Jeff Campbell

Grocery store departments and aisles are organized to make it easier for shoppers to find what they need. While some chains have some unique aspects or categories, most grocery stores have similar layouts, so what are the different sections of a grocery store?

Almost all grocery stores start with the Produce department and then line the walls with Meat, Seafood, Deli & Bakery. Then the center of the store encompasses the Grocery department, along with Beer & Wine, and Health & Beauty. The Front End is where the cashiers and baggers finalize the shopping experience.

But that just scratches the surface!

Some small grocery stores are specialty stores that may sell primarily organic and healthy food. Some may have full-service meat departments with butchers.

All grocery stores, though, have certain things in common.

So in this article, we’re diving deep into grocery stores. We’ll explore the layouts, department names, why milk is always at the back of the store, and much more!

As you shop, you’ve no doubt noticed that some days the store is totally full and other days totally empty. Why is that?

Click here to read a complete guide to what days of the week grocery stores re-stock. I get into how to know, since different stores do things differently. But I also cover how you can save money by timing your shopping trips correctly!

Just keep reading!

What are the most common areas of a grocery store?

Grocery stores are specifically designed to make it easier for the shopper to find what they need as well as increase profits.

Many grocery stores have a deli, bakery where they make fresh cakes, or coffee shop with tables and chairs, encouraging you to hang out at the store as long as possible. Some grocery stores have floral departments while others do not.

Lots of grocery stores are mom and pop stores. These stores are usually tiny and often don’t have a butcher, if they have a meat department at all.

But there are a few things that every grocery store has in common. No matter how big or small, you’ll find that every grocery store has common categories, aisles, and areas.

Let’s start with the common areas of the grocery store.

When you first walk into the doors of your favorite grocery store, the first thing you’ll notice is the Produce department. This is where all the fruits and vegetables are. We’ll explore this and the other major departments in greater detail below.

While up at the front of the store, you’ll also likely notice what is called the Front End department.

This is usually where the cash registers are located. The customer service desk will likely be nearby as well. There may be an ATM or even a full-service bank.

Then we have what is called the perimeter departments.

These are departments that line the walls around the store. We’ll get to the interior, or center of the store in a minute.

The perimeter may include a bakery, deli, meat, seafood department, or even a coffee bar.

The perimeter is also where you’ll find your dairy products as well, typically about as far away from the front doors as possible. More on that below too.

Finally, there is always going to be a center area of the store.

This is where your general grocery items are going to be located. But it is also where you’ll find household cleaners, pet food, and other miscellaneous items.

The center of the store is typically called the Grocery department and while it doesn’t always make up the largest percentage of a store’s sales, it is the largest department in the store. It is also the one department that virtually every customer shops in.

So the Grocery department is critical to a store’s success.

The health & beauty products may also be located in the center of the store as well. This will include not only vitamins, herbal products, but also make-up and body products.

Are grocery stores designed to make you walk a certain way?

Yes, is the short answer.

Grocery stores are typically designed to encourage you to travel from the right side of the store towards the left. The next time you go to the grocery store, pay attention to where things are located.

The produce department will typically be the first department you shop in. The cooler/freezer section will likely be the last section you reach.

But while grocery stores don’t often move entire departments, it’s not uncommon for them to move products and categories from one aisle to another.

This isn’t just to annoy their shoppers (although it often does).

Curious about the psychology behind how stores are laid out, and why the change the layout? I have the answer in this recent article from my 20+ years of working for Whole Foods Market.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Couple holds dream wedding in the produce department at grocery store https://t.co/Tla9v3kXAw pic.twitter.com/ZMNWingqnT

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 27, 2018

What are the most common grocery store terms?

Grocery stores can sometimes be hard to navigate, especially when you see terms like “free-range”, “organic”, “grass-fed,” and “all-natural.”

So let’s explore some of these terms one by one:

Organically grown foods

Organic food is food that is made without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and other artificial treatments. They are regulated by the government and are not as common as non-organic food.

Organic food can also be more expensive. To read about the cost difference between organic and non-organic food, read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Grass-fed

When purchasing beef, “grass-fed” sounds appealing, and it is great, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s organic. Grass-fed beef means that the animal was pasture-raised and was not fed corn or soy.

So when you are shopping for meat, look for organic grass-fed beef with a USDA rating of at least Choice.

All-natural

The FDA doesn’t have an official ruling of the term “natural” or all-natural”. Because of that, you’ll see that term on products that aren’t really all that natural.

The FDA does go on to say that they”considered the term “natural” to mean that nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in that food.”

But they are quick to point out that this general definition was not intended for “food production methods” “food processing methods” or “manufacturing methods”. They also steer clear of implying whether the term relates to health or nutrition. (source)

So basically it’s a worthless term. Check the ingredient list to make sure that the ingredients you want to avoid aren’t in that product.

But food-related terms aren’t the only terms grocery stores use.

You’ll also hear terms like “rain check,” “rebates,” “unit price,” and “end cap,” among others.

When things go on sale, they will sometimes run out. When this happens, stores will sometimes issue a rain check. That way, you can still get the sale price when the item is back in stock, even if it’s not on sale anymore. Think of it as an in-store coupon.

A rebate is a refund for a portion of your purchase.

Sometimes they are instant and applied at the register upon purchase. Other times, you’ll have to mail in the rebate coupon with a copy of your receipt. Rebates are issued directly from the manufacturer.

The best way to make sure you are getting the most value for your money is to look for the unit price. It is found on the shelf tag and will tell you how much an item costs by a unit of measurement. It is usually by the ounce, but can also be by the pound or per item, like with paper products.

The special display shelves that you’ll find at the end of the aisles are called end caps.

These displays are to drive purchases. Sometimes the items are on sale, but just because it is on display, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cheaper.

Another term to look out for is limit.

Oftentimes, when something goes on sale, there will be a purchase limit. So, if you see a “limit 10” on a shelf tag or in a sales circular, that means you can purchase a maximum of 10 items at the sale price.

Limits are usually per shopping trip or per day, so feel free to go back the next day to purchase more!

Grocery store catches man stealing, sends him home with a bag of groceries https://t.co/UZ4EM52KTI pic.twitter.com/hykDH0RhH6

— CTV News (@CTVNews) April 23, 2020

What are the common grocery store categories & aisles?

The majority of grocery stores will have many categories and aisles in common.

Smaller mom and pop stores may not have all of these categories, but generally big chains will have most of them.

