4 answers
Diego
Student
Hollister, California
3
Questions
Asked
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What kind of experience do you need to become a Wholesale & Retail Buyer??
Thank you for your answers
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4 answers
Imogen Roberts
Consulting
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Imogen’s Answer
Hi Diego, I worked for many years as a retail buyer and am now a consultant in the retail industry. When I got started, I had no direct retail experience, but I would highly recommend doing some retail work so you can talk to how a store operates and the challenges the store employees face. Increasingly we see the buying roles mixing both art and science, so sharing examples of how you can use data to understand something or done research to understand consumers or trends would be great. Also getting smart on the company you are interviewing with, looking at their financials, listening to their earnings calls, reading about what the news are saying about them. That will make you look like a really strong candidate.
lauren M
Talent Acquisition
3
Answers
Burlington, New Jersey
Updated
lauren’s Answer
Hi there,
Retail experience is fantastic! It helps you learn about customers and what they like to buy. You can spot new trends and understand why some products are popular.
When you see an item selling well, it means customers love it! Look into what makes it special, like its features, colors, or styles. This helps you know which trends are successful and what to buy next.
Also, don't forget to network! Use LinkedIn to connect with buyers at companies you admire. Invite them for a chat to learn about their career paths and the skills that helped them succeed.
Good luck with your future endeavors!
Retail experience is fantastic! It helps you learn about customers and what they like to buy. You can spot new trends and understand why some products are popular.
When you see an item selling well, it means customers love it! Look into what makes it special, like its features, colors, or styles. This helps you know which trends are successful and what to buy next.
Also, don't forget to network! Use LinkedIn to connect with buyers at companies you admire. Invite them for a chat to learn about their career paths and the skills that helped them succeed.
Good luck with your future endeavors!
Azilee Billy
Disasters
18
Answers
Sumter, South Carolina
Updated
Azilee’s Answer
Study procurement…. The courses are short but valuable.
Lilmomma
Lilmomma
Rebecca Kowalsky
Account Manager/Sales
2
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Hi Diego,
Good question. I would start with a job where you are working in-store. It can be any retail job at any store, just get that experience! While you are there, think about what a few things:
-what are people buying? what trends are you seeing?
-what are some of the challenges you are experiencing?
-how could you improve the store and buying experience?
-keep track of your wins (times when you crushed it!) and your losses (learning experiences)
-keep track of any projects you work on while working in-store.
Once you have this, you can search for 'analyst' roles that require 0-1 year experience. You can use your in-store experience to give you a head start.
Good question. I would start with a job where you are working in-store. It can be any retail job at any store, just get that experience! While you are there, think about what a few things:
-what are people buying? what trends are you seeing?
-what are some of the challenges you are experiencing?
-how could you improve the store and buying experience?
-keep track of your wins (times when you crushed it!) and your losses (learning experiences)
-keep track of any projects you work on while working in-store.
Once you have this, you can search for 'analyst' roles that require 0-1 year experience. You can use your in-store experience to give you a head start.