Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

What They Do

Wholesale and retail buyers serve as the crucial link between manufacturers and store shelves, deciding which products will ultimately reach consumers. They spend their days analyzing sales data, studying market trends, and evaluating vendor offerings to determine which merchandise will sell successfully in their stores or distribution networks. Much of their time involves negotiating prices and terms with suppliers, placing orders, and managing inventory levels to ensure products are available when customers want them without overstocking.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(masters)Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia, PA

General Sales, Merchandising(masters)Texas A&M University-College Station, TX

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Western Governors University, UT

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Baylor University, TX

General Sales, Merchandising(masters)CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, NY

General Sales, Merchandising(masters)New York University, NY

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Bellevue University, NE

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Kennesaw State University, GA

Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(grad-cert)Georgia State University, GA

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Texas A&M University-College Station, TX

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)American Public University System, WV

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Ball State University, IN

General Sales, Merchandising(certificate)University of Missouri-Columbia, MO

Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(bachelors)Northwood University, MI

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Purdue University-Main Campus, IN

General Sales, Merchandising(associates)Weber State University, UT

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)University of Central Oklahoma, OK

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, OH

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Texas Tech University, TX

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Lamar University, TX

General Sales, Merchandising(certificate)Umpqua Community College, OR

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI

General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Weber State University, UT

General Sales, Merchandising(certificate)Kent State University at Kent, OH

Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(bachelors)Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia, PA

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