Common grocery store departments and sections are:

• The Produce department
• The Meat department
• The Seafood department
• The Beer and Wine section
• The Health and Beauty department
• The Deli/Prepared Foods department
• The Front End

Grocery stores may also have a separate floral department, often connected to or adjacent to Produce.

They may also have other specialty departments, like a cafe or coffee bar.

Before we get into what is in each department, let’s talk about the middle aisles of the grocery store.

This is where you’ll find things like cereal, baking ingredients, canned goods, cleaning products, and paper products.

Aisles are organized so that similar products are grouped together. This makes shopping quick and efficient.

The cereal will be in the same aisle as other breakfast items, like cereal bars, oatmeal, and pancake mix. This is also where you’ll find coffee and coffee filters.

The beverage aisle will be where you’ll find soft drinks, juice drinks, water, and energy drinks. Large grocery stores may have more than one beverage aisle.

The bread aisle is where you’ll find hot dog buns, hamburger buns, sandwich rolls, and sandwich bread. It’s also where you’ll find things like peanut butter and jelly. you may also find paper plates.

If paper plates aren’t on your bread aisle, they’ll be on your paper products Isle this will have paper towels and napkins toilet paper. it may also contain cleaning supplies and laundry detergent.

The snack aisle will often be combined with the candy aisle. This is where you’ll find chips and popcorn, pretzels and of course candy.

The canned aisle is where you’ll find canned goods. It is usually comprised of more than one aisle and contains a variety of canned vegetables, fruits, and meats.

The pasta aisle is where you’ll find your dried pasta, pasta sauce, and boxed dinners like Hamburger Helper.

It is also where you’ll find rice. I’ve found that some grocery stores have canned tomatoes on the pasta aisle instead of the canned vegetable aisle. I suppose this makes sense, considering you’ll usually use canned tomatoes in semi-homemade pasta sauce.

Now, let’s look at each individual department.

The Produce department

The produce department is where you’ll find your fresh produce. If a store doesn’t have a separate floral department, it’s also where you’re likely to find fresh flowers.

The freshest and most seasonal produce (and also often the cheapest) is placed at the front while that is not so fresh (and pricier stuff) is put in the back.

It’s normally located just near the entrance of the store. Produce is typically located right at the entrance because of the freshness and bold colors. It’s designed to imply that the whole store is fresh and abundant.

The least expensive items are also positioned at the front of the department to imply that the whole store has great prices and is value-packed.

Ever wonder why produce departments spray water on some vegetables?

Is it really to keep them fresh or are they trying to make the items weigh more since so much of it is sold by the pound? Click here to read my complete breakdown of water spraying in produce departments. Fear not! I give you the inside scoop!

The Meat Department

The meat is where you’ll find beef, chicken, and pork. You may also find some specialty meats like oxtail.

Just like the rest of the store, the meat department is organized so shoppers can quickly find what they are looking for. This department may just be fresh and frozen packaged items.

But larger stores will have a meat counter where you can get specialty cuts or things cut to order.

If you are lucky enough to have a full-service butcher, get to know him or her. They can be a wealth of information. They can also be a good source of how and when to purchase your meat.

Wondering which grocery chains have the best steaks?

Not all steaks and meat are created equal. And there is a lot of variety on meat grading standards. Luckily, I take the mystery out of it for you in this recent article. In it, I talk about which grocery stores have the best steak.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

The Seafood Department

The seafood department is where you’ll find, you guessed it, seafood! Fish, scallops, shrimp – everything that lives under the sea can be found in this department.

It is usually found next to the Meat department on the back wall of the store. In smaller stores and chains it may even be part of the Meat department.

Sometimes you can even find live lobsters in a tank or freshly prepared sushi.

6 Hacks For Choosing The Fastest Checkout Line At The Grocery Store https://t.co/kK6PDbf3Mo #shopping #hacks pic.twitter.com/tbuMlPNbU9

— Robin La Pere (@noordinaryco) September 15, 2016

The Beer & Wine Section

Not all grocery stores sell beer and wine, but the ones that do will also have a separate department for it.

There would typically be a lot of bottles and cases on dry shelves as well as a large aisle of refrigerated beer.  There would also typically be a small selection of chilled white wine, rose, and champagne.

Of course in some states, there will also be liquor at the grocery store too!

Which states allow that and which ones don’t and are there restrictions on the hours and days you can buy it? The so-called “blue laws” can be confusing!

Luckily, I break it all down in a recent article where I give you a state by state guide on grocery stores and liquor sales and the history of blue laws.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

The Health & Beauty Department

The health and beauty department is where you’ll find shampoo, makeup, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and vitamins. Basic first aid items, as well as feminine hygiene items, are located in the health and beauty department as well.

This may also be where you’ll find over-the-counter pain relievers and allergy medicine. It is usually located right next to the pharmacy if there is one in that store.

Not all grocery stores have pharmacies but just about every grocery store sells basic health and beauty items.

Deli/Prepared Foods Department

The deli, just like the bakery or meat and seafood departments, will be located along the wall of the grocery store.

This is where you’ll find pre-packaged meats and cheeses. If you have a full-service deli, it’s also where somebody will slice meats and cheeses for you.

Grocery stores will often have fully cooked and hot meats and side dishes ready for purchase served cafeteria-style. Some grocery stores, like Publix and Whole Foods, will even make sandwiches by the order or have self-serve salad bars.

The Front End

The front end is probably the most important part of the grocery store and where all the magic happens.

This is where you will typically be able to find managers if you need help, a customer service desk, and of course, cashiers.

The customer service desk may be where things like rain checks and refunds are issued. 

You may find an ATM nearby as well as coin machines. Sometimes there will even be a full-service bank. Western Union and other money wiring services are often located here as well.

This is also where cashiers get change for their registers.

If you look closely, you’ll notice that the front end is where the store bookkeeper works. The bookkeeper is not only responsible for keeping the books, but they also ensure that the cashier’s tills are stocked with correct amounts of money.

The customer service desk is like the heart of the grocery store. Employees, as well as customers, get what they need from the customer service desk.

If you are a brand new grocery store worker this is probably where you’ll start out. If this is your first job, and you’re nervous about working in a grocery store, read this recent article.

There I talk about all of the things that can make you successful in a grocery store environment. It can be very stressful, but it’s important to keep calm.

Cashiers don’t just checkout customers.

They also have to answer customer questions, and often are responsible for bagging groceries. Cashiers also need to be able to accurately count change back to customers. They are typically the person that customers complain to when the store is out of items or there is a price discrepancy.

