A career as a fashion merchandising buyer sounds glamorous and exciting. But the job isn't just like shopping. Buyers have to decide what will sell well in a store, sometimes up to two years in advance, and how much of each product to buy.
Fashion merchandising buyers can work for small boutiques or large department stores and wholesale distributors. Buyers who work for smaller stores will typically purchase all the store's inventory, while larger department store buyers will likely have a specialty such as women's sportswear or jewelry. The job could even include buying fabric for a designer label.
So how do you land a job as a fashion merchandising buyer?
Instructions
1. Be a trendsetter.
Do you always seem to know which trend is right around the corner? Were you wearing the summer's must-have item last summer? Then you may have a talent for fashion buying.
Does your trend quotient need some help? Study magazines, browse stores, and keep an eye out for the evolution of trends, from seeing the newest dress style in a high-end magazine until it's in every store in your local mall.
Fashion buyers need to be aware of trends and what will be selling well for the season they are buying for. Sometimes buying one to two years ahead, fashion merchandising buyers need a strong sense of style and a knowledge of past and present fashion trends.
2. Get experience.
Working in a retail environment is an excellent background for a future fashion merchandising buyer. Through helping customers, you'll learn about their preferences, their dislikes, and their habits, all essential knowledge for becoming a successful fashion buyer.
3. Study.
Any fashion buyer should be a student of fashion in general, studying the latest magazines and fashion shows.
It's very helpful, and in some areas a prerequisite, to have a degree in fashion merchandising, business, or marketing. If you choose to major in fashion merchandising, make sure to take at least several courses in business and marketing.
4. Polish your skills.
Strong math ability, an understanding of inventory, negotiating skills, and a flexible attitude are important attributes for fashion merchandising buyers. Brush up on this knowledge with courses and reading books and articles to hone your fashion buying skills.
5. Network, network, network.
Industry contacts are extremely important to land a job as a fashion merchandising Buyer. How do you make these connections? Use all the opportunities available to you. If you are a student at a fashion school, go to as many events as possible. Career counselors, professors, and even fellow students can also prove invaluable to your network. Last but not least, the contacts you make during internships and in retail jobs can be very helpful.
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