Understanding the Retail Environment- Where Buying Occurs- Todays Buying Environment- The Buying Function in Retailing- Buying for Different Types of StoresGetting Ready to Make Buying Decisions- Obtaining Assistance for Making Buying Decisions-MoreUnderstanding the Retail Environment- Where Buying Occurs- Todays Buying Environment- The Buying Function in Retailing- Buying for Different Types of StoresGetting Ready to Make Buying Decisions- Obtaining Assistance for Making Buying Decisions- Understanding Your Customers- Understanding Product Trends: What Customers BuyPlanning and Controlling Merchandise- Purchases- Forecasting- Preparing Buying Plans- Developing Assortment Plans- Controlling InventoriesPurchasing Merchandise- Selecting Vendors and BuildingPartnerships- Locating Sources in Domestic and Foreign Markets- Making Market Visits and Negotiating with Vendors- Making the PurchaseMotivating Customers to Buy- Pricing the Merchandise- Promoting the Merchandise- Updated and expanded chapter features: Internet Connections, Snapshots, and Trendwatches- New charts and illustrations- Expanded and updated coverage of direct marketing and the growing use of database-driven marketing and technology- Revised discussion of the types of buying offices and purchasing from foreign sources- Updated facts for identifying changes in consumer markets- More emphasis on using the Internet as a promotional tool- Increased coordination with companion text, Making Buying Decisions: Using the Computer as a Tool- Instructors Guide provides suggestions for planning the course and using the text in the classroom- PowerPoint Presentation provides outlines and ideas for lectures- compatible with PC and Mac platforms