They also have to keep their eyes and other senses open to prevent product loss.

10 grocery store hacks I use every week: https://t.co/bapcuunMZ7 pic.twitter.com/2tTP54C0rF

— The Everygirl (@TheEverygirl_) February 25, 2020

Why is milk always in the back of the store?

Milk is a staple item that ends up in almost everyone’s shopping cart.

Even if you’re vegan, chances are you are at least buying cartons of almond or coconut milk which are also located in the same area.

And if you pay attention, you’ll see that this area is almost always at the complete back of the store, typically as far away from the front doors as possible.

Why is that??

Well, it’s not an accident. For decades, savvy grocery store owners, managers, and companies have known that all shoppers will seek this department out. If they placed this are near the front doors, some shoppers would undoubtedly come grab their milk, check out, and be on their way.

So they figured out that if shoppers have to walk all the way through the whole store, they are much more likely to pick up a few extra things along the way.

It’s that same savvy psychology that leads expert grocers to also place stacks of handbaskets throughout the store for those who didn’t grab a cart on the way in.

Many times I’ve gone in to just grab 1 or 2 things, gotten my hands full only to spy a nearby stack of handbaskets. Once I unload my arms into the basket, I’m them much more likely to keep picking up items along the way.

So psychology, marketing, and a keen focus on profits are why the milk is at the back of the store.

Final thoughts

There are some things that every grocery store has. From canned goods to meat and produce. Most every grocery store has packaged lunch meat, but they don’t all have a full-service meat department with a butcher.

Depending on what state you live in, your grocery store may or may not sell alcohol.

Some large chain stores have interesting seafood departments. On the other hand, mom and pop stores probably won’t have a seafood department. In fact, if they sell seafood at all, it will likely be frozen.

But why are some chains only in certain states?

And even then, some stores are only in certain cities and not others even within the same state. Kroger is a good example in Texas where I live as we have them in Dallas, but not in Austin.

Click here to read my complete guide to grocery chains and why some are regional and not national.

Looking for something specific and where it’s located in a store? 

Check out these articles on specific products. Just click any of those links to read more on my website:

Honey

Protein Powder

Peppermint Oil

Thermometers

Asian Sauces

What is your favorite grocery store?
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”Mjzwj6Zt” upload-date=”Mon Aug 10 2020 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”What Are the Different Sections of a Grocery Store?” description=”Grocery store departments and aisles are organized to make it easier for shoppers to find what they need. While some chains have some unique aspects or categories, most grocery stores have similar layouts, so what are the different sections of a grocery store? Here’s what I know from my decades of experience: Almost all grocery stores start with the Produce department and then line the walls with Meat, Seafood, Deli & Bakery. Then the center of the store encompasses the Grocery department, along with Beer & Wine, and Health & Beauty. The Front End is where the cashiers and baggers finalize the shopping experience. But that just scratches the surface! Some small grocery stores are specialty stores that may sell primarily organic and healthy food. Some may have full-service meat departments with butchers. All grocery stores, though, have certain things in common. So in this article, we’re diving deep into grocery stores. We’ll explore the layouts, department names, why milk is always at the back of the store, and much more!”]

I was a grocery store manager for many years, but in my early days of working in grocery stores, I still remember wondering what does a grocery store manager do.

Here’s what I learned from doing that job for over 15 years:

A grocery store manager is responsible for the store’s financial performance, handles hiring & firing, maintains merchandising and cleanliness standards, ensures employees are properly trained and giving excellent customer service and makes sure the store is legally compliant in all areas. 

But there’s a great deal more to know about not only what a grocery store manager does, but how to do the job well.

So if you’re considering this job for your career, or doing the job but struggling or wanting to improve, we’ll get into all of that here!

Let’s dive in.

The manager of the grocery store let me (a preferred customer) decorate the chicken for football pic.twitter.com/vXCGJ9wSFQ

— Conner O’Malley (@conner_omalley) September 30, 2019

What is the role of a store manager?

A store manager, also called a general manager (GM), is to be responsible for all aspects of running the store from hiring, firing, financial performance, store cleanliness and merchandising, and ensuring that all those under them are performing well in their areas.

Now when I did this job for Whole Foods Market (in several stores in multiple states), they call this role Store Team Leader.

But no matter what you call it or what company you work for, here are the basic principals of running a grocery store:

• In charge of all hiring, firing, supervising, promotion, and reprimanding
• Making sure every customer has the best experience possible
• Responsible for growing the store sales as well as managing profit and loss
• Helping ensure the company follows all legalities in both HR and financial practices
• Fostering good morale in the store with your employees
• Ensuring your store has plenty of products to sell and is well-merchandised

Now, of course, there is a lot of detail that goes into those things (and we’ll get into that below).

But those are the basic core principals. If you own your own store, that will obviously give you more freedom and flexibility in certain areas, but also has it’s own unique headaches too.

In the end, while there is always some politics and bureaucracy involved in working for ANY company, I enjoyed my time as Store Team Leader for Whole Foods Market. It was a great job, a sometimes demanding, frustrating, and tiring job.

But running a successful grocery store is a great job nonetheless.

I dive a little deeper into some of the specifics of how to run a successful grocery store in a recent article. After all, not everyone is cut out to do this job, and many aren’t great at it (but do it anyway).

One of the biggest misconceptions is about whether the boss has to be the best at everything to be successful. Just click that link to read more on my site.

Halifax Heroes: Cole Harbour grocery store manager leading the way for inclusive hiring https://t.co/SIsVwyMXMi pic.twitter.com/9364FedZXp

— The Star Halifax (@thestarhalifax) July 9, 2017

How do you manage a supermarket successfully?

A grocery store manager may need to perform any or all of the following tasks:

• Operate a forklift
• Take injured employees to the hospital
• Cashier
• Stock groceries
• Go to unemployment hearings at state offices
• Clean up spills
• Mediate arguments between employees
• Review financial reports and take action when necessary
• Resolve issues with upset customers
• Hire, discipline, and fire employees as needed

As a grocery store manager, you have to wear a lot of hats.

So this is not a job for someone unable or unwilling to just do whatever is necessary at the moment to keep the store going.

So you have to be prepared for anything. Each day brings new and different needs and challenges, and even the most prepared person can’t predict everything that might happen.

So be flexible, be open-minded, be easy-going as this can be a stressful job and you losing your cool will only make everything worse. You should also be prepared for some long hours, and evenings and weekends. Sure, once you really get a store dialed in with a great team behind you, you can work a somewhat more regular schedule.

