Business & FinanceO*NET: 13-1199.06
Will AI Replace Online Merchants?
Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.
40out of 100
Medium Risk
AI Risk Score
40/100
Risk Level
Medium
Job Zone
4/5
Advanced
Total Tasks Analyzed
24
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.
- â–¸Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.
- â–¸Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.
- â–¸Calculate purchase subtotals, taxes, and shipping costs for submission to customers.
- â–¸Upload digital media, such as photos, video, or scanned images to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.
- â–¸Calculate revenue, sales, and expenses, using financial accounting or spreadsheet software.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.
- â–¸Compose descriptions of merchandise for posting to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.
- â–¸Collaborate with search engine shopping specialists to place marketing content in desired online locations.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (11)
- Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.
- Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.
- Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.
- Calculate purchase subtotals, taxes, and shipping costs for submission to customers.
- Upload digital media, such as photos, video, or scanned images to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.
- Calculate revenue, sales, and expenses, using financial accounting or spreadsheet software.
- Prepare or organize online storefront marketing material, including product descriptions or subject lines, optimizing content to search engine criteria.
- Create or maintain database of customer accounts.
- Promote products in online communities through weblog or discussion-forum postings, e-mail marketing programs, or online advertising.
- Measure and analyze Web site usage data to maximize search engine returns or refine customer interfaces.
- Disclose merchant information and terms and policies of transactions in online or offline materials.
👤Requires Humans (3)
- Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.
- Compose descriptions of merchandise for posting to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.
- Collaborate with search engine shopping specialists to place marketing content in desired online locations.
âš¡AI-Assisted (10)
- Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.
- Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.
- Determine and set product prices.
- Compose images of products, using video or still cameras, lighting equipment, props, or photo or video editing software.
- Cancel orders based on customer requests or inventory or delivery problems.
- Order or purchase merchandise to maintain optimal inventory levels.
- Determine location for product listings to maximize exposure to online traffic.
- Investigate products or markets to determine areas for opportunity or viability for merchandising specific products, using online or offline sources.
Key Skills Analysis
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.50/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.38/5.00
PersuasionAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
NegotiationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Related Occupations
Future-Proof Your Career
Whether AI poses a high or low risk to your role, staying ahead means continuous learning. Explore courses to build AI-resistant skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Online Merchants have a medium risk of AI replacement with a score of 40/100. While some tasks can be assisted by AI, the core responsibilities require human judgment and skills.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research