0601-NOC

Retail and wholesale trade managers

(NOC 0621)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$65,175
Typical Education Background
Diploma/Certificate Excluding Apprenticeship
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
21,810

Career Overview

Retail and wholesale trade managers plan, direct and evaluate the operations of businesses that sell goods or services at the retail or wholesale level.

Retail trade managers work for companies that sell products directly to consumers for their own use. Wholesale trade managers work for companies that sell larger quantities of products for resale.

Duties

In general, retail and wholesale trade managers:

  • Study market research and trends to learn about consumer demand, potential sales volumes and their competition
  • Learn about their customers to understand what items would sell best
  • Build relationships with suppliers and buy goods to sell
  • Manage inventory
  • Set pricing strategies and credit policies
  • Develop and carry out marketing and merchandising plans
  • Plan budgets, approve expenses and review performance to gauge profitability
  • Offer service to customers in person, by phone and digitally
  • Settle customer complaints
  • Assess staffing needs, hire and manage staff, and assign duties
  • Oversee health and safety policies

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$65,175

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$64.90/hr
Median$31.25/hr
Low$18.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2022 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

56,800

% Employed Full Time

68%
Source: 2016 Census

Retail and wholesale trade managers work for retail and wholesale businesses or departments. Some own and operate their own businesses.

Most work at least 40 hours a week, but schedules vary greatly. Owners of retail stores have more control over their time, but their hours of operation must be convenient for customers. Owners also tend to put in more hours before their business opens and after it closes.

Technology has made it possible for managers to work remotely when necessary. It may also mean that they are expected to be available outside of business hours.

Retail trade managers must work well with the public. Interacting with customers, answering questions and dealing with complaints are a large part of the job.

Career Pathways

Trade managers may move between retail and wholesale roles, depending on the product or service.

In larger companies, experienced retail trade managers may become regional or provincial managers. Experienced wholesale managers may become senior department managers, directors, executive directors or vice-presidents.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Enterprising
Enterprising

Job Titles

Bird seller
Dealer, cattle / livestock
Dealer, computer products
Dealer, metal / salvage / scrap metal
Dealer, pleasure boat
Dealer, tire
Front end manager - retail
Grocer
Manager, art gallery
Manager, auto dealership
Manager, auto repair shop
Manager, bookstore
Manager, clothing store / shoe store
Manager, convenience store
Manager, customer service
Manager, electronics
Manager, flower shop / garden centre
Manager, food store
Manager, office supplies store
Manager, pharmacy
Manager, photographic store / studio
Manager, store
Manager, store - beer / liquor / wine
Manager, travel agency
Manager, wholesale
Managing supervisor - customer service
Numismatist
Operator, parking lot / parking garage
Pawnbroker
Philatelist
Retailer
Ship chandler
Wholesaler

Education, Training and Skills

Retail and wholesale trade managers need to have completed secondary school. They should have broad work and leadership experience in the field.

They may also need:

  • A university degree or college diploma in business administration or a related field
  • Courses in business and social sciences
  • Several years of related retail sales experience at increasing levels of responsibility
  • Strong knowledge of computer systems that manage point of sale, orders, inventory, customer relationships and call centres

On-site training is also an asset. In smaller companies, this may mean being guided by a supervisor. In large retail chains, it may take the form of formal training programs.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Entrepreneurial Studies Related
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

74%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

74%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

73%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

73%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

73%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

72%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

71%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

67%
Judgment and Decision-Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

64%
Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

64%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

56,800
Source: 2016 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Employment (2022) % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 1,600 3.4%
Kootenay 1,960 3.8%
Mainland/Southwest 33,350 60.8%
North Coast and Nechako 830 1.8%
Northeast 870 1.4%
Thompson-Okanagan 5,630 11.8%
Vancouver Island/Coast 8,200 16.8%
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2022-2032)

21,810
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2022-2032)

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 410 0.2%
Kootenay 690 0.6%
Mainland/Southwest 13,830 1.5%
North Coast and Nechako 260 0.8%
Northeast 200 0.1%
Thompson-Okanagan 2,740 1.6%
Vancouver Island/Coast 3,680 1.4%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2022-2032)
Retail Trade115,500
Wholesale Trade33,100
Manufacturing49,200
Finance, insurance and real estate50,900
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services46,100
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Small companies need to attract and keep customers to compete with large chains and online sales. Retail and wholesale trade managers often do this by creating unique promotions and by highlighting their business’s specialties.

Resources