But this is NOT a Mon-Fri 9 to 5 world.

Cory Booker looks like the cool manager at a grocery store who steps in to do some bagging when the lines are getting long pic.twitter.com/I8nE1U6vni

— Ed MD (@notdred) February 24, 2019

How do you become a grocery store manager?

A grocery store manager minimally needs to have a high school diploma, although some grocery chains may require a college degree. You should also have at least 4 years of retail leadership experience, preferably in a grocery store.

I worked my way up at Whole Foods Market, starting at $4.25 an hour as a stocking clerk.

When I started, I had no degree or prior experience, I just learned as I went. I paid close attention to the people who were successful in their jobs and what they were doing. I emulated, adapted, and grew my knowledge and skills.

Now some companies may require a degree; Whole Foods does not.

But degree or not, there is some definite education and experience you’ll need to run a grocery store. And some companies DO require a degree.

Luckily, I break it all down in a recent article, including the requirements of all the top grocery chains.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Even if they don’t require a degree, some stores may only hire seasoned store managers from outside the company. But I believe working your way up provides you with the best skillset and understanding of the role. After all, you will eventually be managing people in those entry-level roles, so what better way to lead them than to have done that job yourself.

The people I most often saw fail in their leadership roles were people who came in from outside the company who tried to tell everyone what to do without a clear understanding of what those roles were like.

So with your company, find out what the requirements are to become a grocery store manager. Then work your way down the list figuring out what you need to learn. They’ll appreciate your initiative and you’ll have a roadmap of how to get where you want to get.

Most likely you’ll need to start as a department manager or even assistant department manager.

Then after a couple of years as a department manager, start applying for assistant store manager jobs. Eventually, you’ll get that coveted grocery store manager job. If you work for a company like Whole Foods that has hundreds of stores across the US and beyond, it also helps to be flexible.

By that I mean, I was willing to move where my bosses wanted me to go.

I worked in 9 stores (1 store at 2 different times) in 4 states in my 20+ year career with Whole Foods, and I know my flexibility and willingness to sacrifice helping in getting those promotions.

Robbery suspect strikes Union Springs grocery store! Manager remained calm with a gun at his side. pic.twitter.com/PW1WRMBDM9

— Bryan Henry (@BryanHenryWSFA) September 22, 2014

What are the typical duties of a grocery store manager daily?

On a day-to-day basis, a grocery store manager will walk their store to ensure cleanliness & fullness. They will check in with employees, may prepare bank deposits, in addition to responding to emails, revieing financial performance, and setting goals with their assistant(s) and department managers.

But bear in mind every day in the life of a grocery store manager can be different. Also, know that each company may have different systems for doing things.

But I’ll describe what my days were like, on average, over my 15 years or so in store management positions for Whole Foods.

Then I’ll breakdown duties in categories below so we can get specific.

Also, know that at Whole Foods at least, store managers are asked to work at least some evening and weekend shifts. But often, while we do sometimes end up staying late, grocery store managers go in early; anywhere from 5-7 am in a lot of cases.

I would start my morning shift, before the store opened, by doing a quick walk through the store checking in and saying hi to the opening crews. Then, I would go to my office and start by checking emails and seeing if there any new priorities to the day I might not have been aware of.

Many companies and Whole Foods was no exception, LOVE emails, and my inbox would be flooded daily, often with ones, I could instantly delete (I know who you are, reply-all people!). But it still takes time each day to go through emails.

Shortly before the store opening, I would do an opening announcement.

That would include how much time we had before the store opened, but also any shout outs if any departments had broken sales records, or if anyone had a recent promotion.

Then I would do a quick walk and make sure we were ready to open:

• Floors dry and clean
• Carpets down
• Case lights on
• No pallets on the sales floor
• All public doors unlocked and turned on (if electronic)

Then I would start my store walk, which I’ll detail below.

The latest in our Still at Workers series: a grocery store manager who asks his customers for patience. https://t.co/gvgkCJGafB pic.twitter.com/ckO7SwDl5J

— DCist (@DCist) July 19, 2020

Grocery Store Manager Merchandising duties

Ultimately, most larger stores will have department managers, and you, as the store manager, may have 1 or more assistant store managers.

However, the buck stops with you.

By that, I mean that you are ultimately responsible for your store, including how it looks. So walk your entire sales floor daily. And have your assistants do that every day you aren’t there.

As a store manager, I didn’t always build displays or stock shelves (but I did if we were shorthanded). But I would do a detailed store walk in the morning right around the opening of the store.

That way, I would see what our customers would see.

I took a shopping cart with me as you’d be amazed at how much trash, dented cans, pallet splinters and other debris you’ll find.

Depending on the size of the store, this could take anywhere from  30 minutes to 2 hours.

But it’s essential! You’ll see:

• Lots of employees you don’t always get to interact with
• Endcaps and displays missing sale signs
• Dust (bring a duster with you)
• Things your overnight floor crew or stockers moved and didn’t put back in the right place
• Poor quality fruits and vegetables in the produce department

And that’s just the beginning. Want to run an amazing grocery store? Do a detailed store walk every day.

If you are new to being a grocery store manager, or it’s your aspiration down the road, you may not know all the aspects of good merchandising to look for.

Luckily, I walk you through everything you need to know about great merchandising in a recent article. Whether you want to know how to build a display with a small amount of product or are confused about how many items should go ion a display, I’ve got you covered.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

How will companies contend with some of the biggest issues of our time like #AI and #automation, #diversity and #longevity, and #HR transformation? Find out: #FutureofWork https://t.co/QsYBn0699M pic.twitter.com/rHXNF5vV9O

— Sabrina Suman (@Auferstehen78) March 12, 2020

Grocery Store Manager HR duties

Large chains like Whole Foods where I worked have an in-store HR person and a regional HR team as well. So I never made big HR decisions by myself.

BUT, in a store with a couple of hundred employees, some things come up every day that need to be dealt with. While your department managers can document things like lateness or excessive absenteeism, you’ll want to step in on bigger issues.

The kinds of situations I’ve run into in HR include:

• Employees physically fighting
• Employee theft or sweethearting
• One employee verbally abusing another
• Sexual harassment 

And those are just a few of the issues that crop up regularly.

It’s important to deal with things quickly, consistently (meaning everyone including yourself is held to the same standard), and fairly.

