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Abstract

Attention towards continuing professional development has been cited as a means of improving motivation and performance of retail store buyers. This study assessed the perceived importance of selected skills to a group of discount store buyers, using education, experience and store volume as variables. Opportunities for skill development by their employers were also examined.

Fifty-seven buyers (41 %) from discount chain stores within the United States responded to a mailed questionnaire. Most were 3 1 to 45 years old, had attended college, had seven to fifteen years experience, and were employed by retail organizations whose sales volume was between $1,000,000.00 and $500,000,000.00.

Results indicated even though the discount store buyers felt the use and development of selected skills highly important, minimal opportunity existed within the retail organization for skill development. Recommendations were made to stores to implement more training opportunities in order to provide development of skills the buyers deemed important.

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Perceived Importance of Selected Skills to a . Group of Discount Store Buyers

Abstract

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