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OaSIS 2023 Version 1.0
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62101.00 – 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.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Appliance buyer
  • Assistant buyer
  • Beverage taster and buyer
  • Buyer - retail
  • Buyer - wholesale
  • Chief buyer
  • Clothing buyer
  • Food buyer
  • Produce buyer

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.

Additional information

  • Progression to management positions in retail trade, sales, marketing or advertising is possible with additional training or experience.
  • Retail and wholesale buyers may specialize through experience or product-related training courses.
  • Retail and wholesale buyers may specialize in a particular merchandise line.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Procurement and purchasing agents and officers (12102)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

6 – Sales and service occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

62 – Retail sales and service supervisors and specialized occupations in sales and services

Sub-major group

621 – Specialized sales occupations

Minor group

6210 – Technical sales specialists in wholesale trade and retail and wholesale buyers

Unit group

62101 – Retail and wholesale buyers

Occupational profile

62101.00 – Retail and wholesale buyers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.