Did You Know? Since 1903 the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. (Source: ARA)

 

Retail buyers are responsible for sourcing, selecting and purchasing goods to be sold by retail businesses. They research market trends and also watch what stock their competitors purchase. They plan sales targets and must predict future buying patterns. They source and develop relationships with suppliers, negotiate prices for goods, and plan, monitor and evaluate stock levels.
  
Retail buyers must have a good understanding of their customers to determine product ranges that best achieve commercial outcomes. They may also be involved in deciding how products are displayed and managing the image of the brand.

ANZSCO ID: 6392
  
Specialisations: Merchandise Planner,

Knowledge, skills and attributes    

To become a retail buyer, you would need:

• an understanding of buying behaviours and patterns
• a thorough knowledge of your buying specialty
• an interest in retail and sales
• analytical skills
• organisation and presentation skills
• good numeracy and computer skills.

(Source: Maker's Row)

Duties and Tasks

• Monitors sales data and stock levels, and studies trade, manufacturers' and market information to keep informed of changing market conditions.
• Negotiates purchase, promotion and supply arrangements with suppliers.
• Designs and implements pricing, marketing, promotional and display strategies.
• Liaises with management on long-term planning and sales promotions.
• Establishes working plans according to seasonal and budgetary requirements.
• Anticipates consumer trends and determines quantity, style and quality of goods to be purchased.

Working conditions

Retail buyers often travel interstate and overseas to research and source goods, attend trade fairs and to meet with suppliers. They usually work in an office environment, but may also spend time examining potential merchandise in warehouses, markets or at wholesalers. They also spend time in retail stores working with store managers and visual merchandisers to review stock levels and to decide how the products should be displayed.
Retail buyers generally work business hours, however, when travelling their hours may vary and they may work longer hours.


Tools and technologies

Retail buyers use computers and word processing and software programs to manage and analyse stock levels, study sales data and manage finances. They may research trends and buying patterns, and source suppliers online. They also need to be familiar with retail store operating equipment, and pricing and stock measuring systems.



Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a retail buyer without any formal qualifications and get training on the job. However, entry into this occupation may be improved by obtaining a qualification in retail management. Most buyers have an extensive background in sales and are selected by their business to undertake advanced training to become a buyer.

Your employment prospects may be improved if you have a VET qualification in retail services, retail operations, retail supervision or retail management. You may be able to study through distance education. Many retail buyers now have a degree in business, marketing or a related field. To get into these courses you usually need to gain senior secondary school certificate. English and mathematics are appropriate subjects to study prior to university.

The Diploma of Retail Management is offered at registered training organisations throughout Australia.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of retail buyers is projected to grow slower than the average for all occupations.

Retail sales are increasingly being impacted by internet sales direct to the customer, rather than through retail outlets. Advances in technology are also being more widely implemented across buying and purchasing functions, leading to less roles for retail buyers.

(Source: Your Career)

Checkout supervisors (retail supervisors) manage and supervise the operations and workers of retail and supermarket checkout cashiers. They schedule appropriate workers and ensure that customers are met with strong customer service, efficiency and ethical standards.

Checkout supervisors are an important part of a pleasant shopping experience. They manage all of the cash register functions and checkout clerks in a store’s front end. The checkout area of a store is a busy place at times, especially in big-box stores like supercentres.

Supervisors are pulled in many directions during their shift so the ability to stay calm under pressure serves them well. It’s a multi-faceted job that keeps them hopping. Depending on the size of a particular shop, that may entail hiring and firing of cashiers too. The supervisor formulates training sessions as well as scheduling shifts for all of his/her staff. Checkout supervisors also observe their employees to make sure they're friendly with customers and monitor cash register totals to assess if anyone is having trouble making correct change. They also need to have good mentoring skills and patience.

ANZSCO ID: 621511
  
Alternative names: Retail Supervisor, Sales Department Supervisor,

Specialisations: Supermarket Checkout Supervisor, Checkout Manager, Till Supervisor,

Knowledge, skills and attributes
  
Checkout supervisors manage customer flow through the front end of the store. If long lines begin to develop, the manager determines when to open new lines. Checkout supervisors also gauge how many clerks are needed at one time and make sure cashiers fulfill other duties during slower periods.

Customer satisfaction is key to a successful business and customer flow is vital the shopping experience. Checkout supervisors need to have good organizational and decision making skills to make fast decisions and prevent slowdowns.

Cash registers must be reconciled at least at the end of every workday, if not several times during a given shift. The manager of the front-end department stays on top of these checks to make sure that everything is balanced. If discrepancies are found, it's the supervisors duty to find where a mistake was made and correct it.

The checkout supervisor needs to be detail-oriented. Supplies need to be maintained at the cash registers stations., including register tape and shopping bags. Without these items, customers are stuck at the front door and unable to buy what they want. The checkout supervisor makes sure these supplies are replenished and available for customers, and this requires someone who's organized.

Customer satisfaction entails ensuring that items ring up correctly and the right change is given after every transaction. Checkout supervisors circle the front area of the store greeting customers and making them feel welcome. They also encourage their cashiers to foster the same atmosphere, and this requires persuasiveness and empathy.

To become a checkout supervisor, you would need:

• good communication skills
• good customer service skills
• enjoy clerical and administrative tasks
• able to work quickly and accurately
• confidence in handling money.

 

(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks
  
As a checkout supervisor, you would:

• organise checkout operators and cashier work schedules to ensure proper staff is scheduled during busy and quiet sale times
• provide helpful and efficient customer service and model appropriate behaviour for all staff
• select and train checkout staff, ensuring that they provide strong customer services and act efficiently at checkouts
• coach workers on how to deal with special circumstances including theft, complaints, returns, exchanges, coupons, special offers, etc.
• evaluate returned items to ensure they meet the standards and regulations of store policy on refunds and exchanges
• handle and resolve customer complaints or discrepancies with prices at checkout counters and throughout the store.

Working conditions

Typical hours vary weekly depending on the type of employer and hours of operation. Part-time work may be available.

Checkout supervisors typically work at checkout counters, in back offices or on sales floors. Based on the various types of stores and companies, you may be required to stand or sit for long periods of time.

Example of Checkout Supervisor's hours
(Source: Greenmeadows Supermarket)

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a retail supervisor without formal qualifications. Skills are usually developed through on-the-job training or in-house courses following recruitment as a sales assistant or checkout operator and advancement to supervisory and management positions.

You can also become a retail supervisor through a traineeship in retail management. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require secondary school certificate or equivalent. You usually need retail experience to work as a Retail Supervisor. While formal qualifications aren't essential, a certificate III or IV in retail supervising or managing may be useful.


Employment Opportunities

Employment of checkout supervisors is projected to grow slower than the average for all occupations.

Employment growth will be limited by advances in technology, such as a rise in the number of self-service checkouts in retail stores and increasing online sales, which decrease the need for checkout operators, and therefore, supervisors.

Job opportunities should continue to exist because of the need to replace the large number of workers who leave the occupation for a variety of reasons each year.

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Salesperson

Supply, Distribution & Procurement Manager

Visual Merchandiser

Materials sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Retail Manager (General); Retail Buyer;  ]
CareerHQ [Retail Buyer; Checkout Supervisor; ]
Open Universities
ABS
Chron. [Checkout Supervisor; ]
Your Career [Retail Manager (General); Retail Manager; Retail Buyer; Retail Supervisor;  ]

 

 

 

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