Ever thought about how fashion products reach the shelves of a retail store, how brands know what their customers love, or how a store manages to offer a wide range of designer clothing and re-stock the merchandise well in time? Well, behind all this, there is a fashion buyer who works so hard to ensure everything is in place, customers are satisfied, and business goals are achieved. And there is a lot more to it.

Want to know more about the role of a fashion buyer?

1. Skill Set

Every job requires some skills. No matter what an individual's educational background is and how much work-experience he has, it is these key skills that can help a person become a fashion retail buyer.

    Analytical Skills
    Creativity
    Decision-making skills
    Negotiating skills
    Good research skills
    Leadership Skills

Besides these, one must have an entrepreneurial spirit, eye for detail, ability to understand customers' needs, be open to work in a pressurized and fast-paced environment, and must be good with numbers.

2. Responsibilities

The profile of a fashion buyer is majorly about planning merchandise for a particular season and selecting a range of products that will sell in a retail store. This takes into account various factors like market trends, customer demands, product pricing, quality, and availability, and store's financial budget. Tasks may vary from season to season but typically, these are the responsibilities expected from a fashion buyer throughout the year:

    Analyzing consumer's buying behavior
    Forecasting future trends
    Preparing trend reports
    Planning new range of products and presenting it to the seniors
    Evaluating performance indicators like sales, discounts, etc. on a regular basis
    Creating plans for maintaining stock levels
    Liaising with store personnel to make sure supply meets demand
    Meeting suppliers and negotiating on price points
    Forming healthy relationships with suppliers and wholesalers and pitching new sources for future merchandise
    Finding global sourcing companies when required and coordinating with them throughout the sourcing process
    Taking decisions based on demand and logistics
    Taking part in promotional activities
    Getting feedback from clients
    Training and mentoring junior buyers and other staff
    Participating in trade fairs and events to gather new range of products
    Coordinating with other stakeholders to ensure projects are completed on time

3. Employment Opportunities

Both retailers and manufactures employ professionals who are responsible for buying. They include:

    High-street department stores
    Book shops, gift shops, and craft shops
    Home improvement stores
    Online retailers
    Outlets specializing in products like clothing, shoes, accessories, furnishings, and other goods
    Television shopping channels

Fashion buyer is a vital position in the fashion industry but every buyer isn't successful. It takes a lot of passion and hard work to excel in the field and contribute to the success of a brand. If the products sell, the brand will grow and if they don't, it is the buyer who is held accountable for it.