Careers In Music.com

Record Store Manager

$24,000 to $48,000+

Store Manager, Music Department Manager

Manage day to day, Supervise workers, Open and Close Store.
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About This Music Career

Albums are sold in record stores or in department stores in the record and video department. The Record Store Manager is the person responsible for running these stores on a daily business. The Manager may be working for a private store owner, a chain, or a department store. Their daily responsibilities include employee supervision, schedule development and duty assignment.


The Manager is usually also responsible for hiring and firing, and is often times found doing the work of his or her employees when short staffed. The Manager acts as a facilitator, taking care of any problems that arise between employees or between employees and customers. These problems with customers might include problems with merchandise, order questions or just difficult store personnel.


Managing merchandise is another responsibility, and to do this successfully, he or she must know what is trending and what is not. To have an idea of what is in stock and what the store needs, the Manager must supervise inventories regularly. From this, the Manager can see what items need to be reordered and what overstock can be sent back to the distributor. Inventory includes CDs, DVDs, records, music videos, cassettes, black CDs, music magazines, posters, and more.


It is up to the Record Store Manager to make sure that operating data are logged and tracked, daily transactions are posted and that cash is reconciled. And, depending on the store, the Manager may also coordinate sales promotion activities and prepare specific advertisements and displays for merchandise.


Generally, the Record Store Manager's hours fall in line with those of the retail store, and remain pretty regularly.

Salaries
Depending on the size and location of the store, along with the experience of the individual, the Record Store Manager's salary will vary, starting around $24,000, but usually ranging to $30,000 to $48,000 per year. These amounts are made up of salaries, commissions, and/or bonuses. If the Record Manager is also the Owner, they will receive a percentage of the profits.


Employment
There are usually many openings for Record Store Managers and Record Department Managers across the country. Those who have record store experience and have knowledge of how a store works will be qualified for a Manager position. One thing to think about is the continual rise of online music stores, which are leading to the closing of brick and mortar stores. As a result, one might have better luck looking for a Managing position in the music department of a department store or chain.


Advancement
Record Store Managers can advance in a variety of ways, so prospects look good. One way is to obtain a management position at a larger store that will allow for increased responsibilities and increased pay. Another method is to move from a department store to a record store as the Manager. Then, there are those who begin as Record Store Managers and then move on to managing whole chains of record stores. Another form of advancement would be for one to purchase and run their own store.


Education and Training
Usually, Record Store Managers have a high school diploma at the minimum. But, some require or prefer their Managers to possess a college degree in retailing, business administration and music merchandising.


Experience, Skills, and Personality
Record Store Managers usually have experience in retail sales and have worked in record stores as clerks of a period of time. This period of time varies, but to be a Manager, one should have worked long enough to learn how the retail record business is run. Also, customers vary from market to market, so Managers should have a firm grasp on who their customers are and what types of music they prefer. Skills for the successful Record Store Manager include reliability, honesty, and the willingness to work hard. They must also be able to hire, fire, and be a good administrator.


Unions and Associations
The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) is the trade association for people in the recording business.


Suggestions for Getting Started

  • Check help-wanted sections of newspapers.
  • Employment agencies occasionally look for people to fill jobs as Managers. Depending on the agency and the job, you might have to pay a fee if you obtain a position, so be sure to check.
  • Many record stores like to promote from within, so consider starting in a lower position if that is all that is available.
  • Keep a lookout for signs advertising openings on record shop windows.