For theft, I always went by the motto that theft is theft and it’s something that’s immediately fireable for whether it’s a $5.00 item or a $50 item. I still recall a conversation with a woman I was firing who stole a bottle of water.  She argued that it was inexpensive and I should give her a pass.

But in that store, with 250 employees, do I really want to be going around making judgment calls all day on how much is too much to steal and how much is not?

No is the answer you’re looking for.

Be firm, fair, and consistent. Have clear policies in procedures in place. Communicate clearly and without a lot of emotion. The employees who ARE following the rules will love you for it.

And those are the ones who are really getting it done for you each and every day.

I also mentioned sweethearting above.

Lots of people are confused about that, and whether it’s truly a crime or not. So I have a recent article where I break it down thoroughly.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Grocery Store Manager Sales and Profit duties

There are so many priorities to juggle.

If you don’t have happy employees, the customer service will suffer. If the customers aren’t happy, they’ll shop elsewhere. BUT, if your store isn’t profitable, it doesn’t matter how happy the employees and customers are.

Eventually, your company will fire you or demote you.

So you can’t forget about profit. It’s not priority #1, but it has to be high on the list. As the store manager, you will hold your department managers accountable for the profitability in their departments.

Depending on how you access your reports and how often they get updated, have a system for checking them regularly.

Here are some general recommendations of what to look for and how often:

Lots of people are confused about margins, markups, and how much profit a store, and the departments in it should make. Luckily, I break it all down simply and easily in a recent article.

I even show you the calculations to covert margin to markup and vice versa. Just click that link to read it on my site.

Grocery Store Manager Team Leadership role

You can’t be everywhere in your store.

And, you also can’t do every job. You aren’t the best at everything. So you need a solid team behind you. So your primary job, among all the other hats you wear, is to hire the best people for every job.

And hire for attitude, not skill.

Sure you don’t want to hire someone who’s never cut meat to be the head butcher. But you can’t take someone with a bad attitude and train them to be happy.

You can train anyone to be skilled at something.

Give them a clear job description and make sure they are clear on the goals for their job. Check-in often and give feedback. But once they know their job, know your goals for them, and are hitting them, get out of their way and don’t try and micromanage their job.

Rinse and repeat with all your key positions. 

Then get your department managers to run their departments in the same way. If you try and micromanage everything, you will lower the morale in your store, and productivity will grind to a halt if everything has to go through you.

Going back to what I said above about a bad attitude, make sure you deal with those employees swiftly.

Even the best grocery store manager will find themselves with 1 or 2 of these people no matter how good their hiring and screening process is.

Luckily, I walk you through everything you need to know about how to fire an employee with a bad attitude in a recent article.

Left unchecked, these 1 or 2 people can bring down the morale and efficiency of the whole store and if you don’t deal with it, all the other employees will lose respect for you.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

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— nrsnepal (@nrsnepal) March 11, 2020

What skills do you need to be a grocery store manager?

Here are the top skills a good grocery store manager needs:

• Time management and productivity
• Good communication skills
• The ability to stay calm under pressure
• Knowing when to make quick decisions and when to get a group consensus
• A keen eye for detail (especially in your store’s merchandising and cleanliness)
• A head for numbers (so you can keep track of your store’s performance and step in before problems get bigger)

I mentioned above that you have to be good at wearing many different hats.

So a good grocery store manager is a generalist, not a specialist. You will hire specialists for positions like:

• Wine Buyer
• Butcher
• Cheese Monger

But it’s not your job to be the expert at everything.

You do want to know a little bit about a lot of things. But you can’t be in all places at all times, so the most important skill you need is the ability to find, screen, hire, and mentor good people for the roles and positions under yours.

What makes a good store manager?

A good store manager knows how to treat people well; both employees & customers. They can balance the different priorities that come their way without getting overwhelmed, staying calm under pressure and not letting the tensions of the job get the best of them, or pass that tension on to the employees under them.

Now having said that, don’t mistake that for a lack of a sense of urgency.

There are times when you, as the store manager, need to act quickly and decisively. But that doesn’t mean rashly, emotionally, or in anger.

Next, make sure the rules apply to everyone, including yourself.

No one respects being reprimanded for something they saw someone else do and get away with. If you have double standards or think the rules don’t apply to you, your morale will plummet.

When morale problems happen, productivity suffers. Then customer service goes down. All of that WILL impact your sales, profitability, and could threaten your job.

Don’t do it.

The rules either apply to everyone, or they may as well apply to no one.

I once had a boss (not at Whole Foods) who thought it was OK to take products for himself without paying for it. He didn’t try to hide it, so guess what? Eventually, lots of the employees began to do it too.

After all, why is it OK for the boss to steal and not the employees?

We’ve been so consumed by everything going on that we almost forgot it was our wedding anniversary today. Our local grocery store manager gave us these. 😫😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/6J92rPO2Z1

— Amber Osborne (@MissDestructo) March 13, 2020

Do grocery store managers work on weekends?

Yes, is the short answer. At least the good ones.

Late afternoons and weekends are when your store is the busiest. So I never understood why some grocery store managers tried to get away with working Monday through Friday from 7 am to 3 pm.

If you, as the boss, are never there to see your store at it’s busiest, how can you gauge what’s working and what’s not working? If an employee brings a problem to your attention, you won’t have any firsthand knowledge of it.

You also won’t be interacting with the majority of your customers.

But most importantly, your employees won’t respect you. After all, you’re asking them to work evenings and weekends but aren’t willing to do it yourself.

No one likes double standards. And the morale, and then the productivity of your employees will go down. So don’t be afraid to get in the trenches with them.

You don’t have to work 24/7 and you don’t even have to be there both weekend days.

But work at least 1 or 2 shifts each week where you are there until at least 8 pm and work at least 1 weekend day most weeks.  You’ll see ALL sides of your store that way. You will also get to interact with more of your employees and customers.

And when problems come up, you will have likely already seen it yourself.

Did I cover everything you wanted to know about what grocery store managers do?

In this article, I took a look at the world of grocery store managers.

We examined how to become one, what makes a good one, and answered all the questions related to that. Specifically, we answered the question of what does a grocery store manager do.

Are you wanting to become a grocery store manager?

Beyond that, have you ever thought about owning your own grocery store?

If you have, make sure and check out a recent article where I break down how much grocery store owners make. After all, you don’t want to move in that direction if the salary potential doesn’t line up with your budget.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Are you looking to be a manager of a grocery store? Perhaps you’ve just been promoted to store manager and you’re not entirely sure what it takes to be successful at management? Don’t worry. Many have wondered how to run a successful grocery store.

