Back to Career Guides

How to become a Buyer

1,697

Buyer jobs

725

Buyer courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Buyer

Junior Buyer

| Up to £15,000

Buyer

| Up to £40,000

Purchasing Manager

| Up to £60,000

The role of a Buyer

What does a Buyer do?

Want to shop all day and get paid for it? You should be a Buyer…Buyers choose which products their stores should sell, understanding customer needs and buying habits to maximise profits. They can work for retailers of all sectors and sizes, and their skills are vital in ensuring that a store’s stock resonates with its customers. Without a Buyer selecting the right stock, there will be no sales.Typical duties for a Buyer may include:

Analysing customer buying patterns
Sourcing new items
Forecasting an items success and projecting sales
Using KPIs such as customer demand to determine success
Meeting with suppliers
Keeping tabs on market trends and competitor activity
Presenting new product ranges to senior staff and suggesting promotional activity to help items sell

Is a career as a Buyer right for me?

Commercial awareness is probably the most vital skill for anyone thinking of becoming a Buyer.Having a good understanding of what your customers want and the latest market trends will help you keep up with demand, as well as keeping you ahead of the game when it comes to your competitors. A good level of creativity is similarly essential, keeping your store fresh and relevant, rather than simply following the crowd.Other key skills for a Buyer include:

Excellent decision making skills
Enthusiasm
Flexibility
Business acumen
Communication and team-working skills
Excellent analytical skills

What's it like to be a Buyer?

"I've worked in retail for about the last 10 years, in a variety of different roles. Although I started out on the shop floor, I always loved learning about the products I sold, and that’s really how I got into buying as a career. I started out in a junior position, and absolutely loved it. Now I get to help choose what our latest product ranges will be made up of, and research all the latest trends to make sure we’re ahead of the game. Although I'm based out of our head office, my favourite part of the job is definitely still that buzz you get from the industry. I'm in and out of stores every week, talking to customers and finding out what they think about our brand. It’s great."

Get qualified as a Buyer

You will not generally need a degree in order to become a Retail Buyer. However, you will generally need some experience in the retail industry, or a qualification which demonstrates your commercial awareness or retail expertise.

Recommended Buyer courses

Real Estate Agent: Estate Management & Property Development

NextGen Learning

QLS Endorsed & CPD Accredited + 15 Accredited Topics+ Free Certificate + Instant & Lifetime Access
- Compare
- 234 students
- Online
- 3.6 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- 120 CPD points
- Tutor support
Great service

Highly rated

See more See less

Dive into the Thriving World of Real Estate : A QLS Level 3 Endorsed "Real Estate Agent: Estate Management & Property Development " Course According to a recent study, over 90% of property buyers in the UK utilise the services of a Real Estate Agent to navigate the buying …
Save 14%

£12 £14
Buyer - CPD Certified

StudyHub

24 Hour Flash Sale : Up to 98% Off | 4 in 1 Exclusive Bundle |PDF Certificate & Exam Included
- Compare
- Online
- 17 hours · Self-paced
- 40 CPD points
- Tutor support
Great service

See more See less

24 Hour Flash Deal **4-in-1 Mega Bundle** ►►► Enrolment Gifts ◄◄◄ **FREE PDF Certificate** FREE Exam** Lifetime Access ** Do you want to add some new skills to boost up your resume & uplift your career? The solution might be closer than you think, as our expertly crafted bun …
Save 3%

£29.99 £31