MCH150: Retail Buying

This course introduces students to the basic elements of retail buying. Topics include an analysis of the factors influencing the selection of merchandise and the techniques involved, anticipation of customer demand, and the relationships among participants in the supply chain. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to describe the steps and roles in the retailing supply chain, describe and explain the tools used by a retail buyer in
identifying their purchasing needs and obtaining merchandise, and explain the role of the retail establishment from planning to receiving, control, and selling of merchandise.

Factors Influencing Selection of Merchandise and Techniques Involved

2006 Stores Retail Buying Guide
National Retail Federation's annual buying guide

CIO.com
Various articles on technology trends in retail

Merchandising for Sales and Profit
Article by Donna Geary that focuses on presentation of store merchandise for promoting impulse sales

Network World
Latest news on networking in retail

Additional Sites of Interest

ARMS
The Association of Retail Marketing Services

ACCESSORIESmagazine.com
2004 census statistics on trends in women's accessories

American Association of Advertising Agencies
National trade association representing the advertising agency business

American Marketing Association
Professional association for marketers

Baker Library Research Guide (Harvard)
Academic and career research guide to retail and wholesale industry in general

Best Franchise Opportunities
Franchising and small business information

Better Business Bureau
Consumer ratings and reports on businesses and charities

Business 2.0
Business and technology news

Business Week
Business news

CNN/Money
Business news from CNN and Money magazine

Chain Store Age
News for retail executives

DSA
Direct Selling Association

Direct Marketing Association
Telephone, mail, and internet marketing

Entrepreneur
Solutions for growing businesses

FedWorld
U.S. Department of Commerce

Federal Trade Commission
Information for businesses

FranchiseHandbook.com
Franchise directory and franchising opportunities

Hoover's Online
View company profiles and view stats and biographies for individual business people

ICSC
International Council of Shopping Centers

ISBC
International Small Business Consortium

International Franchise Association
Membership organization for franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers

NAFE
National Association for Female Executives

National Retail Federation
World's largest retail trade association

RILA
Retail Industry Leaders Association

Radio Advertising Bureau
Trade promotional arm of the commercial radio industry in the U.S.

Retail Advertising & Marketing Association
International organization for retail marketing and advertising professionals

Small Business Grants
Resources from About.com

StartupJournal
The Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs

Style Guide
Visual merchandising, retail design, and sales promotion

TSNN
Trade show directory for exposition and exhibitor tradeshow services

Top 100 Retailers
Nation's 2005 top retailers from Stores.org

United States Small Business Association
Resources for small businesses

Visual Store
Retail design and visual merchandising resource

Wall Street Journal
Business and stock market news

Anticipation of Customer Demand

AllBusiness.com
Article, "Supply Chain Secrets Help Retailers Under Customers", by Carol Carter

IT Week
Article, "Retailers Respond to Customer Demand with New Technology", by Miya Knights (UK)

Retail Demand Forecasting and Inventory Management Applications
From Ted Hurlbut at About.com

Retail Forward
Future spending index, include an overview and methodology

Relationships Among Participants in the Supply Chain

National Retail Federation
Directory of state, national, and international retail associations

Retail Supply Chain Challenges and Solutions
Information from NuThink, Inc. at About.com

Supply Chain Efficiency
Key retail industry issues from the National Retail Federation (available at About.com)

Worth Global Style Network

WGSN
This is a free resource that provides fashion forecasting and trend analysis, the latest fashion news, reports from trade shows and runways, and color images. Access requires a PIN. Please ask your instructor, or contact wolresources@westwood.edu.