Store Manager Review

I am a Store Manager for Co-Op and handle the day-to-day running of a food retail store. My main responsibilities are as follows: rota planning, KPI target management as well as training all colleagues to enable them to complete their roles effectively. I also regularly communicate with my area manager.

Through the apprenticeship, I have learnt numerous skills to complete my role as store manager more effectively. These include, people skills. I now have a better understanding of how to communicate better to allow me to perform better in my role. Also I now understand much about about the legal side of my role.

This programme has been very useful to teach me valuable skills that I have implemented into my role as store manager. I have particularly enjoyed the legal side of this programme. In my role, it is imperative that I have accurate knowledge of the law and this programme has done that and more.

In the beginning the programme was very well structured and I felt like I was making very good progress. A few things sadly happened in my personal life which meant I fell behind and found it very hard to catch up. My tutor was very understanding throughout which was nice.

I was allowed 8 hours per week in order to perform the work needed to complete this course. As a store manager it wasn’t always easy to find the time to manage a business and my apprenticeship but I think in the end I did a good job of both.

At the start, Richard Astle was my tutor and he was brilliant. He always took the time to help me with the course but also with certain personal problems I had. He became more of a friend than a tutor which was very nice. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him.

As previously mentioned, the training has already proven extremely invaluable within my role. I regularly use the knowledge I gained. With HFSS being so important in retail since last year, this course provided me with all the information needed to navigate HFSS successfully and allow my store to trade legally.

I do have a few extra curricular activities through work. The biggest one would be just meeting other store managers outside of work for a drink or a few of us go bowling once a month and then have some food afterwards. This is always good to engage with others who are going through the same thing as me.

Yes

I feel that Co-op is a brilliant place to work for many reasons. The first would be all the good the business does for local communities through our membership programme. It gives me a great sense of pride to see first hand the good that we do for people less fortunate.

Research the company first. Make sure you are aware of the community and membership offers that Co op have. These will be vital to understand so you know what is being asked of you if you were successful in your application. Also, be yourself. Co op have very diverse employees and there is room for everyone.