your leadership skills

Retail managers supervise all types of people with different experience levels in retail. Strong leadership skills are vital for managing a team of associates and helping them navigate challenging circumstances with customers.

Demonstrating leadership skills in your store manager cover letter will show employers you can effectively lead and motivate your team.

Here are some leadership skills you can include in your cover letter:

Leadership skills for your retail management cover letter

Active listening	Verbal and written communication	Problem solving	Conflict resolution	Project management skills
Delegation	Giving and receiving feedback	Integrity	Adaptability	Motivation

Here’s an example of a cover letter paragraph that highlights a candidate’s leadership skills:

As a Retail Manager, I understand the importance of effective communication, delegation, and collaboration in achieving business goals. In my current role at [Current Company], I have successfully led a team of [X number] associates, providing guidance and mentorship to ensure their professional growth and development. By fostering a positive work environment and creating a culture of accountability, I have been able to cultivate a high-performing team that consistently achieves and exceeds our sales targets.

By showing employers confidence in your ability to lead a team like the candidate above, you’ll make it easier for them to envision you succeeding in the role of store manager.