I’ve been speaking to some industry experts from various retail businesses about the role of buyers. They had some interesting tips so I thought I’d share with you.
1. Direct fashion buying experience isn’t always necessary, whatever the job advert may say. If you have some retail/fashion experience and want to enter this field, go for it.
2. Sometimes, if you can’t get the job straight away, find another in the business that you can apply for and work your way through the departments from the inside.
3. Interviews are brilliant experience. Whether you think you’ll get the job or not, give it a go. It will give you a great insight in to the kinds of questions you will be asked, and what the interviewers are looking for in a candidate.
4. Ask around, if you know anyone in the business, ask for some advice about the best ways to get experience and get a better idea of what you’re getting yourself in to.
5. Trainee buyer roles are mostly admin, e.g. dealing with post, maintaining a tidy sample room, checking sample colours against the company palette and preparing for meetings.
6. In order to develop a range every season, the process begins with designers and buyers, both of whom visit catwalk shows and go on buying trips to review competitors stock. This allows them to find the best trends for the next season and take away ideas for their own lines.
7. Remember that this job can be very demanding, especially if you move up the ladder and have to go on more buying trips. These can last weeks if necessary so you have to be prepared to be away from friends and family for long periods of time. Aside from the buying trips, it is also a job that requires more than 9-5. You may find that you will have to be in work early, or be expected to stay late on a regular basis, especially in the run up to pre-season selections.
8. Finally, if you have the passion and drive to work hard and succeed in this area, you will.
Hope this helps all you budding buyers!
Lots of love,
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