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Useful experience for buyers includes:

• sales
• storeperson work
• customer services
• importing and exporting.

Buyers may do some or all of the following:

• review stock levels and order products
• review new products and consumer trends
• talk with sales representatives and negotiate prices with suppliers
• inspect, compare and select goods for sale
• arrange payments and deliveries
• decide how much to charge for goods
• assist with product range and development.

High competition for buyer jobs

The retail sector has experienced steady growth in recent years, and because retail is a large industry there is a demand for buyers. 

However, finding a job can be difficult due to high competition for roles. Employers often fill vacancies by promoting existing staff from positions such as sales assistant, shop manager or area manager

According to the Census, 1,458 buyers worked in New Zealand in 2020.

Types of employers varied

Most large retailers employ buyers. These include:

• department stores
• clothing stores
• homeware and hardware chains.

Retail NZ

0800 472 472 - info@retail.kiwi - www.retail.kiwi

ServiceIQ

0800 863 693 - info@serviceiq.org.nz - www.serviceiq.org.nz

Buyers may progress to set up their own retail business, or move into brand or merchandise manager roles.

Buyers usually specialise in certain products such as:

• vehicles
• clothing
• food
• electronics
• raw materials.

They may also specialise in brand management or visual merchandising.

Buyers need to be:

• outgoing, confident and persuasive
• able to make good judgements
• good communicators.