The article summarizes the arguments and counter-arguments within the scientific discussion on regulating the development of professional competence of trade workers, as the transformation processes taking place in the context of globalization and European integration put forward new requirements for personnel management at micro and macro levels. This is due to the fact that in the conditions of market development, the most significant transformations take place in the social and labor spheres. The main purpose of the article is to study the state and trends of trade in the context of ensuring the professional competence of employees. Systematization of literature sources and approaches to solving the problem of professional competence of trade workers shows that Ukrainian and foreign scientists have studied professional competence, but in modern conditions, there is a need for critical analysis of trade status and trends in the context of professional competence. The study of this issue was carried out in the following logical sequence: determining the results, forming the main tasks and areas of research on the main indicators of trade, and identifying trends in trade in the context of ensuring the professional competence of employees. The methodological tools of the study include the system of economic laws, concepts, and categories, and the fundamental provisions of modern economic theory and applied economics. An abstract-logical complex approach and methods of analysis and synthesis are the general methodological basis of the research. The trade indicators and trends in their development constitute the object of the study as they contribute to ensuring the professional competence of workers in this industry. The article examines the indicators of the condition and trends of trade and their impact on ensuring the professional competence of employees. The demand for specialties that can be realized in the longer professional activity in trade is investigated. A characterological table of general and professional competencies of management staff and salespeople depending on positions is developed. 

trade, trade development, professional competence, staff competencies, general, special (professional) competencies