• Selecting new products and reviewing the old

• Finding the right suppliers

• Negotiating prices (so the store doesn’t get ripped off)

• Ensuring the products are delivered on time

• Helping to interpret reports and predicting future sales

• Pitching ideas to senior management

• Stock control

• Budgeting

• Reacting to any changes in customer demand

• Maintaining relationships with existing suppliers while seeking new ones

• Attending trade events

• Getting feedback from customers

Not for the easily flustered, the job can get quite complicated as you have to consider several things before you select merchandise.

Often working in the head office, your work-base can change depending on the season, particularly if you’re working in a clothes store. In the slow seasons you’ll mainly be in the office, but during the busier buying months it’s likely you’ll spend a lot more time at trade shows and with suppliers.

This is a team-orientated role and you’ll be working closely with other departments to help pick the right products. So if you hate people, this isn’t the job for you.

Not just for the retail industry, Buyers exist in plenty of specialist sectors so you can pick an area that interests you and help them stock the next big thing.

Benefits can include private healthcare, and more importantly, retail discount.

When you first start you can expect to earn between £18,000 and £25,000.

As you gain more experience the salary goes up to around £35,000-£60,000.

Hit the senior Buying level and you’re looking at taking home between £55,000-£70,000 a year.

Although salaries can change depending on your location and the size of the company.

Because the needs of customers change throughout the year, the minute one season is over, you’ll have completely different stock to pick from for the next, so there’s plenty of variety too.

Graduate programmes and in-house training are also available. These are particularly useful as they help you to develop your skill set.

Education not for you? You can work your way up the retail ladder without any qualifications and try for internal promotions, but expect a higher amount of competition.

With or without qualifications, try and get retail experience before you start hastily applying for Buyer jobs. Even if it’s just a part-time weekend job, it’ll give you a feel for the environment and show your passion for the industry.

• Adapt to any situation

• Can remain calm under pressure

• Spot the next big thing

• Have a passion for retail

• Have analytical skills

• Negotiate and network

• Work in a team

• Be organised

• Multitask

• Be numerical

• Have IT skills

• Have good commercial awareness

• Be creative