Retail and Wholesale Buyers
(NOC 6222)
in All Sales and ServiceRetail and wholesale buyers buy merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments and are usually responsible for the merchandising operations of retail or wholesale establishments. This would include developing sales projections, plans for displaying the goods, and point-of-sale advertising. Retail and wholesale buyers who are supervisors and those who are assistants are included in this group.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Sales and Service
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow slightly over the next few years, which should provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Retail and Wholesale Buyers may either be working full-time or part-time hours. With employment conditions being somewhat seasonal, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year affect some workers.
The median employment income for 51% of Retail and Wholesale Buyers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $33,735. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$11.55
Minimum$16.25
Median$29.44
MaximumAnnual Pay
$4,288
Minimum$24,877
Median$60,883
MaximumCompared to: All Sales and Service
Hourly Pay
$11.55
Minimum$12.50
Median$21.17
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,949
Minimum$16,629
Median$45,086
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Retail and wholesale buyers buy merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments and are usually responsible for the merchandising operations of retail or wholesale establishments. This would include developing sales projections, plans for displaying the goods, and point-of-sale advertising. Retail and wholesale buyers who are supervisors and those who are assistants are included in this group.
Job duties
Retail and wholesale buyers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Purchase merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments.
- Review requirements of establishment and determine quantity and type of merchandise to purchase.
- Study market reports, trade periodicals and sales promotion materials and visit trade shows, showrooms, factories and product design events.
- Select the merchandise which best fits the establishment's requirements.
- Interview suppliers and negotiate prices, discounts, credit terms and transportation arrangements.
- Oversee distribution of merchandise to outlets and maintain adequate stock levels.
- Establish and maintain contact with suppliers.
- May supervise the work of other retail buyers. // Retail and wholesale buyers may specialize in a particular merchandise line.
Sample job titles
- assistant buyer
- food buyer
- livestock buyer
- merchandiser
- pharmaceuticals buyer
- produce buyer
- retail buyer
- retail merchandiser
- senior buyer - retail or wholesale
- wholesale buyer
Skills
To work in this field you need excellent communication and negotiation skills. The ability to analyze complex information accurately and quickly is necessary for decision-making. Computer skills would be a definite asset.
Job requirements
- Completion of high school is required.
- A university degree or college diploma in business, marketing or a related program is usually required.
Other considerations
Previous work experience in retail or wholesale establishments is usually required. Retail and wholesale buyers may specialize through experience or product-related training courses. Supervisors and senior buyers require experience in the job supervised or in a particular merchandise line. Progression to management positions in retail trade, sales, marketing or advertising is possible with additional training or experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Sales and Service
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Southern
Cape Breton
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Retail Trade
Wholesale Trade
Food and Beverage Product Manufacturing
Other Professional Services
Transportation and Warehousing
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Sales and Service
25-34
35-44
55-64
Top levels of education
High school
$42,968 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$61,546 median annual incomeLess than high school
$56,315 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$73,817 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$55,661 median annual incomeCompared to: All Sales and Service
High school
$12,982 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$19,514 median annual incomeLess than high school
$9,486 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$20,807 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$18,797 median annual incomeEducation & training
Business administration and management - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. These programs include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
Institutions providing this program
45 Ochterloney Street, Suite 100
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N6
(902) 463-6700
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Unit 37, 115 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1B3
(877) 491-6774
Business administration, management and operations - Other
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program not listed above that relates to Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Business/commerce - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. The program prepares individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Logistics and materials management
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to manage and coordinate all logistical functions in an enterprise, ranging from acquisitions to receiving and handling, through internal allocation of resources to operations units, to the handling and delivery of output. These programs include courses in acquisitions and purchasing, inventory control, storage and handling, just-in-time manufacturing, logistics planning, shipping and delivery management, transportation, quality control, resource estimation and allocation, and budgeting.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Marketing/marketing management - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to undertake and manage the process of developing consumer audiences and moving products from producers to consumers. These programs include courses in buyer behaviour and dynamics, principles of marketing research, demand analysis, cost-volume and profit relationships, pricing theory, marketing campaign and strategic planning, market segments, advertising methods, sales operations and management, consumer relations, retailing, and applications to specific products and markets.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Employment requirements & contacts
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