Business & EconomicsStable Study ProspectsBachelor
Merchandising and Buying Operations
Also known as: Retail Buying, Merchandise Management
A program that prepares individuals to function as professional buyers of resale products and product lines for stores, chains, and other retail enterprises. Includes instruction in product evaluation, merchandising, applicable aspects of brand and consumer research, principles of purchasing, and n
Your 9 AM "Introduction to Consumer Behavior" lecture kicks off the week, discussing market segmentation. Later, you meet with your Product Evaluation group in the library to brainstorm for your upcoming presentation on a new beverage product. You're assigned the task of researching competitor pricing strategies using industry reports. After dinner, you hit the campus gym for a quick workout, clearing your head before diving into textbook readings for tomorrow's Merchandising Strategies class, focusing on visual display principles.
Graduates can pursue careers as retail buyers, merchandise planners, sourcing managers, or product managers. They are essential for curating product assortments that meet consumer demand and drive sales for various retail businesses, from fashion to consumer electronics.
Impact of AI on this Study
AI significantly impacts merchandising by enabling predictive analytics for trend forecasting, optimizing inventory management, and personalizing product recommendations. This allows buyers to make highly data-driven decisions, improving efficiency, reducing waste, and maximizing profitability.