An ability to work well under stress is often required. Most retail and wholesale buyers work in comfortable, well-lit offices in stores, corporate headquarters or production facilities. They often work more than a 40 hour week because of special sales, conferences, or production deadlines. Evening and weekend work is common. For those working in retail trade, this is especially true prior to holiday seasons.
Buyers often work under great pressure, since wholesale and retail stores are so competitive.
Traveling is usually required, and most buyers spend at least several days a month on the road. Buyers in the fashion industry often travel outside Canada. Retail buyers often earn cash bonuses based on their performance and may receive discounts on merchandise bought from the employer. Retail and wholesale buyers are a medium-sized occupational group in B.C., with 1,910 workers employed in 1990 and about 2,380 in 1998. Industry sources report that the trend is toward greater use of contract and part-time work in these occupations.