Fashion buying, a key component in fashion retailing, is second only to design as a career option for fashion graduates. The buyer has a central role in influencing what consumers choose to wear and in determining whether a fashion retailing company succeeds or fails. Buying is a multi-faceted job, which typically involves fashion forecasting, range-planning, garment sourcing and budgeting. This comprehensive textbook describes the buying cycle, buying for stores and mail order and how to start a career in fashion buying. A glossary of buying terminology, as well as input from fashion buyers currently working for major companies, give a clear insight into this exciting and challenging role. The new edition has been revised throughout, includes more emphasis on buying for the internet, and all the interviews have been updated or replaced. Fashion buying is multi-faceted job, involving fashion forecasting, range planning, garment sourcing, budgeting, and marketing. This book explains the responsibilities of the buyer, giving you all the information you'll need on entering this central role of the fashion industry. Buying fashion merchandise differs significantly from other products: the short life-cycle of fashion items (most becoming obsolete within a few months) means that the buyer is constantly challenged to develop innovative and profitable ranges through collaboration with designers and colleagues in other key roles. This new edition has been thoroughly revised to cover the substantial changes in the industry, including the impact of the internet; increasing import penetration; and the rise of interest in ethical sourcing. Case studies are all new or updated and in the form of detailed interviews with buyers at UK-based retailers including Oasis and Jaeger, providing original insights into the world of fashion buying.
