Table of Contents

Contents Understanding the Retail Environment Where Buying Occurs -- Today's Buying Environment -- The Buying Function in Retailing -- Buying for Different Types of Stores Getting Ready to Make Buying Decisions -- Obtaining Assistance for Making Buying Decisions -- Understanding Your Customers -- Understanding Product Trends: What Customers Buy Planning and Controlling Merchandise Purchases -- Forecasting -- Preparing Buying Plans -- Developing Assortment Plans -- Controlling Inventories Purchasing Merchandise -- Selecting Vendors and Building Partnerships -- Locating Sources in Domestic and Foreign Markets -- Making Market Visits and Negotiating with Vendors -- Making the Purchase Motivating Customers to Buy -- Pricing the Merchandise -- Promoting the Merchandise

About the Author

Richard Clodfelter is at the University of South Carolina.