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So that brings us to the end of our episode, and the end of Season 2! We hope you’ve enjoyed listening to this season as much as we have enjoyed recording it, we’ve tried to keep our episodes to max 30 mins, but with so much to talk about it can be hard to keep to that time frame, we just get carried away, run off on tangents, and the topics are just so big it can be hard to limit ourselves - we’re just bursting with chat! We should have ourselves a strict CP for our recordings in true retail buying fashion! Hahaha. But hopefully you like our assortment of topics, and extra bonus content!
We’d love to hear from you, particularly topics you’d like to hear about, we’ve had a few DMs with some ideas shared which we are already thinking about for our Season 3, so feel free to drop us more!
We’re so excited about what the September season is going to bring, and can't wait to share what we have been working on with you all - and as buyers we all know, feedback is a gift, so please please do let us know what you think!
And thats us signing off for summer - follow us on Insta for content that hopefully helps to fill your cup when those sunny sales suffer (or stormy, its the UK, who knows what sort of weather we’ll be having through these school holidays..!!), lets support each other though awful augusts and not battle to beat each other down with promo after promo and racing our prices to the bottom… Looking forward to the start of september, trade shows, catwalks, new season wardrobes and into that golden quarter…
*Kefir is a fermented milk drink similar to a thin yogurt or ayran that is made from kefir grains, a specific type of mesophilic symbiotic culture.
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This is a topic we are both incredible passionate about, in this episode we discuss what does sustainability actually mean, how are certain retailers getting behind it. The greenwashing effect and our thoughts on some brands that are making some great changes in how we think about where our products come from. Quality vs cost and the new emerging rental market.
Here are our most passionate points summarised -
Climate change is real, and retail has realised we have a huge part to play. We all need to step up and push to pivot into more sustainable shopping habits and be realistic about the future of retail..Embracing the move into rental and reused, or pre-loved. How can we as big retailers be a part of the change and offer options to encourage circular consumer habitsLet's get back to quality as number 1, it should be a foundation brick for all retail, make to last, not to throw away. It may mean re-looking at our price architecture, but with people buying less, investing more, we need to balance our books while also not being to concerned with the cost of living, as customers mindset shifts to quality v quantity!Check out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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Manglende episoder?
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In Episode 8 we discuss the importance of personal development, taking ownership and driving your own development. It’s easier said than done though, so we share our recommendations for learning opportunities, podcasts that we love (other than ours, haha), life coaching and mentoring. Of course we go off on tangents around motivation and positivity - spin studios, BMF, netflix sports documentaries, women supporting women…We also talk about finding your support network, these are the people that you feel comfortable sharing your vulnerable side and the ones that will champion you.
We would really encourage you to seek the following to help support driving your own development:
Seek out that support, whether that is a friend, co-worker, manager or someone in the workplace that you really respect. Go for a coffee, have an informal chat and no doubt it will open up new avenues and opportunities. If we’re honest there is a great need and not enough of mentoring in retail, but if we all start seeking it out, it will drive the change we need. Look externally for extra support, so seek out podcasts, audio books, online courses etc that will give you information in bitesize chunks that you can listen to while you go about your busy life; cooking dinner, on the way to work/the gym/a friends house etc… It’s a worthwhile investmentLife Coaching is a great tool to use to find out what your career path is, no one really knows where their career is going, and having a forum to openly discuss can really help to guide youCheck out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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This has been such a fun episode to record and it’s been great to have another opinion thrown into the mix! Emma shares really brilliant insights into the opportunities she’s taken, from merchandising laptops to buying beauty & gifting, and how the skills gained through each role can be transferable across the retail landscape. We talk about the difference between all of Emma's roles, own brand and branded, how online trades differently, decisions based on data v gut, and we touch on the advancements of technology… Plus we talk about Emma’s favourite store, immersing yourself in a shopping experience and treating yourself to a little something to give yourself a pocket friendly pick me up - the beauty of beauty!
Always take every opportunity as all of your skills are transferable i would never of imagined going from laptops to beauty at a fashion retailer, harness every opportunity as a chance to learn something newThe reason we love buying is that we love product and that you can be creative in branded and own brand whether that’s creating your own brand or seaking someone else’sHarness your power as a buyer to make a change weather that’s through elevating a small brand and a platform to grow or driving sustainability within your product areaCheck out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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In episode 6 the focus is on travel again, but this time inspiration trips, one of the most creative parts of the job! Similarly to a development trip, you will need to be keeping on top of your BAU, so again, as fabulous as the destinations can be, and nice it is to be out of the office, that day to day running of the team doesn’t go away - but it’s worth the juggle for the ideas you can get! We talk about the incredible places that Buyers get to visit, the quick turn around of product from festival to factory, and ….. It’s one of the the best ways to absorb yourself in creativity and see products from a consumer point of view - just make sure you take photos before you have a cheeky drink…!
