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.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a retail manager is like.
Source: Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Source: 2021 Job Bank Wage Report
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook
10 year expected job openings: 20,010
In general, retail and wholesale trade managers:
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.
Source: 2016 Census
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:
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.
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
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 35 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. You’ll also find the skill strength needed, letting you know how capable you must be in that skill.
Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
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.
Career paths
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.
Additional resources