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Retail buyer

Find exciting new products that people want to buy and negotiate to sell them in the shops you work for.

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£346

Entry level

£962

Experienced

Monthly

£1,500

Entry level

£4,167

Experienced

Yearly

£18,000

Entry level

£50,000

Experienced

3,800

people are currently employed

High growth

200 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

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.

Hours

You may work standard office hours, Monday to Friday, though tight deadlines can often mean working late. Most jobs tend to be full-time.

Environment

You would be office-based.

Travel

You would travel widely to meet suppliers and attend trade fairs, sometimes abroad. A driving licence and car could be useful.

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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.

    Here are some of the 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.

    Discover skills

    Getting in

    Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

    You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

    Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

    Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

    • Art and Design

    • Business

    • Fashion and Textile Technology

    • 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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