Here’s what I know having done that for many years:

A great grocery store manager wears many hats and is not afraid to get their hands dirty and work alongside their team. They also focus on people first; both employees and customers. But being able to prioritize on the spot, be efficient with their time and stay calm under pressure are also essential.

But that only scratches the surface of what a great grocery store manager does.

As a manager, you’re going to carry a lot of weight on your shoulders. Grocery store managers oversee the day-to-day operations of grocery stores. They are in charge of every aspect of a store’s operations including supervising personnel, inventory and tracking financials.

What does it take to run a grocery store? How do you attract customers to your store? What, exactly, makes a good grocery store?

You have questions. I have the answers. Just keep reading.

Shopping safely: The challenges of managing a grocery store amid COVID-19 https://t.co/LoFahjDbgi pic.twitter.com/Ks7Zgd4r45

— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) April 19, 2020

What does it take to run a grocery store?

Running a grocery store is not for the faint of heart. Grocery store managers oversee the day-to-day operations of grocery stores.

They hire and train new employees, maintain employee schedules, and track inventory.

They also need to have good relationships with customers and vendors. Grocery store managers may also need to cover other positions when short-handed during shifts.

To get to the management level, you’ll need to understand your store’s products, pricing, and people. You’ll be responsible for handling finances and marketing. You’ll also need to make sure that your associates are properly trained.

More importantly, you’ll have to be able to juggle multiple priorities quickly, efficiently, and calmly.

In my 20+ year career with Whole Foods Market, there were many times where, in the space of minutes, I was alerted to 3 or more of the following scenarios:

• An employee had a serious cut that required medical attention
• A customer slipped, fell, and was injured
• Another customer was trying to return a large purchase without either a receipt or the product itself
• My regional boss was calling about a serious financial issue
• The local health inspector had come by due to a customer complaint
• A local news station showed up wanting to film a segment in our store about a controversial subject

If that happened, what would you do? How would you prioritize those issues? Would you crumble from the stress or get angry and lash out at those around you?

A good grocery store manager has to be calm under pressure at all times.

Grocery stores will require at least a high school diploma.

Many grocery stores prefer a four-year degree in a business-related field. All grocery stores will require a certain amount of experience and on-the-job training.

To read more about the education requirements, head over to this article I wrote that details the requirements for each of the major grocery chains.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Here’s a successful #grocery store who chose to #label #gmo and has happy #customers! @publix pic.twitter.com/j2JmvVTWeD

— Amy agricola (@Agricola_ent) April 27, 2014

How should the manager of a grocery store spend their time?

As a grocery manager, you’re responsible for all aspects of running the store. From supervising employees to maximizing profits. As a result, it’s important to make sure you are current on what it takes to run a store.

By putting in the time to keep current and become a better manager, you will advance your personal development and it will benefit your store, associates, and customers.

The number one thing a manager should do is keep learning, be humble, and never ask an employee to do a task they are unwilling to do themselves.

To get to the management position, you have shown that you are a good leader, understand grocery products, pricing, and people. Just understanding these things isn’t enough, though.

You have to understand how each department works, how the customers see the store, and what kinds of problems or roadblocks your employees may run into trying to do their job. The best way to do that is to spend time on the floor working alongside the employees in each department; even if it’s just for a short time.

That being said, a common misconception is that the boss has to be the best at everything.

You don’t. Hire people for each job who can do it better than you could. Ensure they get the training they need. Then you provide the motivation, encouragement, feedback and big-picture vision to keep them moving forward.

Be a leader. As a manager, your associates will look to you for guidance.

Set the example and keep the store clean. Greet customers and clean up spills. Support your associates by letting them learn from their mistakes and owning up to your own.

Finally, remember that communication is key. Talk to your associates for a few minutes per day to discuss any potential stocking issues, answer questions, and address any staffing needs.

Can adding a juice bar to your grocery store increase your profit? @HBC_Community thinks so. https://t.co/bjeZDDhzYX pic.twitter.com/9vIf6JpBO7

— DEQOnline (@DEQOnline) October 16, 2019

How can I make my grocery store more profitable?

Like salaries, profit margins can vary widely.

Larger grocery chains can operate with few employees, don’t typically have an in-house butcher or hand out samples. Their goal is to sell products at the lowest possible price and still make a profit. They will generally have a profit margin of 1 to 2 percent.

Smaller stores, natural food stores, or gourmet stores, however, may have a profit margin of 10 to 12 percent.

Why such a large gap and how do grocery stores set their profit margins? Luckily, I cover it all in a recent article.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

The profit margins on food items are much smaller compared to other businesses. This is because grocery items are a commodity. If you don’t like the price of an item at one store, you just go to another. Grocery stores are everywhere, so it’s not hard to find an item priced reasonably.

But the best ways to increase the profits at your store include:

1. Cross-merchandising

Cross-merchandising is when you combine items that naturally go together, like a display of pasta sauce, boxed pasta, and a bottle of wine, or olive oil, or balsamic vinegar.

How this helps with profitability is when you have 1 item that is a lower margin item but combine it with 1-2 items that are much higher margin.

Assuming most shoppers buy all the items you have grouped together, you’ll end up with a blended margin of all the items combined. Done correctly, you can often get that much higher than if you just had wine alone on your display.

I go a lot deeper into merchandising and how it impacts sales and profits in a recent article. I even cover the WRONG way to merchandise that can cut your sales in half.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

2. Putting your lowest-priced items at the ends of displays and aisles

A produce aisle that leads with conventional (non-organic) onions or bananas is naturally going to give the impression that the prices throughout the department are low.

By contrast, if you have an aisle that leads off with the most expensive item in the department, that will subconsciously imply that ALL your prices are expensive.

So lead with value and then allow then to discover the full range of your products as they go deeper into the store.

3. Tighten up your purchases so you aren’t over-buying

I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve taken over a store and gone into the backroom only to find enough products to stock a brand new store.

Let me be very clear. When we have too much stuff in back it WILL cost you money.

Every time you touch a product you lose money. When you have stuff in the backroom you’ve already paid an employee to take it off a truck, stock the shelves, and then take it to the back room. Then you have to pay them again, to stock the shelves again later.

It’s FAR more efficient just to go from truck to shelf. 

If your delivery schedule is sporadic or infrequent, you may have to stock up, but you should only have to order just enough product to not run out before the next delivery.

