Amy, Store Manager – Blacks, Liverpool
What’s the purpose of your role?
My role is to manage everything that happens in my store, from driving sales and managing budgets to developing my people and making sure retail standards and Health and Safety are delivered to a high level. It’s up to me to continually improve the performance of my store and ensure our customers always have a great experience. Above all, it’s about being proactive and making sure I’m reacting fast to everything that’s happening around me.
How have you see Blacks change recently?
I’ve noticed recently that there is more flexibility and freedom in how you manage your store. Of course, you have to justify what you’re doing – and why you’re doing it. But I’ve always believed in doing things in store that really work for the customers in my area, rather than everyone following a central plan and I feel that the management team we have now really encourage this. I have the autonomy to develop my ideas, working closely with everyone from the Merchandising Department to my Area Manager to build up exactly the range of products that’s right for my area.
What are the rewards like?
We consistently get given new challenges. And we’re consistently rewarded when we succeed in meeting them. Throughout the business, there have been some great incentives from a four day trip to New York for the Store Manager with the best window display, to a night out for all the members of staff in a high-performing store.