Home / Courses / Certificate of Retail Buying and Strategic Planning

Certificate of Retail Buying and Strategic Planning

Build practical retail buying skills in product selection, supplier negotiation and stock management while strengthening your strategic planning capability. This course prepares you to make smarter buying decisions using sales data, market insight and ethical sourcing.
shuttle
Start Anytime
Yes
streaming
Delivery Method
100% Online
clock
Study Hours
30 hours
calendar
Course Access
12 Months

Gain the practical skills you need to launch a career in retail buying. Whether you’re starting out in retail or planning a move into buying, this course gives you a competitive edge in the fast-moving retail industry.

The Certificate of Retail Buying is a professional development course that covers the full buying process from identifying customer needs to managing supplier relationships, pricing, and inventory.

In this online retail buying course, you will gain a strong foundation in product selection, supplier negotiation, stock control, and consumer trends. You will also explore consumer behaviour, learn how to evaluate product quality, forecast demand, and manage stock effectively.

You will gain insight into ethical sourcing, sustainable practices, and how to adapt to changing trends. You will also make smarter buying decisions to meet business goals and customer expectations, guided by sales data and market research.

On completion of this course, you will feel prepared to contribute value in a retail buying or planning role.

Printed learning materials may be available free to print for this course. Requests can be made by contacting us. 

Course Structure
Certificate of Retail Buying and Strategic Planning

Unit 1: Introduction to Retail Buying

  • Introduction to retail buying
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Key skills and qualities
  • Overview of retail sectors

Unit 2: Understanding Consumer Behaviour

  • Understanding consumer behaviour
  • Identifying target markets
  • Shopping trends and customer preferences
  • Using sales data to predict demand

Unit 3: Product Selection and Merchandising

  • Product selection and merchandising
  • Understanding product quality
  • Evaluating market-fit
  • Assessment methods
  • Pricing strategies and profit margins
  • Visual merchandising strategies

Unit 4: Supplier Relations and Negotiation

  • Supplier relations and negotiation
  • Sourcing and selecting suppliers
  • Supplier evaluation checklist
  • Supplier research methods
  • Negotiating supplier agreements
  • Managing supplier relationships
  • Negotiating prices, terms, and contracts
  • Ethics and sustainable sourcing

Unit 5: Inventory and Stock Control

  • Inventory and stock control
  • Forecasting demand
  • Reducing waste
  • Managing slow inventory
  • Supply chain logistics

Unit 6: Financial Aspects of Buying

  • Financial aspects of buying
  • Budgeting
  • Financial planning
  • Managing profit margins
  • Cost control strategies
  • Profitability through strategic buying
  • Analysing sales reports

Unit 7: Trends, Innovation, and Market Analysis

  • Trends, innovation and market analysis
  • Staying ahead of industry trends
  • Adapting buying strategies
  • Understanding why consumer needs change
  • Strategies for adapting to customer needs
  • Overcoming challenges
  • Using data to enhance buying decisions

Unit 8: Retail Buying in Action

  • Retail buying in action
  • The role of strategy planning
  • Portfolio, range, and category planning
  • Suppliers, inventory and financial strategies
  • Creating a retail buying strategy
  • Implementation, risk management, and review
  • Case studies
  • Career pathways
  • Retail buyer career
clock
Estimated Duration
30 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment

Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

Career Outcomes
  • Buyers Administrator
  • Buying and Product Manager
  • Buying Administration Assistant
  • Retail Buyer
Enrol & start today
* Ts&Cs apply
Certificate of Retail Buying and Strategic Planning
$299.00
Choose Enrolment Type Business Details Service Provider Details Participant Details Add Another Course Additional Participants Payment
Stripe Logo

About Us

At Australian Online Courses, we are passionate about helping individuals from diverse backgrounds achieve their career goals. Since 2008, we have created opportunities for people in Australia and around the world.

Our Difference

What sets us apart is that we genuinely care about your career development. That’s why flexible study schedules, competitive pricing and exceptional customer and student support are at the heart of what we do. Our comprehensive courses, developed in consultation with industry employers, provide the skills and knowledge necessary for success in your current role or to pursue new opportunities.

Our state-of-the-art eLearning platform means you can study anywhere, anytime. So, enrol today and get the skills and confidence you need to achieve your career dreams, big or small.

Graduation

A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.

How to Enrol

You can enrol online by clicking Get Started on any course page under Enrol & Start Today. Follow the prompts to complete your enrolment as an individual, business, or service provider.

Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)

Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)

Payment Options

Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.

Course FAQs

Why choose Australian Online Courses?
  • Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
  • Improve your employment opportunities;
  • Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
  • High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
  • All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
  • Unlimited tutor support via email;
  • We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
  • Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.

There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18 with a competent level of English. For those under 18, please complete the Parent/Guardian Consent Form before enrolling.

To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.

You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!

Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.

BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.

Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.

Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.

This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.

No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.

Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.

Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.

Offer
Enrol in June and take 15% off!
  • Valid for courses only
  • Enter the coupon code JUNE when enrolling.
  • Ts&Cs apply.
Image 7b@2x
Offer
Gift Vouchers.
Give the Gift of Growth!

Perfect for individuals or as part of your team’s rewards and recognition program. Buy a gift voucher today and invest in someone’s future.

Cta Block 2 Img@2x
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a FREE eBook!
THE ULTIMATE A-Z GUIDE TO CAREER CHANGE

Subscribe today and receive the free e-book The Ultimate A-Z Guide to Career Change. It’s packed with tips and advice from career coaches, psychologists, recruiters and human resources professionals to help you find your new direction.

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 2

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Image 2