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How a wholesale / retail buyer can use AI, task by task

O*NET 13-1022.00: Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products16 tasksJob Zone 3: Medium preparation

Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

Your job title Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Bakery Buyer, Buyer, Deli Buyer, Frozen Food Buyer, Gourmet Food Buyer, Grocery Buyer, Purchaser, Retail Buyer, Wine Buyer.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 20%AI-assist 70%Stays human 11%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 4 AI-ready, 10 AI-assist and 2 human-led tasks out of 16. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork

Thinking & planning

People & communication

Leading & teaching

Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.Handle the admin · Daily
Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.Coordinate & message · Daily
Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.Handle the admin · Daily

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.Make the call · Daily
Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.Lead people · Weekly

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

AI can draft these 4

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.

Daily

AI maps out the topic and options; confirm with real sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a fast research assistant. Ask it to map out a topic, compare options or list what to check. Use a tool with web search and ask for its sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.

Context: The work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
What I'm buying: [product or service, specs, volume]
Criteria: [price, quality, lead time, support]

Give me a comparison framework, questions to ask each supplier, and red flags. Make a scoring table I can fill in.

10-minute exercise: Compare suppliers or products

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collaborate with vendors (today).

Step 2Fill in [What I'm buying] and [Criteria] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Send the supplier questions and score at least two suppliers in the table.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Obtain information about goods or services..

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

Daily

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 55% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.

Context: We use Qlik Tech QlikView and Intuit QuickBooks; the work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
Data: [sales, demographics]
Goal: [buying, product decisions]

Find trends and recommendations. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Consumer trend analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor and analyze sales records, trends and economic conditions (today).

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze consumer trends.. Also involves: Analyze market conditions or trends..

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

Monthly

AI generates ideas and first drafts to choose from.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 40% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a brainstorming partner and first-draft machine for copy, concepts and variations. Your taste and judgment pick the winner.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.

Context: We use Graphics software and Facebook; the work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
Purpose: [poster, newsletter, website section, ad]
Key message and audience: [describe]

Draft copy and a layout outline, plus 3 headline options. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Marketing materials

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you determine which products should be featured in advertising.

Step 2Fill in [Purpose] and [Key message and audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Choose a headline and edit the copy in your voice.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 3.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Create marketing materials..

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

Monthly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.

Context: We use Qlik Tech QlikView and Intuit QuickBooks; the work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
Market: [describe]
Data: [sales, competitors, prices]

Analyze trends and opportunities. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Market analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor competitors' sales activities.

Step 2Fill in [Market] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 2.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Analyze market conditions or trends..

AI can help you prep these 10

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

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

Daily

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and SAP software.
Products: [describe]
Data: [stock, sales]

Organize a buy plan. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Merchandise buying

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you buy merchandise or commodities (today).

Step 2Fill in [Products] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Purchase stocks of merchandise or supplies..

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

Daily

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.

Context: We use Purchasing software.
Topic: [new merchandise, customer needs]
Attendees: [sales, purchasing]

Draft an agenda and talking points. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Business coordination meeting

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you obtain information about customer needs or preferences (today). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Attendees] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations..

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

Daily

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and SAP software.
Products: [farm products, merchandise]
Requirements: [quality, quantity]

Organize a purchase plan. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Purchasing products

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent (today).

Step 2Fill in [Products] and [Requirements] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Purchase products or services..

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

Daily

AI preps talking points and practice; the relationship is yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps you: talking points, objection handling, tailored outreach and negotiation scenarios. The relationship and reading the room are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.

Context: We use Claritas ConsumerPoint; the work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
Supplier: [type]
Terms: [price, discount, transport]

Prepare and role-play. Keep claims honest, list likely objections with responses, and role-play the other side so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Supplier contract negotiation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements (today).

Step 2Fill in [Supplier] and [Terms] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Ask for feedback on your answers and write down your best line for the real conversation.

Make sure every claim AI writes about your product is true and allowed. Over-promising is on you.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers..

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

Daily

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 36% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.

Context: We use Qlik Tech QlikView and Intuit QuickBooks; the work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
Goods or services: [crops, merchandise, products]
Data: [cost, quality, market prices]

Recommend a value or price range with reasoning and formulas for mark-up or mark-down. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Value and pricing

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates and merchandise selling prices (today).

Step 2Fill in [Goods or services] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Determine the value of goods or services.. Also involves: Advise others on business or operational matters..

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

Daily

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.

Topic: [budget, policy, purchases]
My view: [describe]

Draft talking points and data to bring. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Discuss with management

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods (today).

Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [My view] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Discuss business strategies, practices, or policies with managers..

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

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 75% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.

Context: We use Qlik Tech QlikView and Intuit QuickBooks; the work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
Goods or services: [crops, merchandise, products]
Data: [cost, quality, market prices]

Recommend a value or price range with reasoning and formulas for mark-up or mark-down. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Value and pricing

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you inspect merchandise or products (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Goods or services] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Determine the value of goods or services..

Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.

Context: We use Eclipse IDE; the work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
Topic: [regulation, product impact, sustainable practice]
Why it matters to us: [decision or compliance need]

Give me a brief: current rules or standards, key facts, options, and sources to verify. Note what may have changed recently.

10-minute exercise: Environmental issues brief

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Why it matters to us] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Confirm the rules against the agency's current site.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Research issues related to the environment or sustainable business practices..

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

Weekly

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.

Who: [clerks, staff, crew]
Information: [prices, schedule, changes]

Draft a clear message with exactly what they need to do. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Update coworkers

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide clerks (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Who] and [Information] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Provide information to coworkers..

Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.

A few times a year

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.

Topic: [new merchandise, customer needs]
Attendees: [sales, purchasing]

Draft an agenda and talking points. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Business coordination meeting

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct sales meetings.

Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Attendees] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 3.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations..

These stay human 2

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Contact with others: constant contact with others · Face-to-face discussions: every day · Frequency of decisions: once a week or more but not every day · Impact of decisions: important results

Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.

Daily

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.

Context: The work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
Request: [invoice, return, risk]
Policy limits: [authority, rules]

Summarize the request against policy and risks so I can decide. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Financial authorization check

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you authorize payment of invoices (today).

Step 2Fill in [Request] and [Policy limits] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Authorize financial actions.. Also involves: Disburse funds from clients accounts to creditors..

Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a wholesale / retail buyer. Part of my job is to train or supervise sales or clerical staff.

Context: The work draws on production and processing, administration and management and sales and marketing.
Team: [describe]
Issue or goal: [performance, change, priority]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Supervising employees

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you train or supervise sales or clerical staff (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Issue or goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Follow through on what you said you'd check.

Importance 3.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Supervise employees.. Also involves: Train personnel to enhance job skills..

Get the full prompt pack for Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

Learning Strategiesimportance 2.9/5
Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Instructingimportance 2.9/5
Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Time Managementimportance 2.9/5
Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Monitoring and Controlling Resources
Active Listeningimportance 3.9/5
Used in: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.6/5
Used in: Getting Information
Speakingimportance 3.9/5
Used in: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Sales Managers46% human-led · Needs more preparation · $148,270/yr · usually bachelor's degree
Skills to build: Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources, Systems Analysis
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products8% human-led · Needs more preparation · usually bachelor's degree
Skills to build: Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Time Management
Logisticians42% human-led · Needs more preparation · $82,320/yr · usually bachelor's degree
Skills to build: Operations Analysis, Coordination, Systems Analysis
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers14% human-led · Needs more preparation · $87,520/yr · usually bachelor's degree
Skills to build: Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources, Instructing

Getting into this job

O*NET has not surveyed education and training for this occupation yet.

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

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