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Retail buyer : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
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Case studies

  • Typical starting salaries for junior buying roles: £18,000 - £25,000.
  • Typical salaries for more experienced buyers: £35,000 - £60,000.
  • Typical salaries at senior level/with experience: £55,000 - £70,000 plus.
  • Salaries vary according to a number of factors, including location, the size of the business and buying specialism. Store turnover may also have a bearing on salary, rewarding good performance. Some companies offer attractive benefits like retail discount and private healthcare.
  • Retail buyers are often presented with very tight deadlines. As a result, working hours frequently extend beyond 9am to 5pm.
  • The majority of working hours are spent in an office, although there may be travel off site during the day. Buying departments have a busy and lively atmosphere.
  • Buyers have frequent contact with wholesalers, manufacturers and suppliers in the course of their work.
  • Although not common, freelance work is possible, especially in London, once you have experience.
  • Career breaks are not typical, but it depends largely on the organisation.
  • Opportunities to work part time are limited due to the heavy workload.
  • Most buyers are based in the organisation's head office. The majority of these are in London or the South East, although opportunities may exist in other parts of the UK.
  • There are generally the same number of men and women working in retail buying, although there may be a gender bias in some product areas.
  • Retail buyers have a high level of responsibility. Some may find this stressful, whilst others may view the challenge positively.
  • Travel to attend trade shows may be required occasionally, as well as visits to suppliers in the UK and overseas.
 
AGCAS
Written by Richard Wilcock and Lucy Ellis, University of Leicester
Date: 
August 2011
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