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

MEDIAN HOURLY WAGE
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

Hourly
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

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Education & Training

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Hospitality and Tourism

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
Trillium Lakelands District School Board
Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Building and Maintaining Customer Relations
Client/Customer Relations

SERVICE PROVIDERS
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

ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

Service Excellence Series

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Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

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Retail Sales Supervisors

Hourly
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

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Education & Training

Prior experience in the retail sector is usually required.

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Leadership Development
Leadership in a Team Environment

SERVICE PROVIDERS
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

ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

Leadership Excellence Series

View Job Posts

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

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Retail & Wholesale Buyers

Hourly
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

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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

Business Administration (B.B.A.)

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Supply Chain Management Diploma

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Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

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Retail & Wholesale Trade Managers

Hourly
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

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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

Business Administration (B.B.A.)

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Business
Global Business Management Graduate Certificate

View Job Posts

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

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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

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Education & Training

ONTARIO SUMMER COMPANY
Grant for students aged 15 to 29 to start a new summer business

Northumberland Summer Company Program
Peterborough Summer Company Program
Kawartha Lakes Summer Company Program

STARTER COMPANY PLUS
Grant for Canadians 18+ to start a new business or grow a business that has been in operations for fewer than five years

Northumberland Starter Company Program
Peterborough Starter Company Program
Kawartha Lakes Starter Company Program

TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education

Business Administration (B.B.A.), Entrepreneurship Specialization

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Business Case Development
Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Small Business Financial Management

INNOVATION CLUSTER
Supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of tech-driven companies

Innovation Cluster

COMMUNITY FUTURES
Financing, mentorship and community support for local small businesses

Haliburton County Development Corporation
Kawartha Lakes CFDC
Community Futures Peterborough
Northumberland CFDC

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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)

Retail

Career Ladder

Learn About The Retail Career Path

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

Retail & Wholesale Trade Managers

Retail & Wholesale Buyers

Retail Sales Supervisors

Retail Salespersons & Visual Merchandisers

Retail Salespersons & Visual Merchandisers

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training

Retail Sales Supervisors

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training

Retail & Wholesale Buyers

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training

Retail & Wholesale Trade Managers

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training

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