Retail
Career Ladder
Learn About The Retail Career Path
Advance your skills and learn what it takes to move up the Retail Career Ladder!
Each career level contains information about hourly wages, job descriptions, main job duties, examples of job titles, general skills, and links to educational courses or training opportunities. Select one of the levels to learn more.
To explore other career ladders, please visit our Career Ladders page. If you have further questions about local labour market information, email helpdesk@wdb.ca or visit wdb.ca.
Entrepreneur / Business Owner
Varies
Retail & Wholesale Trade Managers
$42.84
Retail & Wholesale Buyers
$26.14
Retail Sales Supervisors
$19.42
Retail Salespersons & Visual Merchandisers
$17.20
*median hourly wage as of October 1, 2024
Retail Salespersons & Visual Merchandisers
Wages
Low
$17.20
Median
$17.20
High
$19.64
Main Job Duties
- Greet customers, advise on use and care of merchandise, provide advice concerning specialized products or services
- Prepare merchandise for purchase, rental or lease
- Assist in display of merchandise
- Operate computerized inventory record keeping and re-ordering systems
- May conduct sales transactions through internet-based electronic commerce
Skills
Problem Solving Organization
Customer Service
Point of Sale
Digital Literacy Retail Math
Job Title Examples
Clothing Salesperson
Retail Sales Clerk
Automobile Salesperson
Store Display Designer
Education & Training
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Hospitality and Tourism
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Retail Sales Supervisors
Wages
Low
$17.20
Median
$19.42
High
$25.43
Main Job Duties
- Supervise and coordinate sales staff and cashiers
- Assign workers to duties, prepare work schedules, and maintain specified inventory and order merchandise
- Hire and train or arrange the training of new staff and monitor and report on performance
- Prepare reports regarding sales volume, merchandising and personnel matters
Skills
Customer Service Leadership
Teamwork Problem Solving
Time Management
Job Title Examples
Retail Store Supervisor
Food Store Supervisor
Telemarketer Supervisor
Education & Training
Prior experience in the retail sector is usually required.
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Retail & Wholesale Buyers
Wages
Low
$19.71
Median
$26.14
High
$32.68
Main Job Duties
- Purchase merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments
- Review requirements of establishment and determine quantity and type of merchandise to purchase
- Interview suppliers and negotiate prices, discounts, credit terms and transportation arrangements
- Promote and advise community groups, corporations, schools and other organizations about recreation, sports and fitness program and activities
- Oversee distribution of merchandise to outlets and maintain adequate stock levels
Skills
Attention To Detail
Customer Service
Teamwork Work Independently
Written Communication
Organization
Job Title Examples
Food Buyer
Wholesale Buyer
Appliance Buyer
Education & Training
Prior experience in the retail sector is usually required.
Completion of a university degree or college diploma may be required.
TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Retail & Wholesale Trade Managers
Wages
Low
$28.89
Median
$42.84
High
$50.97
Main Job Duties
- Manage staff and duties
- Develop and implement marketing strategies
- Plan budgets, authorize expenditures and monitor revenues
- Evaluate and improve customer service and respond to customer requests and issues
- Address staffing requirements, including the hiring, development and retention of staff
Skills
Customer Service Leadership
Teamwork Planning
Time Management
Job Title Examples
Car Dealership Manager
Clothing Store Manager
Hardware Store Manager
Education & Training
Several years of related retail or wholesale sales experience at increasing levels of responsibilities are usually required.
Completion of a university degree or college diploma may be required.
TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Entrepreneur / Business Owner
Approximately 1,450 businesses are launched annually in the WDB region
Main Job Duties
- Create and manage a business plan, including ongoing research and planning, and time management
- Secure funding, maintain business bank accounts, payments processing, taxes and general bookkeeping
- Develop marketing campaigns, manage social media and conduct other marketing activities
- Respond to customer service inquiries, including answer phone calls and emails to build a positive reputation for the business
- Recruit and manage employees
Skills
Work Independently
Customer Service
Organization Planning
Time Management
Job Title Examples
Small Business Owner
Franchisee
Education & Training
Grant for students aged 15 to 29 to start a new summer business
Grant for Canadians 18+ to start a new business or grow a business that has been in operations for fewer than five years
TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education
Supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of tech-driven companies
Financing, mentorship and community support for local small businesses
We would like to acknowledge the support made by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Regional Tourism Organization 8 for this project.
Sources:
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Lightcast (2023.3)
Job Bank
Job posting data is from WDB Local Jobs Hub (WDB Region)
