If you are looking to become a retail buyer, there are two ways to break into the business. The first way to become a retail buyer is to obtain a pertinent degree from a recognized university. The second way to become a retail buyer is to gain experience within the retail field. Since many retail manufacturers prefer to hire people who have some type of university eduction, most people who want to become retail buyers gain academic experience prior to applying for a job within the retail field.
There are a couple of different academic disciplines that you can study in order to become a retail buyer. Programs such as marketing, business, retail merchandising, and even finance will prepare you for a career within the retail purchasing world. Once you have obtained a university degree, you can then begin to apply for retail job positions.
If you have gained a degree in one of the aforementioned disciplines prior to applying for a retail position, then you will not begin your retail profession as a stockroom employee or sales clerk. Instead, people who have university degrees generally begin a career in retail as a corporate office employee. Those people who do not go the university route usually begin work within the retail profession as sales clerks and storeroom employees. Either way, any kind of position within a retail company can help you to become a retail buyer.
Aside from working within the retail industry, it is important to gain retail buying experience. The best way to achieve this type of experience is to work with a professional buyer. This can be done by asking a store's current buyer to show you the ins and outs of retail buying, or it can be accomplished by seeking a specific internship with a retail buyer. Gaining hands-on experience is the best way to find out how to become a buyer.
In addition, you may discover that some larger department stores within your area offer retail buying seminars. Since these stores want to train future buyers, these courses are often invaluable. By attending lectures, gaining buying insight, and keeping abreast with buying trends, you can begin to understand how the retail buying process works. Once you have worked within the retail field, attended informational buying seminars, and worked closely with a retail buyer, you can then apply for a position as a buyer within a retail company.