Retail buyers plan, select, manage and acquire goods and merchandise to stock inventories inside stores and web outlets. They also review current supplies to ensure they’re in good quality, as well as source new products to remain competitive in a tough sector.
40hweek
Full Time
Standard business hours
Retail buyers typically work more reasonable and reliable hours than somebody else employed in a brick-and-mortar store. That said, they can expect to work a standard a 9-to-5 schedule.
As a retail buyer, you will primarily work inside a store or other corporate locations, but you can expect plenty of local and international travel to meet suppliers, test out new products and attend industry conferences.
$37k
$63k
$100k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Undergraduate
DVM / VMD degree
4years
To become a retail buyer, you will generally need to possess a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, marketing or supply management. That said, it’s also possible to enter this profession with previous hands-on experience in the retail sector.
Although not required, gaining certification – such as the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) offered by the American Purchasing Society (APS) – can increase your job prospects.
-7%
-32k
29%
With experience, you can work your way into category development, contracts specialist, importing and exporting, and procurement management.