Retail and wholesale buyers
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. Retail and wholesale buyers who are supervisors and those who are assistants are included in this unit group.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 2
Skill Level
NB, BC, NS
Top Provinces
What They Do
- 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.
Qualifications
- checkA university degree or college diploma in business, marketing or a related program is usually required.
- checkCompletion of secondary school is required.
- checkPrevious work experience in retail or wholesale establishments is usually required.
- checkSupervisors and senior buyers require experience in the occupation supervised or in a particular merchandise line.
Market Outlook by Province
New Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Good for retail and wholesale buyers (NOC 62101) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Educational requirements for these positions are typically higher than in other areas of retail and wholesale trade and candidates will typically possess degrees in business, marketing, supply chain and logistics management or related programs. Additional certifications (such as the Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) Designation Program) are also an asset. Employers may also prefer candidates who have industry experience—for instance, a medical supplies purchaser would benefit from experience within the health care sector. Warehousing/distribution facilities are typically located in larger cities or in geographically centred regions where large number of stores/clients are within reach. As such, more opportunities are likely in larger urban areas such as Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John.Here are some key facts about retail and wholesale buyers in New Brunswick: Approximately 700 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Retail and wholesale buyers mainly work in the following sectors: Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 50%Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 24%Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 10%Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 8% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 74% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 26% compared to 16% for all occupations56% of retail and wholesale buyers work all year, while 43% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.10% of retail and wholesale buyers are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 56% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 44% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 15% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 49% compared to 30% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 15% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 7% compared to 16% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
British Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for retail and wholesale buyers (NOC 62101) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about retail and wholesale buyers in British Columbia: Approximately 4,700 people work in this occupation. Retail and wholesale buyers mainly work in the following sectors: Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 49%Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 19%Food and beverage stores (NAICS 445): 9% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 74% compared to 78% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 26% compared to 22% for all occupations62% of retail and wholesale buyers work all year, while 38% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.9% of retail and wholesale buyers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 44% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 56% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 7% compared to 8% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 38% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 20% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 20% compared to 22% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 6% compared to 12% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for retail and wholesale buyers (NOC 62101) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about retail and wholesale buyers in Nova Scotia: Approximately 650 people work in this occupation. Retail and wholesale buyers mainly work in the following sectors: Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 39%Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 28%Food and beverage stores (NAICS 445): 9%Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 8% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 81% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 19% compared to 18% for all occupations54% of retail and wholesale buyers work all year, while 46% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.9% of retail and wholesale buyers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 54% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 46% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 16% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 41% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 11% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 17% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 62101 openings right now.
Hallmark
4 active roles · Prince George, BC · Westbank, BC
Brand Momentum
4 active roles · Toronto, ON · Richmond Hill, ON
Merchandising Consultants Associates
3 active roles · Smithers, BC · Shippagan, NB
Marketing
2 active roles · Montreal, QC · Kapuskasing, ON
Home Depot
2 active roles · Gloucester, ON · Sarnia, ON
Carlton Cards
2 active roles · Taber, AB · Montreal, QC
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Search Retail and wholesale buyersarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Negotiating and Persuading
to negotiate contracts and coordinate with suppliers to ensure the right products are purchased at the best prices and shipped at the correct times
Management of Financial Resources
to acquire the essential goods while optimizing costs to ensure sustained profitability
Verbal Ability and Speech Clarity
to clearly discuss terms of agreements to avoid misunderstandings and ensure agreements are mutually understood
Deductive Reasoning
to review past sales data and identify patterns to determine which products are likely to sell well in the future
Collaboration
to collaborate with merchandising teams to align product selection with marketing strategies, store layouts and promotions
Knowledge in Mathematics
to understand retail and wholesale budgets to calculate the cost of goods and monitoring expenses
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