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Fashion Retail Buyer Job Profile

Are you interested in fashion and love a fast-paced working environment? Retail merchandising may be for you! A retail buyer (merchandiser) is responsible for the process that allows the final clothing line to appear in a store. Buyers work with designers to ensure that their brand will represent the most recent trends, negotiate costs with vendors, work with technical designers to ensure the garment fits the customer perfectly, and makes sure the vendors meet the delivery deadline.

Buyers' decisions can directly impact a store's reputation and profits. Buyers are usually under a lot of pressure because they are responsible for buying the merchandise that will keep customers shopping at their store.

Buyers, unlike typical shoppers, must analyze inventory and sales reports, meet with consultants and vendors, attend trade and fashion shows, follow advertisements for competitors, negotiate prices, payment and delivery, and much more. A buyer often works long hours and must travel frequently.

A small store may only have one buyer who is responsible for all the merchandise. However, larger stores usually have assistant or associate buyers who work under the head buyer to purchase items for individual departments. Buyers often start out as assistants or associates in order to learn the trade. Many retailers hire college graduates into a management training programs, and individuals interested in becoming buyers can progress from there.

Buyers should have a good eye for fashions and trends, however this is not the only skill important in a buyer's career. Retail buyers should also have a keen sense of how a business operates, analytical skills, and a willingness to work long hours and bear the weight of the responsibility buying entails.