62101
Canada Moderate

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.

Employment Outlooks

Economic Region Outlooks

Select your region(s)

Choose up to 3 regions to see employment outlooks. This occupation has data for 72 economic regions.

Salary Information

National wage data for this occupation
Entry-level
CA$19.23
/hr
Typical
CA$30.00
/hr
Experienced
CA$48.08
/hr

Average: CA$32.06/hr

93.3% of workers in this occupation receive non-wage benefits

Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.

Examples

Illustrative Examples
  • appliance buyer
  • assistant buyer
  • beverage taster and buyer
  • buyer - retail
  • buyer - wholesale
  • chief buyer
  • clothing buyer
  • food buyer
  • produce buyer
All Examples
  • appliance buyer
  • assistant buyer
  • beverage taster and buyer
  • buyer - retail
  • buyer - wholesale
  • buyers supervisor
  • cattle buyer
  • chief buyer
  • chief buyer - retail or wholesale
  • clothing buyer
  • food buyer
  • fruit buyer
  • fur buyer
  • hardware buyer
  • hog buyer
  • livestock buyer
  • log buyer
  • lumber buyer
  • meat buyer
  • merchandiser
  • perishable food buyer
  • pharmaceuticals buyer
  • produce buyer
  • retail buyer
  • retail merchandiser
  • salvage buyer
  • scrap buyer
  • senior buyer - retail or wholesale
  • specialty food buyer
  • timber buyer
  • tobacco buyer
  • wholesale buyer

Main Duties

Main Duties
  • This group performs 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.

Requirements

Employment Requirements
  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • A university degree or college diploma in business, marketing or a related program is usually required.
  • Previous work experience in retail or wholesale establishments is usually required.
  • Supervisors and senior buyers require experience in the occupation supervised or in a particular merchandise line.

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Data from Statistics Canada (NOC 2021), ESDC Labour Market Information, and Job Bank Canada