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.

Other names for Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products: Art Dealer, Assistant Buyer, Assistant Merchandise Buyer, Associate Merchandise Buyer, Buy Boat Operator, Buyer, Buyer Assistant, Commodity Manager, Contracts Specialist, Fashion Buyer, Fashion Merchandiser, Fur Buyer, Gold Buyer, Head of Merchandise Buying, Importer, Importer Exporter, Internal Wholesaler, Jobber, Merchandise Buyer, Merchandise for Resale Purchasing Agent, Merchandise Planner, Merchandise Worker, Merchandiser, Merchant, Old Gold Buyer, Print Buyer, Procurement Specialist, Product Manager, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Coordinator, Purchasing Manager, Purchasing Specialist, Purveyor, Resident Buyer, Retail Buyer, Senior Merchandise Buyer, Tie Buyer, Trader, Tradesman, Wholesale and Retail Merchant, Wholesale Buyer,

• Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers and other media.
• Examine, select, order, and purchase at the most favorable price merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other factors.
• Negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise.
• Analyze and monitor sales records, trends and economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed.
• Interview and work closely with vendors to obtain and develop desired products.
• Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
• Inspect merchandise or products to determine value or yield.
• Set or recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, and selling prices for merchandise.
• Confer with sales and purchasing personnel to obtain information about customer needs and preferences.
• Consult with store or merchandise managers about budget and goods to be purchased.
• Conduct staff meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise.
• Manage the department for which they buy.
• Use computers to organize and locate inventory, and operate spreadsheet and word processing software.
• Train and supervise sales and clerical staff.
• Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, and style number.
• Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, and when the ads should be run.

• Calculators or accessories
• Desktop computers
• Personal computers
• Point of sale POS terminal

Procurement software

Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software

Project management software

Inventory management software

Office suite software

Accounting software

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Graphics or photo imaging software

Word processing software

Presentation software

Calendar and scheduling software

Spreadsheet software

Customer relationship management CRM software

Data base user interface and query software

Point of sale POS software

Internet browser software

Electronic mail software