A buyer is responsible for deciding what to purchase, where to purchase from, how much to buy, and at what price to buy and sell. There are different types of buyers, including import buyers and retail buyers. The responsibilities of a buyer depend on factors like the organizational structure, types of goods sold, store size, and location. Buyers are typically responsible for market forecasting, merchandise planning and selection, working with suppliers, and preparing items to sell. They must keep up with trends, economic conditions, and customer preferences to determine what to purchase and how much.

1. BUYER
A buyer is an individual responsible for deciding, what
to buy, where to buy from, how much to buy, and what
price to buy and sell.

2. Buyer
Buyers of different types of organizations have
different needs – to meet their own customer
demands.
merchandise they buy
buying patterns
type and level of service

3. Types of buyers
Importer Buyer
Retail Buyer

4. Buying Responsibilities
The scope of the buyer’s job is dependent upon :
o organizational structure of the retail store
o the types of goods offered
o the store’s dollar volume
o the location of store branches
and units
Note: The duties and responsibilities may not
necessarily performed by all buyers.

5. Buying responsibilities
o Management responsibilities
o Market forecasting
o Merchandising planning and
selection
o Working with resources
o Preparing merchandise table

6. Management Responsibilities
Buyer has constant contact with salespeople,
merchandise managers, staff personnel, other store
buyers, and customers.

7. Management Responsibilities
Buyer is responsible of running a good department
, attracting consumers to the store and of course ,
maximizing profit.
To fulfill these duties buyer has to function as a
manager.

8. Market Forecasting
Buyer works as a market specialist –
awareness of external forces:
1. Market trends
2.Economic conditions
3. Technological advancements that will
affect consumer attitude
4.Computer applications in merchandising
5.Understand consumer behavior
6.What affects consumer buying decisions in the
market place

9. Merchandise planning and selection
The buyer is a planner.
A buyer should know the importance of record
keeping since he is instrumental is preparing the
merchandise budget.

10. Merchandise planning and selection
Store buyers must know
how assortment plans are
developed.
Buyer should know what
merchandise to buy as well
as how much to buy .

11. Working with resources
Buyer must visit domestic and
foreign trade centers.
May use the service of a resident
buying office.
Retail buyer should know the
techniques used in making buying
contacts, as well as developing
good buyer - vendor relationship.

12. Preparing Merchandise for Sale
The store buyer must be aware of the legal
aspects of pricing.
Determining wholesale price and the retail price
are all part of buyer’s job.
The buyer must be an
effective communicator.

13. The Importer
Buyer
Stockist
Has a design cell. Requires suppliers to work with his
designers on design & product development
Salesman/road samples
Works well in advance of the season
Comparatively longer lead times and large volumes

14. The Importer Buyer
Very price point conscious
Services a number of different levels of retailers
May have a private label, else does other store labels
All shipments are by sea – price
Note: Private label products or services are typically those
manufactured or provided by one company for offer under
another company's brand.

15. The Importer Buyer
Normally easy on quality requirements
Requirements may vary based on individual retailers
serviced

16. The Retail Buyer
Works for large department store groups or for specialty
chains :
Central Buyer
Multiple Stores Buyer

17. The Central Buyer
Normally represents chain store groups, specialty store
groups, and mail order groups
Senior person in the organization
Very Large buying budget - buys for all stores of the chain
Single apparel type buyer
May or may not give design inputs
Often selects merchandise from the manufacturers in
house collection

18. The Central Buyer
Represents the label so is very quality conscious
Could pay higher prices for good products
Goods go directly to retailer so presentation is of
importance
Buy closer to the season
Shorter lead times

19. The Central Buyer
Requirement on quantities are dependant on specific
chain size
Deliveries are time bound –
retail outlet stock planning
The final decision maker on his
merchandise

20. The Multiple Stores Buyer
Represents a number of independent retailers -
renders a buying service
Can be a multiple commodity buyer
Not the final decision maker on merchandise
selection
Very long decision-making process on final
confirmation

21. The Multiple Stores Buyer
Order placing / deliveries long drawn - final lead time
is short
Very quality conscious and strict on deliveries
Goods prices
Requires very close monitoring
and follow up

22. Thank you!!