How to Get Retail Buying Experience
Employment for retail buyers is expected to decline by 2 percent through the year 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is because some stores are eliminating local buying departments, while other retailers consolidate their buying departments after a merger. Because competition for available jobs in the industry will be keen, it is important to set yourself apart by getting the right training and gaining experience before applying for a job as a retail buyer.
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Get a college degree. State University.com, a career resources website, reports that a bachelor's degree is preferred by most employers. Ideal majors include retail management, business and economics. If you want to work in the fashion industry, seek out a program in fashion merchandising.
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Complete an internship. Research and apply for available opportunities online or at your college's career center. In a retail-buying internship, such as the 9-week program offered by Macy's, participants learn about key skills such as purchase-order processing and financial analysis. They are exposed to competitive shopping and gain experience through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on retail-buying activities.
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Join an association. Professional associations are a resource for job listings and networking opportunities. For example, members of the National Association of Retail Buyers have access to a members-only portion of the association's website which has a job board. Members can also participate in exclusive networking events when attending industry trade shows.
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