Here are our 3 recommendations for inspo trips -
Don’t just stay in your lane, Inspiration trips are a great one for going with other departments, such as design, or marketing, or VM, and having a great bounce around of ideasIncorporate store visits if you have any in that area - great to see from customer point of view in another demographic/geo location Plan an Inspiration trip to gain the right information at the right time to influence your next range. Think carefully about timing. Ideally this will be at the beginning of your Critical Path to help you plan your strategy - but depending on your product category it might be months ahead of your CP starting e.g. beach inspiration trips may need to be in the summer (depending on where you’re going) but your CP may not need to start until the following February..Check out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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In episode 5, we continue our chat on suppliers - as we’ve said, they are the centre of product! We’re talking about that optimum number of suppliers, comparing our supply base to our wardrobe and building long standing relationships with core suppliers. We touch on sustainability, from more of a business stability point of view and discuss bringing on new suppliers, new products and new capabilities. Whether there is a return to heritage suppliers and long standing suppliers that understand your brand. How best do you manage suppliers, ensure they have the TLC they need, but also limit the contact in your already very busy day! Our top tips for creating and ensuring you have a great supply base to work with.
Here are our 3 recommendations-
Optimise, not rationalise. Fewer suppliers means more focus, but don’t get rid of too many! If you are considerate in what you need, you can make sure you have the strongest range and spread the risk. Encourage more partnerships, particularly with your top suppliers, invest in each other. Have full confidence in each other and support growth on both sides.Sustainability is key, make sure the right intentions are there, dont buy into greenwashing ensure your suppliers are clearly invested for the right reasonsCheck out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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In Episode 4 we talk about our experience of working with suppliers across the world, both direct factories and agents, in the UK, and the Far East. It feels like we have only just scratched the surface on this one as it is such a huge topic, suppliers are a huge part of a Buyer's life as without our suppliers and factories we wouldn’t have any product! We spend most of this episode talking about finding suppliers, developing relationships, and the importance of establishing a strong network of suppliers that you can rely on. How do you find a new supplier or factory? How do you know if they have the capabilities and the quality and prices will be as you need? This can be particularly hard when venturing into a new product area, so how do you onboard new suppliers without taking too much of a risk. Just imagine if there was a tripadvisor but for factories…gold dust!
More transparency is essential for more ethical practices. If we share more information on suppliers and factories we can protect our businesses AND support factories to grow. Take the view that a supplier is a tool for creating the product. The supplier is there to help to execute and if you’re confident with your brand handwriting then sharing the tools shouldn’t be a concernSupport your supplier and factories by sharing your product plans at the earliest opportunity so they are confident to plan better, pay their workers well, and encourage them to share their critical paths so you can work together to utilise the workforce better and potentially increase their production.Build your supply base for the long haul, a great team requires time and investment on both sides. By doing this you will future proof your range and it allows you to concentrate on developing great product and the best deals for both parties
Here are our top 3 takeaways from today's conversation…Check out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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In episode 3 we continue the conversation around travelling, it’s all about preparation and being productive - as well as exhausted! Buying trips are so full on, it’s the definition of work hard and play hard. You have to fit in as much as possible in a very short space of time, but it’s worth it - and remember that sometimes you’re just so delirious and tired you just have to laugh (or you’ll cry!) It’s most definitely NOT a holiday - whatever other departments might think! Sure you get to see great places, and experience new cultures and try new foods, but it is intense and there is no down time. Just take it all in, you’ll be running at 100 mph, juggling everything, but you can rest when you get home…and make sure you do! The 3 things we really want to highlight from today's episode are:-
It’s not a holiday. It can be such an amazing experience, so much to take in with new cultures to and cuisines to try, but as we’ve said a few times, it will be exhausting, so be prepared. Take snacks, sleep aids and just embrace it. It’s the epitome of ‘work hard, play hard’ - you will be working closely with suppliers from early morning to late nights, and then often eating out in the evening, taking in a lot of information, and also juggling your BAU and team management back in the office (from a different time zone!)Think about geographical efficiencies in order to plan your trip effectively - as we’ve said, you will need to fit in as much as possible, so make it as easy as possible on yourself by making sure your schedule flows well.Check out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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Travelling can be such an amazing experience, you can come back so full of ideas and expertise on your product category! It’s so important to get out to see factories, they are absolutely fascinating and really take you behind the scenes of the product. It can be one of the best parts of a buying role, and also one of the most exhausting.
