“Becoming Store Manager was the biggest experience of my life”

At age 25, Kristóf Kasza is now Store Manager in a store in Vizafogó in the northern part of Budapest, Hungary. His first visit to JYSK was at the job interview.

Kristóf Kasza’s journey started in a JYSK store in Eger where he began his career as a part-time Store Assistant while he was studying to become a teacher. Later on, he decided to join JYSK full-time as a Sales Assistant. 

It was his boss at the time, Store Manager Niki Raschné Ferenc, who offered him the opportunity to participate in JYSK’s Store Manager Trainee (SMT) programme.

His greatest memory with JYSK is the day he got the phone call and was asked to manage the store in Vizafogó.

“I owe a huge thanks to Niki, my previous Store Manager in Eger. She motivated me and helped me gain confidence in the idea that I could be a Store Manager. I did not imagine going this far this fast,” says Kristóf. 

Challenging start

When Kristóf received the keys to the store in Budapest, a large responsibility followed. He had to gain the acceptance from the employees in the store and increase sales numbers, which at the time were not great.

“Even though it was a difficult time and a tough start for me, all employees in the store stayed with me, and together we managed to improve the store. It has really been a team effort.”

Although the job as Store Manager does require some administrative work, this is not Kristóf’s favourite part of the job.

“I prefer being in the store and doing the daily tasks, and I have my own area that I am responsible for, duvets and pillow. I do not like to lead the team from my desk. The best part of my job is motivating and coaching my colleagues,” he says.  

Biggest experience

Besides having to move 150 kilometres from the countryside in Hungary to the capital city of Budapest for his new job, the new title also had a personal impact on him.

“Becoming a Store Manager has been the biggest experience of my life. I did not have any retail experience beforehand, and I never finished my final exam in my studies, so I never imaged that I could have my own store someday.”

It takes patience and dedication to get there, Kristóf continues.

“It is important to be proactive and show your colleagues and your manager that you are willing to go the extra mile,” says Kristóf.

Plans for the future

In the future, Kristóf dreams of joining JYSK’s District Manager Trainee programme. But first he wants to focus all his energy on the store.

“I am very proud of the store and my team. We have increased sales profit and improved a lot. My goal for now is to stabilise the store and the results together with my colleagues,” he says.