13-1022.00 · Task explorer
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
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.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 16 tasks, including 10 marked Core and 6 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.
Task source dates: 08/2026.
16 tasks shown
Core · Task 20711 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
Core · Task 20716 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
Core · Task 20713 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.
Core · Task 20714 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
Core · Task 20710 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
Core · Task 20715 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
Core · Task 68 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
Core · Task 72 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
Core · Task 66 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.
Core · Task 20712 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
Supplemental · Task 77 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.
Supplemental · Task 19547 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.
Supplemental · Task 78 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.
Supplemental · Task 76 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.
Supplemental · Task 20717 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.
Supplemental · Task 79 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.
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Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
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