A retail purchase order is a document issued by a retailer that places an order with a supplier for goods to be sold in their store(s). The bigger the retailer (think Sears, Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, JC Penney etc.) the more complex the purchase order. A retailer purchase outlines the goods to be delivered and the terms of the order. Common information on the purchase order includes who is buying the goods, where they are to be delivered (ship to:), when they need to arrive, the quantities being ordered and the price the retailer will pay the supplier. Most larger retailers issue some sort of electronic purchase orders when ordering goods and require their suppliers to be EDI (electronic data interface) capable.
The retail purchase order also lists any special terms and conditions specific to that order. Most purchase orders also refer back to a master vendor agreement that is much more specific as to the ongoing relationship between the the retail supplier and the retailer. The bigger the retailer placing the order the more in that retailer’s favor both the retail purchase order and the master vendor agreement usually are.
