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13-1022.00 - 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.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
129,500
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
137,500
Estimate
Change in Employment
+8,100
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+6.2%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.
  • Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
  • Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
  • Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
  • Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
  • Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.
  • Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
  • Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
  • Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
  • Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.
Supplemental
  • Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
  • Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.
  • Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.
  • Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.
  • Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.
  • Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.
  • Compare transportation options to determine the most energy-efficient options.
  • Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers.
  • Identify opportunities to buy green commodities, such as alternative energy, water, or carbon-neutral products for resale to consumers.
  • Monitor consumer preferences or environmental trends to determine the best way to introduce new green products.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 76%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 75%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 English Language
  • 72%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Mathematics
  • 71%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Administration and Management
  • 68%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 68%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 64%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
 Communications and Media
  • 55%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Clerical
  • 52%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Calculating machines and accessories
  • 10-key calculators
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Point of sale POS systems
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Accounting software
  • Biztrak Business Solutions BiztrakHOT
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP softwareHOT
  • Enterprise risk management software ERMSHOT
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • JDA Software Group Advanced Warehouse Replenishment by E3HOT
  • JDA Software Group Assortment Planning by ArthurHOT
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneHOT
  • Oracle PeopleSoftHOT
  • Product development management softwareHOT
  • Sage ERP AccpacHOT
  • SAP softwareHOT
 Industry specific software
  • Advanced Retail Management Systems Retail Pro
  • CAM Commerce Solutions Retail STAR Point of Sale POS
  • Millennium Software Atrex
  • Plexis Software Plexis POS
  • Point of sale POS software
  • POSitive Software POSitive for Windows
  • SAP POS Data Management
  • Specialized Business Solutions Keystroke POS
  • Windward Software Windward System Five
 Data management and query software
  • Claritas ConsumerPoint
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Oracle
  • Qlik Tech QlikViewHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Contact management software
  • FacebookHOT
  • Graphics software
  • LinkedInHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Presentation software
  • Scheduling software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Word processing software
 Development software
  • Eclipse IDEHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Infor Supply Chain Management
  • Inventory control systems
  • Kliger-Weiss Infosystems
  • Materials requirement planning MRP software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
  • Oracle Advanced Procurement
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise Supply Planning Multi-Site Material Planner
  • Oracle TaleoHOT
  • Project management software
  • Sourcing Simulator
 Network applications software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Web browser software
 Operating environment software
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
 Product/Equipment
  • Oracle Retail Predictive Application Server 13 Configuration Essentials
    500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood Shores, CA 94065800-833-3536

  • Oracle Retail Demand Forecasting 13.3 Functional Implementer Certified Implementation Specialist
    500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood Shores, CA 94065800-833-3536

 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Bridgewater College
 Programs
Marymount University
 Programs
Randolph-Macon College
 Programs