Plus, having a ton of stuff in the back increases your shrink, also called spoilage. That refers not only to products that go out of date or get stolen, but also just stuff that gets damaged. The more you move products, the more likely they are to get damaged.

Which leads me to . . .

4. Keeping a close eye on your shrink

Shrink refers to anything you have purchased that you aren’t able to sell. That could be:

• Items that are stolen
• Packages that go out of date
• Items that come in damaged (and can’t be credited to the vendor)
• Damaged goods caused by your employees
• Fresh produce, deli, meat, seafood items that go out of date or get spoiled

If you aren’t careful, your shrink can easily get out of control.

How much shrink is too much? That will vary by department, store, area of the country, and company. But a good rule of thumb for the store as a whole is about 3% of your total store sales.

Perishable departments like produce, dairy, meat, seafood, and deli will obviously have the highest shrink. So that’s where you should ensure you have good systems in place for tracking your shrink.

5. Have a way to repurpose bruised or damaged food items that are still edible

To be clear, I’m not talking about out of date items or anything with compromised quality.

But a bruised apple, while not visually appealing, can still work just fine in a juice bar. So train your teams to know the difference between shrink and items that aren’t quite up to snuff for display that are still just fine to eat.

Have a deli and some overripe avocados? Sounds like a great way to take something you might otherwise throw away and turn it into high-margin guacamole!

To learn more about whether it is profitable to own a grocery store, and what makes one store more profitable than another, head over to this recent article.

https://t.co/adE1XItNTJ

— Middle Class Dad (@middleclassdad1) February 10, 2020

What makes a good grocery store?

Think about the things that attract you to a grocery store.

Better yet, think about the things that keep you away from a grocery store. Customers are very loyal to stores and will drive right past certain stores to get to “their” store. Sometimes even a different location of the same chain.

1. Parking

Good grocery stores have decent parking, even when the store is busy.

The parking lots need to feel safe, have plenty of cart corrals, and (most importantly perhaps), wide parking spaces. We’ve all been in those parking lots designed for 1985 Honda Hatchbacks.

Today, more than ever, especially here in Texas where I live, people drive large cars. And tiny parking spaces that are hard to get into or get your doors dinged every time will send people to your competitors in droves if everything else is equal.

2. Aisle layout

They have nice, wide aisles that are full of options.

Shoppers don’t like to go to multiple stores to get what they need. As a result, good stores have healthy food options as well as junk food. They also have items for picky eaters and general household items like toilet paper and paper towels.

They also have things laid out in a way that makes sense and makes it easy to find what they want.

3. Competitive prices

Good grocery stores have competitive prices and run specials regularly.

But low prices aren’t the only thing that customers want. They also want super friendly staff and items that are easy to find. That’s why companies like Whole Foods Market have dominated despite not being the cheapest store in town.

If your prices are low, but your staff is unfriendly, or the store is confusing to navigate, customers won’t be thrilled with their shopping experience.

On the other hand, if your prices are a little higher, but you run really good deals and your staff is friendly, customers are likely to return regularly.

4. Properly staffed checkouts

Good grocery stores have plenty of staffed checkout lines and self-checkout lines.

Customers hate waiting in insanely long lines. Self-checkout lines can help reduce line length. They allow customers with just a few items to check themselves out and go about their day.

We all know that there are occasionally days when you get short-staffed and may have long lines. But that can’t be the norm. And the store manager needs to respond quickly when big lines form, even jumping in and cashiering if needed.

5. Store atmosphere

Think about stores you’ve been in.

Whole Foods is colorful. There’s usually lively music playing that’s NOT Muzak. Much of the time there are employees in the store offering free samples.

Sometimes there’s live music or events like when Maynard from Tool came to my store once to sample his brand of wine.

But beyond that, it’s not just linoleum floors and fluorescent lights in a stark white and bland environment. 

No the store designers, architects, and marketers at Whole Foods understand that the more comfortable, relaxing, and homey that they make the stores, the slower people will shop and the longer they will want to linger.

Bad for the parking lot. Good for the store sales as the longer someone is in the store, the more they are likely to spend more.

Let’s be honest. No one meets friends at Target or Walmart just to hang out.

But they do that all the time at Whole Foods. So if you want loyal fans who flock to your store and hang out with their friends, put some thought into the design, decor, colors, and atmosphere of your store.

6. Knowledgeable & friendly employees

Ultimately, this is more important than any of the above items.

As a store manager, I had to be able to count on my employees to treat every customer the way I would. When I was the GM of the large downtown Austin store, I had well over 600 employees!

More than 80 of them worked the overnight shift.

In fact, that was ultimately why that job was my least favorite job I held in my career at Whole Foods Market. There was just no way to really get to know my team members and build camaraderie.

I tried. But ultimately was only marginally successful.

You can sacrifice on prices, parking, and even the size and layout of your store. But if you don’t hire the best people you can find, train them well, work alongside them and have their back, your store will never fully succeed.

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We talked to COO Michael Suswal about AI, #datasecurity and the future of commerce. https://t.co/MdqDQC5HPW#eurocis #RetailTechnology pic.twitter.com/VfRt1JQFGC

— EuroCIS (@EuroCIS) February 10, 2020

How do supermarkets attract customers?

There are several ways to boost sales and increase customer loyalty at your store.

Advertising and loyalty programs can attract new customers and keep old ones. It’s important to gather data and analyze it to understand your customer base.

If customers are not having positive experiences at your store, they may not return. By gathering and analyzing data, you can rest assured that your customers are having positive experiences.

It’s important to frequently check the labels and expiration dates on your products. Incorrect messaging and expired products on your shelves can quickly damage your reputation as a reliable grocer.

The use of technology and digital advertising can increase sales.

For example, a grocery store app where customers can get their coupons and specials directly on their phone is a great way for grocery stores to embrace technology. Apps where customers can make grocery lists and see what items are in each aisle allow customers to navigate stores quickly and efficiently.

By embracing technology, grocery stores can keep up with trends while increasing engagement, customer outreach, and customer service.

Loyal customers that purchase more during their trip are the lifeblood of consumer foods. Getting existing customers to purchase more during a given shopping trip, is all about the appearance price.

For example, studies show that a two for $5 deal is more effective than a product being sold at $2.49 each. If you have a two for deal, you’re almost guaranteed that every customer will buy multiples. source

To attract new customers, it’s all about location and convenience.

People while widely shopping online, prefer to purchase food and beverages in-store.

