Will “Wholesale and Retail Merchant” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job Description

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. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 13-1022.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 60,040.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 28.00
• Currently, there are 109,440 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products”.

Also Known As…

• Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
• Trader
• Retail Buyer
• Purchasing Coordinator
• Purchaser
• Product Manager
• Procurement Specialist
• Merchandise Manager
• Grocery Buyer
• Category Manager
• Buyer
• Wholesale Buyer
• Tradesman
• Tie Buyer
• Technical Buyer
• Sustainability Purchasing Agent
• Resident Buyer
• Purveyor
• Purchasing Specialist
• Procurement Manager
• Procurement Buyer
• Print Buyer
• Merchant
• Merchandise Planner
• Merchandise for Resale Purchasing Agent
• Merchandise Buyer
• Jobber
• Internal Wholesaler
• Importer Exporter
• Importer
• Head of Merchandise Buying
• Gold Buyer
• Fur Buyer
• Fashion Buyer
• Contracts Specialist
• Commodity Manager
• Commodity Buyer
• Category Development Manager
• Buyer Assistant
• Art Dealer

Tasks for “Wholesale and Retail Merchant”

• Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed.
• Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
• Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
• Monitor consumer preferences or environmental trends to determine the best way to introduce new green products.
• Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.
• Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
• Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.
• Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
• Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.
• Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
• Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.
• Compare transportation options to determine the most energy efficient options.
• Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
• Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
• Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.
• Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers.
• Recommend mark-up rates, markdown rates, or merchandise selling prices.
• Identify opportunities to buy green commodities, such as alternative energy, water, or carbon-neutral products for resale to consumers.
• Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.
• Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.

Related Technology & Tools

• Personal computers
• Point of sale POS systems
• 10-key calculators
• Desktop computers

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• Web browser software
• Microsoft Project
• Spreadsheet software
• Project management software
• Graphics software
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• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Materials requirement planning MRP software
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
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• Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
• SAP POS Data Management
• Word processing software
• Email software
• Accounting software
• Microsoft Word
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• Contact management software
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
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• Eclipse IDE