2. To select and order merchandise for a retail company or store. Work with designers, merchandise team, and department managers to decide on products to sell. Negotiate prices with suppliers. Attend trade shows, fashion shows, warehouses, and factories to view different merchandise.

3. Associate or Bachelor degree in business- related field preferred. Post-secondary programs in public relations, marketing, merchandising, or business. Master’s degree in business administration may be required for larger companies. Retail experience is very important.

4. Must be able to predict trends for upcoming seasons Knowledge of history of fashion Negotiation skills Great communication To work long hours, especially during holiday seasons Must always be prepared and organized Must be able to travel

5. Responsible Efficient Well-motivated Decisive Good with people Creative Confident

6. Assistant or Junior Buyer: $29,000 - $46,000* Senior Buyer Assistant with 2-4 years experience: $35,000 - $66,000* Merchandise Buyer with 2-4 years experience: $68,000 - $91,000* Senior or Head Buyer with 4+ years experience: $83,000 - $117,000* Salary may also include health benefits, bonuses, and merchandise discounts *Salary may range depending on size of company.

7. All over the world Buyers for large companies may be based out of major market cities such as London, New York, Los Angeles, etc. Requires a lot of traveling to fashion and trade shows, branch stores, and foreign markets.

8. Expected to grow 21% - 35% in the next ten years. Average annual openings in California: 470

9. Fashion Merchandising Salary- Accessed 11/28/2010 http://www.fashion- schools.org/fashion-merchandising.htmhttp://www.fashion- schools.org/fashion-merchandising.htm Career details for Fashion Buyer- Accessed 11/28/2010 http://www.careercruising.com/Careers/JobDet ails.aspx?LoginID=3c2a3abc-7a96-496d-8b1e- 1bc80d8185f4- &OccNumber=380&field=JobDesc http://www.careercruising.com/Careers/JobDet ails.aspx?LoginID=3c2a3abc-7a96-496d-8b1e- 1bc80d8185f4- &OccNumber=380&field=JobDesc Buyer Careers: Retail Buyers- Accessed 11/28/2010 http://www.fashion- schools.org/fashion-buyer.htmhttp://www.fashion- schools.org/fashion-buyer.htm