JOB REPORT / 13-1022 · 20 TASKS

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products.

Can AI do the work of Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

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How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions…
Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements…
Provide clerks with information to print on price tags

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products work. It covers the 20 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

20 of 20 tasks reviewed

We went through all 20 core tasks in this job, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.
AI DOES
Scans sales records, flags trends, and generates demand forecasts from large datasets
YOU DO
Apply real-world context, supplier knowledge, and business strategy to final buying decisions
TASK 02
Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.
AI DOES
Scrapes, tracks, and summarizes competitor ads and promotions across websites and digital media
YOU DO
Decide what the data means for your own buying strategy and spot trends that numbers miss
TASK 03
Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.
AI DOES
Pulls product numbers, calculates price changes, and formats tag data from inventory systems
YOU DO
Set the pricing strategy and catch errors that don't match store goals
TASK 04
Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.
AI DOES
Pulls competitor prices, analyzes sales history, and suggests pricing ranges based on margin targets
YOU DO
Apply store knowledge, customer expectations, and negotiation context to finalize the call
TASK 05
Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
AI DOES
Matches invoices to orders, flags discrepancies, and drafts approval or return requests
YOU DO
Make the final call on disputes, vendor relationships, and edge cases
TASK 06
Compare transportation options to determine the most energy-efficient options.
AI DOES
Gathers and compares fuel efficiency, emissions, and cost data across shipping modes
YOU DO
Weigh business relationships, delivery deadlines, and total cost together
TASK 07
Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.
AI DOES
Gathers and compares environmental ratings, certifications, and carbon data across products
YOU DO
Weigh real business costs, supplier relationships, and what customers actually value
TASK 08
Identify opportunities to buy green commodities, such as alternative energy, water, or carbon-neutral products for resale to consumers.
AI DOES
Scans green product markets, flags emerging suppliers, and summarizes sustainability certifications
YOU DO
Build supplier relationships and judge which green products your specific customers will actually buy
TASK 09
Monitor consumer preferences or environmental trends to determine the best way to introduce new green products.
AI DOES
Scans news, social media, and market reports to spot green product trends and summarize consumer preferences
YOU DO
Use your market knowledge and supplier relationships to decide which green products are actually worth bringing in
TASK 10
Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
AI DOES
Analyzes sales trends, flags slow-moving stock, and suggests reorder quantities
YOU DO
Build supplier trust, negotiate terms, and judge what customers will actually want
TASK 11
Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
AI DOES
Searches supplier catalogs, compares prices and specs, and flags items that meet requirements
YOU DO
Touch and inspect products, negotiate with vendors, and weigh subtle quality factors
TASK 12
Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
AI DOES
Pulls competitor pricing, suggests talking points, and drafts negotiation scripts
YOU DO
Read the room, build trust, and make judgment calls in live conversations
TASK 13
Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
AI DOES
Summarizes conversation notes, flags trends in customer feedback, and drafts follow-up questions
YOU DO
Build trust in real conversations and read the room
TASK 14
Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.
AI DOES
Pulls sales trends, flags top performers, and suggests ad timing based on data patterns
YOU DO
Use your market feel and vendor knowledge to choose what truly fits the brand and customer right now
TASK 15
Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
AI DOES
Drafts vendor outreach emails, researches supplier options, and summarizes product specs
YOU DO
Build trust with vendors and negotiate deals face-to-face
TASK 16
Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.
AI DOES
Drafts presentation content, product summaries, and key selling points
YOU DO
Lead the live meeting, field questions, and build team buy-in
TASK 17
Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
AI DOES
Pulls spending reports, flags budget gaps, and suggests talking points before the meeting
YOU DO
Read the room, negotiate priorities, and build the working relationship face to face
TASK 18
Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.
AI DOES
Drafts training guides, quizzes, and onboarding checklists
YOU DO
Show up, read the room, and build real trust with your team
TASK 19
Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
AI DOES
Helps research product specs, supplier ratings, and quality benchmarks before inspection
YOU DO
Physically handle and judge the real item in front of you
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers.
AI DOES
Generates campaign ideas and audience targeting options
YOU DO
Choose the authentic message that connects
About this analysis
24% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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Your job, task by task.

Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.

Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.

Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.

Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.

Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.

Compare transportation options to determine the most energy-efficient options.

Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.

Identify opportunities to buy green commodities, such as alternative energy, water, or carbon-neutral products for resale to consumers.

Monitor consumer preferences or environmental trends to determine the best way to introduce new green products.

Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.

Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.

Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.

Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.

Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.

Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.

Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.

Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.

Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.

Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.

Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.