Studies show that foot traffic to grocery stores peak at about 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. With this kind of insight and helpful location targeting, you can attract new customers and solidify relationships with existing customers.

For example, if your store is near a school, you’re likely to get that 4 p.m. foot traffic after parents have picked up their kids. Your strategically-located store will be the most convenient one on the way home from school.

It’s also important to understand that people shop at multiple locations for things they need.

They’ll shop at pharmacies, dollar stores, and convenience stores to get items at a lower price. By using technology and targeting the location of your customers, you can send strategically timed coupons and ads to drive them to your store.

(source)

Do you need college credits to be a warehouse worker? Can’t get your order from Amazon without them. Your burger at a chain. Your vegetables picked. Your grocery store clerk to check you out. Your assembly line worker. Most work doesn’t need a college degree. pic.twitter.com/II3KAIviRd

— Little Mariposa 🇺🇸 (@LittleMariposa) May 22, 2020

What degree do you need to be a grocery store manager?

Education requirements vary widely by grocery store chains. Some companies only require a high school diploma or GED. Others require a high school diploma but would prefer a four-year degree in business or some other related field.

The paragraphs below discuss the requirements of some of the most popular nearby grocery chains.

1. Walmart

While Walmart doesn’t require any formal education, they do expect you to have experience supervising employees and have some general management experience under your belt.

Because they sell firearms, Walmart also requires you to complete a general firearms training and pass a criminal background check. If they only sell ammunition you have to obtain a specialized certificate to sell ammunition.

2. Safeway

Safeway’s educational requirements consist of a college degree with six months of retail experience.

Otherwise, they require a combination of four years of college and retail experience. This could mean a two-year college degree combined with two years of retail/retail management. It could also mean that you are a high school graduate and have four years of retail/retail management experience.

3. Kroger

Kroger only requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. They also want you to be proficient in computer usage and have a lift truck certification or license.

Kroger prefers that you have a four-year degree in business or some related field. They also prefer that you have knowledge of the Fred Meyer policies, procedures, and organizational structure. This means that most likely they’re going to hire in-house because their in-house employees are the ones who are going to have the most solid knowledge of their policies.

Although Kroger’s minimum requirements are high school diploma or GED, they’re going to give preferential treatment to people with experience or a bachelor’s degree.

4. Trader Joes

Trader Joe’s does not have an education requirement, but they require 3 years of recent retail, restaurant or hospitality experience.

They also require two years of recent experience at the supervisory level. While they don’t require a bachelor’s degree, they do prefer that you have one.

Target’s educational requirement is that you have a four-year degree or equivalent experience.

5. Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods doesn’t have any educational requirements, but they do want you to be proficient in math. They also want you to have an understanding of computer applications and programs including things like Microsoft Office.

For a more thorough idea of the education a grocery store manager needs head over to this post on my blog. I not only cover basic education and experience you need to be a store manager, but I go store by store, showing the requirements of all the top companies in the US.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

The grocery store of the future; managing wait times using #PredictiveAnalyticshttps://t.co/2GGOX2565s pic.twitter.com/F3qM60aMwe

— PredictiveHire (@Predictive_Hire) November 9, 2015

How much do grocery store owners or managers make?

On average, grocery store owners make around $62,419/year according to Indeed.com. But there’s a lot that factors into that, such as:

• Location
• Size of store
• If it’s a franchise

Some grocery store owners, like a small specialty shop on the streets of NYC, for instance, might clear multiple 6 figures. By comparison, a Grocery Outlet store in a neighborhood that’s heavily reliant on food stamps might only earn $60,000/year.

Bear in mind too, it’s hard to get exact numbers from independent grocery stores that aren’t publically traded. There are no financial reporting requirements, nor are grocery store owner salaries listed on sites like GlassDoor.

Outside of Whole Foods (which I get into below since that’s my area of expertise), here are how store manager salaries stack up in other grocery stores, according to GlassDoor.

The salary will vary by location as well.

According to payscale.com, the average salary of a General Store Manager in South Carolina is $48,901. In New York City, the average salary is $89,819 per year.

While this may seem like a huge difference, the cost of living in NY is much higher than the cost of living in SC. If you’re looking to live comfortably as a General Manager, you’d be better off in SC.

In Denver, CO the average salary is $58,000, which is interesting, as the cost of living in Denver is also very high.

Warren and Sanders spread venom, but wealthy entrepreneurs benefit all of us. Grocery store Aldi’s owners got rich slashing prices and greatly aiding lower-income Europeans and Americans. https://t.co/3LwZrvXWjr pic.twitter.com/ojodk2AXQe

— Chris Edwards (@CatoEdwards) October 16, 2019

How Whole Foods Store Manager Salaries compare

I was a GM for Whole Foods Market for well over half of my 20+ year career. Whole Foods calls their GMs Store Team Leaders.

During that time, I ran 4 stores and was an Associate Store Team Leader (assistant GM) in 4 other stores.

On average, and bear in mind the last time I did this was in 2013, so it’s been a little while, I made in the low 6 figures. While I knew some store managers who made around $150,000 a year (salary plus bonuses), I never got that high.

Officially on their website today, Whole Foods lists the starting salary for their GMs as $99,000/year.

But while I’m sure things have changed since Amazon bought them, that’s most likely without bonuses. The bonus structure for Whole Foods Market store managers provided a quarterly bonus on top of their salary. The bonus was based on a somewhat complicated profitability calculation.

So while in a store that wasn’t doing well, that bonus could be nothing, I also knew store managers who bought brand new Jaguars with just 1 of them.

So for many, compared to the risk of being a grocery store owner, it makes sense to be a grocery store manager for a large company.

To learn more about the salaries of grocery store owners specifically, and the factors that play into various salaries, head on over to this article on my website. I get more into details on owner-operator salaries which can be different from working for large chains.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Did I cover all you wanted to know about what it takes to run a successful grocery store?

Running and/or building a grocery store can be very lucrative if the location is right.

However, it is a lot of work. Grocery store managers carry a lot of weight on their shoulders. Not only are they responsible for day-to-day operations, but they’re also responsible for personnel issues and helping the company reach long-term goals.

They need to be able to communicate effectively with customers and staff. Successful grocery stores keep up with current shopping trends. They focus on prices as well as the entire shopping experience.

In the end, a great grocery store manager needs to be a jack of all trades, focus on people, be calm under pressure, and willing to move quickly from one task to another.

Photo credits which require attribution:

Grand Central Market New York by cogito ergo imago is licensed under CC2.0