Retail buyer
Find exciting new products that people want to buy and negotiate to sell them in the shops you work for.
About the job
What it's like
You would find exciting new products that you think people will want to buy. You’d negotiate with suppliers to sell them in the shops or retail organisation you work for.
You’d need to be able to spot future trends. You’d need to work out what your customers are likely to want and the prices they are willing to pay. It would be important to understand your shop’s customers and what motivates them to buy certain things.
Most buyers specialise in one product type, for example, clothes, homewares or food and drink.
You would:
Analyse trends and consumer buying patterns
Go to trade fairs or fashion shows to find new products and suppliers
Choose product ranges
Judge product quality and get customer feedback
Place orders with suppliers and negotiate prices and delivery contracts
Present products to colleagues and write reports
Track sales performance figures
Monitor what other shops are doing
Take action to maximise sales and minimise losses
Within a retail organisation, you'd be responsible for one area, category or brand, such as footwear, cosmetics, or beers and wines.
You would work closely with retail merchandisers, visual merchandisers, designers and marketing staff.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- analysing
- negotiating
- attention to detail
- researching
- working with numbers
- verbal communication
- networking
- cooperating
- building relationships
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Art and Design
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Business
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Fashion and Textile Technology (Home economics)
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Skills for Work: Retailing
There is no single entry route to this profession.
Many employers look for Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or a degree (SCQF level 9/10) in areas such as:
Retail
Marketing
Business management
Employers also value relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Retail (SVQ level 2/3).
You can enter a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a degree in Retail Management or Marketing (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers at B or above or a relevant HNC/HND.
With a relevant degree and work experience you may be able to access a management training scheme.
Entry to this profession is highly competitive and many jobs are in company head offices based in London and the South of England.
Qualifications and experience in customer services and sales such as Skills for Work Retailing (SCFQ level 5) may also be of value when applying to courses or entry level sales jobs.
Relevant work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in:
Retailing (SVQ level 2/3)
Procurement (SVQ level 3)
Supply Chain Management (SVQ level 3/4)
Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) qualifications will be particularly relevant.
Previous sales experience, purchase and supply knowledge is often essential
The ability to meet targets is often essential
You will also need a driving licence for some jobs.
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