Understanding the Retail Environment where buying occurs -Todays Buying Environment -The Buying Function in Retailing -Buying for Different Types of Stores Getting Ready to Make Buying Decisions -Obtaining Assistance for Making Buying Decisions -Understanding Your Customers -Understanding Product Trends: What Customers Buy Planning and Controlling Merchandise Purchases -Forecasting -Preparing Buying Plans -Developing Assortment Plans -Controlling Inventories Purchasing Merchandise -Selecting Vendors and Building Partnerships -Locating Sources in Domestic and Foreign Markets -Making Market Visits and Negotiating with Vendors -Making the Purchase Motivating Customers to Buy -Pricing the Merchadise -Promoting the Merchandise TEXT FEATURES * Principles of buyng with merchandising math * Emphasis on buying for a small business * Coverage of product dvelopment * Coverage of the use of the Internet for buying * Trendwatch sections discuss recent trend changes * Snapshots sections present up-to-date highlights of current merchandising concepts, strategies and techniques ** Instructor's Guide includes teaching suggestions, instructor goals, lecture outlines and Understanding What You Read Summaries *** PowerPoint (R) Presentation provides slides for a chapter-by-chapter lecture, helping you present concepts and materials.