Landing a Store Manager position at Morrisons can be a defining moment in your retail management career. As one of the UK’s top supermarket chains, Morrisons expects its managers to lead with integrity, efficiency, and a customer-first mindset. The role involves overseeing all operations within the store, including staff management, sales performance, inventory control, and delivering excellent customer service. Store Managers play a crucial part in meeting business objectives and ensuring the brand’s standards are consistently upheld.
Typically, the salary for a Morrisons Store Manager ranges from £45,000 to £65,000 per year, depending on experience, store size, and performance bonuses. With significant responsibilities come opportunities for growth, leadership development, and impactful decision-making.
To help you prepare, here are the top 20 Morrisons Store Manager interview questions with strong sample answers:
Tell us about your experience in retail management.
Answer: “I’ve worked in retail for over 10 years, with the last 5 in a store management role at [Previous Company]. I managed teams of 50+ staff, improved store KPIs by 20%, and was responsible for P&L accountability, inventory control, and customer service improvements.”
How would you handle an underperforming employee?
Answer: “I believe in a supportive yet firm approach. I’d first have a one-on-one to identify the root cause—whether it’s training, morale, or workload—and then create a performance improvement plan with clear goals and regular feedback.”
Describe a time when you exceeded your store targets.
Answer: “At [Previous Store], we surpassed our Q3 sales goal by 18% through strategic promotional planning, increasing high-margin product visibility, and coaching staff on upselling techniques.”
How do you manage stock availability and wastage?
Answer: “I track trends using POS data, collaborate with the supply chain, and ensure accurate ordering. I also lead regular audits and implement FIFO (First-In, First-Out) to reduce wastage.”
What would you do if customer service ratings were falling?
Answer: “I’d investigate feedback data, hold team meetings to identify pain points, re-train staff on service protocols, and launch a customer engagement initiative to re-establish rapport.”
How do you lead and motivate your team?
Answer: “I lead by example, ensure clear communication of goals, recognize achievements publicly, and create development opportunities that align with individual strengths.”
Tell me about a conflict you’ve had with a colleague or team member.
Answer: “At one point, a supervisor disagreed with a scheduling decision. I invited them to discuss their concerns and found a compromise that met both staff needs and business objectives.”
How do you prioritise tasks on a busy day?
Answer: “I use a priority matrix—urgent vs. important—to delegate tasks effectively, deal with customer-impacting issues first, and review progress midday to ensure everything stays on track.”
What KPIs do you focus on as a Store Manager?
Answer: “Sales growth, conversion rates, basket size, shrinkage, customer satisfaction scores, and employee turnover are all key metrics I review weekly and act upon.”
Describe your approach to health and safety in-store.
Answer: “Health and safety are non-negotiable. I conduct regular risk assessments, ensure team compliance with policies, and maintain training records to meet legal obligations.”
How do you ensure great visual merchandising?
Answer: “I follow corporate guidelines while tailoring displays to local customer preferences. I review footfall data to optimize layout and conduct regular walk-throughs with the team.”
What’s your leadership style?
Answer: “Transformational and collaborative. I inspire my team with a shared vision while empowering them with autonomy and responsibility.”
How do you manage poor store performance?
Answer: “I conduct a root-cause analysis using KPIs, identify where the store is falling short—staff, stock, customer service—and create a recovery plan with clear milestones.”
Why do you want to work at Morrisons?
Answer: “Morrisons’ commitment to fresh food, local sourcing, and customer-first values resonates with me. I admire the company’s focus on innovation and community impact.”
How would you handle a customer complaint about a staff member?
Answer: “I’d listen empathetically to the customer, thank them for the feedback, and assure them of a follow-up. Then I’d speak privately with the staff member, review what happened, and decide on appropriate action or training.”
How do you stay updated on retail trends?
Answer: “I subscribe to industry newsletters, attend webinars, follow key thought leaders, and regularly review competitor strategies.”
Tell us about a successful team initiative you led.
Answer: “I launched a ‘Customer First Week’ in my previous store where each day focused on one area—greeting, upselling, problem-solving—which boosted our customer satisfaction scores by 12%.”
How would you manage scheduling during peak periods?
Answer: “I use forecasting tools and past data to prepare schedules, build in flexibility, cross-train staff, and create a contingency plan for unexpected absences.”
What are your strengths as a Store Manager?
Answer: “Strong leadership, analytical thinking, team development, and a relentless focus on customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.”
Do you have any questions for us?
Suggested question: “What are the key challenges this store is currently facing, and how would you define success in the first 90 days for a new Store Manager?”
Final Interview Coaching Tips:
Practice STAR-format answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for competency-based questions.
Research Morrisons’ core values, recent news, and local community initiatives.
Dress smartly and arrive early. Confidence is key, but humility and authenticity go a long way.
Prepare 2-3 tailored questions to ask at the end of the interview.
Be ready to back up your achievements with data and examples.
Remember: Every great store is led by someone who brings energy, resilience, and vision. With preparation and the right mindset, that someone could be you.
Good luck — and go in ready to lead!