Understanding the manufacturing processes of a product is invaluable. You see the end to end process, the intricacies and also the pain points. It will help you to make improvements to your product, and also assist in your negotiations to ensure your product remains good quality & VFMAsk questions and be inquisitive. You often find you uncover new product capabilities, and you’ll supercharge your knowledge of the product areas seeing the manufacturing process first hand. Become an expert. Spending time with your suppliers and having face to face meetings can really improve your relationship and your communications. It’s much easier to share and explain in person
We would really encourage you to put the following into action during your product development trips -Check out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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We’re back for Season 2 - and you’ve made it! That title is yours! You are now the leader of the team…but with that comes responsibilities too. You’re setting the strategy, you’re creating and selecting all the products, it’s your range and your vision, but you’re also moving into more of a management role. It’s such an exciting time becoming a buyer and finally getting that title is the ultimate dream, so lets celebrate with 3 reasons we love being a Buyer -
You now have full control to set the direction, put all your plans into place and steer your ship (...under the leadership of your Head of Buying/Buying Director/CEO…etc, lets not get too carried away now!)The opportunity to build the team you want around you, to nurture and create Buyers of the future. You also have the responsibility of balancing keeping your team in the loop, but also keeping them motivated, which may mean protecting them from direction, decisions and difficult conversations from the top. You can make a positive change - treat your team how you would like to be treated, value their opinions and be a role model (maybe the one you wish you’d had….)Check out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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We’re ending this season by reminding ourselves why we love our jobs in retail buying, more trips down memory lane, the friends we’ve made, the parties we’ve been to and the fun, laughter and creativity that comes with it!
Here are our favourite things about Buying summarised into 3 points -
1) The excitement of a new idea brewing, working with your team to bring the idea to life, launching with bells & whistles, seeing the success in sales and joy it brings to customers and then analysing how and why it was such a success, and figuring out how to do it all again - same same but different!
2) Being at the forefront of trends, new and exciting creativity, products and projects, and being surrounded all day everyday (mostly) with people who share the same passion and designs that inspire and keep you motivated
3) Discovering new products, sourcing new fabrics and materials and visiting factories to learn all about the manufacturing, new processes and driving a more sustainable agenda.
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) and if you already have, thank you!Check out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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In this episode we’re chatting about all things management, so often there is no training and you just have to learn on the job. We discuss our first experiences of managing, our preferred management style and the importance of managing up and down.
Here are three things we would encourage managers to do -
1) Check in, show up be, present for your team - you’ll gain their respect.
2) Adapt your communication style depending on who you’re talking with to get the best result.
3) Align your goals. You are your team, there’s no ‘I’ in team. If they’re performing, then you’re performing.
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In Episode 8 we chat about a really common task that most buyers carry out called a compshop. It’s really about how we gather our market data and take inspiration from retailers. It’s important to remember that this isnt copying or stealing ideas its gathering information to identify trends and also make sure you are relevant in the market place. It can help you to also identify and define your USP and understand a range structure when looking at a new category.
*Side note: MK = Marie Kondo!Our top 3 suggestions for making sure you get the most impactful ideas & inspiration for your product ranges are:
1) Get out to stores, no matter how busy you are. Online is great for giving you wide reach view on the retail landscape, but there’s nothing quite like seeing and feeling the product to really understand the size, weight, quality, colour, value for money, etc etc etc.
2) Inspiration can be found everywhere - walking through your local town, popping to your local garden centre, going out for dinner with friends
3) Share your finds and ideas - make sure you plan in some time to follow up before you get bogged down with the BAU (Business as usual….!)
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) and if you already have, thank you!Check out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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In this Episode we focus on the Sign Off meeting, we set the scene, talk about the general scenarios you might find, the questions you may face, and how to handle it all like an absolute pro..!
Our top tips for a successful sign off…
1) Confidence in presenting, this is your show, and keep calm when questioned, even when you don't know the answers
2) Ask for constructive feedback, don’t be afraid to ask why
3) Push for the products you believe in, they will respect you for standing up for the range you pulled together - but don’t fight too hard as the final decision is theirs, and ultimately they are accountable
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) and if you already have, thank you!
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Episode 6 is all about the critical path, which is essentially a sequence of tasks you need to finish on time in order to complete your initiative. It’s a flow chart that needs to be followed as tightly as possible as any delays in critical tasks will delay your whole project. It starts from setting your strategy and takes you all the way through to launching your products on time - you hope! It’s more critical and creative thinking too, if you face an obstacle in your critical path, how are you going to find a work around. Time is money! Buyers are always working in the future, planning for at least 6 months, if not 1 year, or even 18 months ahead. It’s can be a long process - and so this is a long episode!
