Retail Planning Careers
Retailers plan their business around seasonal trends, high-profit merchandise and customer buying preferences. Retail planning involves considering what consumers will buy and planning ways to encourage that process. Anyone attracted to the retail industry can pursue a variety of retail planning careers, such as a salesperson, a manager or a buyer.
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Merchandise Buyer
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Merchandise buyers purchase the merchandise that the retail stores will stock on their shelves. As buyers choose which items to purchase, they need to plan for customer needs, customer budgets and the profitability of specific items. Customers purchase some items because of the styles, others because of the functionality. Buyers need to plan for the reasons customers choose to shop and purchase items to meet those needs. Merchandise buyers need to have good decision-making, negotiation and software skills. Most buyers also hold a bachelor's degree in supply chain management. The median annual salary of a merchandise buyer was $48,710 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Retail Salesperson
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Retail salespeople work directly with customers, assisting them with their purchases. Retail salespeople often plan where to display merchandise to gain the most visibility. A retail salesperson often deals with challenging customers, making customer service skills essential. Retail salespeople also need good communication skills. Formal education is not required for a career as a retail salesperson. Most salespeople learn their skills through workplace training. Retail salespeople earn hourly wages or commissions. Some retail salespeople receive both from their employer. The median hourly wage of a retail salesperson was $9.86 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Merchandise Manager
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Merchandise managers oversee buyers and coordinate the planning of which products to purchase in a particular department. Merchandise managers work both at the corporate level and at specific stores. Merchandise managers need good communication skills to direct their team. Most merchandise managers hold a bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business management or retail management. The median hourly wage of a merchandise manager was $44.02 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Retail Manager
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Retail managers work in the store itself, overseeing store employees and interacting with customers. Retail managers plan employee schedules and responsibilities. Retail managers need solid organizational skills and the ability to multitask. Some retail managers hold a bachelor's degree, while others advance within the company with no formal education. The median hourly wage of a retail manager was $44.02 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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References
- United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Purchasing Managers, Buyers and Purchasing Agents
- United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Retail Salespersons
- United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Clothing, Accessory, and General Merchandise Stores
