Retail buyer jobs

Job description

A retail buyer is an employee whose duties include the planning, selection, and acquisition of quantities of commodities and items for sale in retail establishments. They look for new items and reevaluate the ones they already have in order to guarantee that their products are competitive. The vast majority of buyers, including those who work in large department stores, have a tendency to specialize in one product type (for example, clothes, fashion accessories, food and drink, books, furniture, electrical items, or household goods), whereas buyers who work for smaller stores tend to purchase a wider variety of goods.

Occupational pursuits

coordinating with the many vendors we already work with and negotiating new contracts

locating and establishing working relationships with potential new suppliers

Finding new suppliers and making product choices with the use of catalogs, as well as local, national, and worldwide trade shows and events

Keeping an eye on how the market is changing as well as the pricing and goods of competitors

Conducting research on historical purchasing behavior in order to forecast future shifts in consumer purchasing patterns

It is recommended to hold clearance deals and switch up supply schedules in order to better manage stock levels.

Introducing new product lines to retail store managers

Providing support to visual merchandisers in the process of shop layout development to help promote important lines

Collaborating with the advertising department in order to provide promotional opportunities for sales.

Conditions of employment

Travel: depending on the product, travel may be a regular aspect of the work, and during the purchasing season, this may include traveling internationally to attend trade fairs and other events (this is especially true for fashion buyers). During the off-season for retail sales, employees in this role typically work from an office setting, but they may sometimes be needed to visit retail locations.

Work hours: despite the fact that the job sometimes requires travel, which might entail working some nights and weekends, buyers often work the same hours each day, Monday through Friday.

Location: mostly in the nation's major metropolitan areas and other significant cities.

Opportunities for self-employment: not prevalent.

Common types of employers

Large department stores

Supermarkets

Retailers belonging to a chain that focus on a certain product category (eg electrical goods, fashion outlets)

Bookshops

artisanal boutiques

Stores that sell gifts

Newsagents

Home improvements/DIY

Home furnishings and movable furniture

Organizations that sell goods via the mail

Internet merchants.

Career development

Even though there are prospects for advancement in this field, the competition is quite fierce. There is room for advancement from the position of junior or trainee buyer to that of assistant buyer and then all the way up to senior buyer. It's possible that relocating or hiring moving firms may be required for growth.

Skills and traits

business savvy and a genuine enthusiasm for the industry and the items it produces

A comprehension of the factors that influence particular consumers to purchase certain items

The ability to negotiate, exert influence, and network effectively, along with the confidence to do so.

Creativity and careful attention to detail are essential.

Abilities to prioritize and do many tasks at once

Excellent capabilities in analysis as well as the capacity to make important choices.

Emphasis on the customer

Collaboration and leadership abilities are required.

talents in computing and mathematics.