- Volunteer with a Food Bank, Soup Kitchen and Wildlife Trust
- Enjoy cycling, martial arts, gym, teach axe throwing and indoor target shooting
Darren G Robson
Durham,Tyne and Wear
Summary
Former Argos Store Manager and Regional Performance Coach with expertise in driving confidence and self-belief in coachees.
Specialising in Business and Personal Development, enhancing skills and abilities across various categories for individuals and groups.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Duty Manager
Weird Fish
Dalton Park
03.2025 - Current
- Supported team members in building confidence and self-belief.
- Led by example, demonstrating exceptional customer service and encouraging staff to deliver the same high standards.
- Maintained professional demeanour in customer interactions, answered concerns and resolved problems with friendly and knowledgeable approach.
- Fostered a positive work environment, motivating staff to achieve personal and team targets.
- Lead by example in delivering first-class service, uplifting overall team performance in customer satisfaction surveys.
- Collaborated with the management team to develop strategic plans for sales improvement and cost reduction.
Store Manager & Regional Performance Coach
Sainsbury’s Argos
Seaham
04.2015 - 04.2021
- Managed store operations and supported regional team development projects.
- Delivered retail academy training to junior management.
- Assisted in improving store efficiency and achieving key performance indicators.
- Executed merchandising standards and cost control.
- Facilitated colleague recruitment and training.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety standards.
- Shadowed general merchandise manager during COVID-19 store closures.
- Managed day-to-day store operations, including stock levels, staff rotas, and customer service standards.
- Handled customer complaints, offering resolutions that maintained satisfaction and loyalty.
- Managed store budget, controlling expenses to ensure financial targets were met.
- Stored stock safely and securely to maintain quality of goods.
- Oversaw inventory management, reducing stock loss through effective control measures.
- Actioned customer feedback to improve product and service provisions.
- Merchandised displays to showcase new and popular items.
- Prepared detailed reports on store performance, presenting findings to senior management for strategic planning.
- Coached employees on upselling techniques, significantly increasing average transaction value.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, setting objectives and targets for individual team members.
- Hit sales targets by seeking opportunities for operational expansion and new customer acquisition.
- Analysed sales data to identify trends, forecast demand, and adjust product ordering accordingly.
- Implemented visual merchandising strategies to enhance product visibility and drive sales.
- Fostered a culture of excellence, inspiring staff to exceed customer expectations and achieve sales objectives.
Store Manager
Argos
Washington
10.2012 - 04.2015
Store Manager Silverlink
Argos
Silverlink
04.2005 - 04.2012
Store Manager
Argos
South Shields
05.1998 - 10.2002
Infrastructure Upgrade Co-ordinator
Argos
National
09.1990 - 07.1998
Undergraduate Sales Administrator
Colab Photo Laboratories
Coventry
09.1990 - 07.1998
Sales Manager
Argos
Newcastle
09.1994 - 10.1995
Stock Manager Argos
Argos
Ashington
05.1993 - 09.1994
Graduate Trainee Argos HO
Argos
Milton Keynes
04.1992 - 05.1993
Recruitment Consultant
KW Associates
Newcastle
09.1991 - 03.1992
Education
BA (Hons) - Business Studies
University of Sunderland
Management Development -
Leeds University
Customer Listening Skills
The Piper School of Management
ManchesterLeadership & Personal Effectiveness
Training in Action
ExeterSkills
- Performance coaching, building self confidence and self belief
- Team building and management
- Marketing strategies
- Customer service
- Team leadership
- Staff development
- Strategic planning
- Payroll administration
- Schedule management
- Inventory control
- Customer service excellence
- Merchandising techniques
- Front desk operations
- Cash handling skills
- Retail management
- Microsoft Excel proficiency
- Sales expertise
- Cost control
- Conflict resolution
- Staff motivation
- Operational efficiency
- Team engagement
- Change implementation
Certification
- Leadership & Personal Effectiveness, Training in Action, Exeter
- Customer Listening Skills, The Piper School of Management, Manchester
- Food Handler Certification, Sunderland
Interests
Timeline
Duty Manager
Weird Fish
03.2025 - Current
Store Manager & Regional Performance Coach
Sainsbury’s Argos
04.2015 - 04.2021
Store Manager
Argos
10.2012 - 04.2015
Store Manager Silverlink
Argos
04.2005 - 04.2012
Store Manager
Argos
05.1998 - 10.2002
Sales Manager
Argos
09.1994 - 10.1995
Stock Manager Argos
Argos
05.1993 - 09.1994
Graduate Trainee Argos HO
Argos
04.1992 - 05.1993
Recruitment Consultant
KW Associates
09.1991 - 03.1992
Infrastructure Upgrade Co-ordinator
Argos
09.1990 - 07.1998
Undergraduate Sales Administrator
Colab Photo Laboratories
09.1990 - 07.1998
BA (Hons) - Business Studies
University of Sunderland
Management Development -
Leeds University
Customer Listening Skills
The Piper School of Management
Leadership & Personal Effectiveness
Training in Action