Back in the 90's when I became a BA i came to the BA role through first being an operations chump that used to annoy the management by constantly recommending process imrpovements.  (Constantly.  I really annoyed them, but was also annoyingly often right.) 

At the time many of the other business analysts had come across from management or subject matter expert roles (thing specialist report producers or specialist process owners as an example.)

That was then and it was in Australia.  Things are different now and you are in the US.

However you could consider leveraging your retail management position by seeking a job at head office (if its a chain) or with one of your larger suppliers.  Don't think all analysts come to the job via IT.