*note this episode was recorded in December 2023So our round up of episode 6 is -
1) Plan plan plan but be prepared for it not to go to plan
2) The key to a successful sign off is a clear informative strategy and those product review touch points
3) Everyone has a role to play but essentially you are the conductor. The buyer must keep everyone on track an ensure that they have completed their parts of the plan
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) and if you already have, thank you!Check out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
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In episode 5 we talk about trade. It's the main meeting that shapes our week, challenges us to think creatively and find solutions. It focuses on sales - how did you perform last week, what is your forecast for the next week, month, etc. Buyers costly analyse numbers as the key objective is to drive sales and see the business is growing - and if it isn't you need to be quick to adapt and come up with the new sales driving ideas. A successful trade meeting can also really be about how your present the facts, how are you trading your stock and being flexible to the needs of the business - a good performance equals good results (whether your sales are up or down!)
Here are our top 3 tips to survive a trade meeting -1) Speak confidently, you know your category inside out… if your thrown by an unexpected question keep calm and say you will find out and get back to them ASAP- but make sure you give an update by EOD!
2) Always have an action plan…no one really cares how sales were last week if you don’t have any idea what your going to do to drive them next week. You need to focus on the future
3) Every company has a different way of saying things, if you don’t understand find out! It could be you want to check the buyers guide, or the line detail, or the sales report..it’s all the same thing, just worded differently!
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) and if you already have, thank you!
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In this episode we explore the differences between own brand development and branded buying, discuss how Buyers are responsible for everything and we have a giggle about some sampling mishaps. Both types of Buying have their pros & cons, so if you’re looking to get into Buying it’s good to be aware of your strengths and also the type of buying that the retailer, or department, you’re applying for is focused on, so you can make sure that you’re joining a business that you’ll be happy with and plays to your strengths!
These are the top 3 skills we think you need to be successful in these types of Buying roles -1) Creative; whether it's product design, range building, price engineering or brand positioning, it's important to think creativily.
2) Collaborative; a open mindset to work with your designer, merchandiser and brands
3) Numerical; it's good to be a creative who understanding numbers - even if you have a merchandiser to do the crunching, an awareness of what the figures mean is essential and something you can learn!
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) and if you already have, thank you!
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www.buyingandbeyond.comCheck out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
Send us a DM with any 'Retail Therapy' stories
Find out more about us www.buyingandbeyond.com -
In this episode we talk about the different roles in Buying , starting from entry level and working our way up the ladder step by step… and depending what company you work for there can be a lot of rungs to that ladder! We will explain some of the differences between companies, how the number of levels often depends on the structure and size of Buying department, and also the responsibilities that come with those roles.
Our key take aways from this episode are:
1) Hard work & enthusiasm go a long way…don’t give up! Go above & beyond, work at the next level and you’ll be rewarded
2) Respect experience…knowing it’s taken so long to work up the ladder, the time spent and scenarios experienced, just ask questions and learn - don’t be afraid to ask!
3) Be strong, develop a thick skin - all experiences (good & bad) will help shape you for the future!
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) and if you already have, thank you!
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www.buyingandbeyond.comCheck out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
Send us a DM with any 'Retail Therapy' stories
Find out more about us www.buyingandbeyond.com -
In this episode we’ll share all about landing our first jobs, from how we found out about the roles, to interviews, to our first days! After all the studying and internships then came the daunting process of finding a role, and then the big day is upon us, like the first day at school!
The 3 top things from episode 2 we want to share with you are….
1) Talk to people (again, we reiterate!) It’s about making those connections
2) Be excited, show your passionate, make it clear how much you love Buying and the retailer
3) It’s not you, it’s me! If you don’t get the job, don’t be disheartened, it can be simple as team fit, it’s not that you don't have the skill set, it might just be the spark isn't there (on both sides!)
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) and if you already have, thank you!
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www.buyingandbeyond.comCheck out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
Send us a DM with any 'Retail Therapy' stories
Find out more about us www.buyingandbeyond.com -
In episode 1 we’re going right back to the beginning to give you all an insight into how we got into buying in the first place - we hope that this podcast is not just relatable, but also educational, and hopefully helpful to anyone looking to get into the industry too! We’ll share our backgrounds, our work experience, our interviews and landing our first jobs..
The 3 top things we learnt from today's episode are….
1) Do what you love - study the subjects that you enjoy. That will take you places
2) Work Experience - immerse yourself into the industry
3) Make connections - talking to people - building relationships
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) and if you already have, thank you!
Follow us @buyingandbeyond on Instagram
www.buyingandbeyond.comCheck out our instagram @buyingandbeyond
Send us a DM with any 'Retail Therapy' stories
Find out more about us www.buyingandbeyond.com - Vis mere
