Is there a difference between procurement and merchandising? (PHYSICAL TRADING QUESTION)

What are the differences between procurement and merchandising? I understand that merchants serve as middlemen in the global distribution of goods, while procurement sources materials for manufacturing, but are they more similar than they are different? Do people with procurement history transition into merchandising better than people who come from a different background?

Thanks

2 Comments
 

Procurement for raw materials is possible and I have seen it happen a few times.

However, putting everything else into perspective - procurement and trading are completely different. I deal with procurement staff in companies I try to trade with and they most of the time put onerous processes in place to 'procure' basic tradeable commodities.

Have a read through procurement methods and practices from google will give you some insight of their principles and guidelines.

 
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