Fashion buyers purchase women's, men's and children's clothing for retail and wholesale companies. They buy lingerie, footwear or fashion accessories, such as jewellery. Fashion buyers are also responsible for the merchandising operations of retail establishments. They are employed by department stores, retail chains, independently-owned stores, and wholesale distributors.
As a fashion buyer, you are usually responsible for all the purchasing in a particular department of the company for which you work, within a specified budget. You develop a buying plan that takes into consideration the department's customers, fashion trends, potential suppliers and prices. You are responsible for making sure that the department's sales and profit goals are met.
You keep abreast of current trends and styles by analysing market reports, talking to consultants, and attending fashion shows, and keeping in close touch with your customers. You identify and develop the fashion themes and items for each season.
You maintain contacts with suppliers, negotiating prices, payment and delivery. You ensure that order invoices are completed appropriately and oversee the distribution of merchandise to ensure adequate stock levels.
You are also responsible for how the clothing is displayed. You decide on the decor, signs, special lighting and fixtures such as stands, shelves and mannequins. You work with the managers and sales people in the store, explaining the reasons behind the fashions and colours that hae been chosen.
In some companies, you may be responsible for advertising. You decide on what should be featured, the medium to be used, and when the ads should be run. You then present the package to the people in the advertising department for their implementation.
You are paid a salary which may include a yearly bonus based on your sales performance. Progress into more senior buying positions or in other parts of management is possible with experience. As soon as an opening comes up, you become a floor manager for two to five years, then an assistant buyer. If you are especially entrepreneurial, you may eventually wish to open your own store.
You will find this job exciting if you love beautiful clothing. You will do well if you are a decisive and highly organized person who wants to live a challenging and fast-paced life. The work is suited to confident, outgoing people. You must feel comfortable negotiating with suppliers, dealing with staff in the stores and solving problems. You must be prepared to do a lot of travelling both inside Canada and internationally.
The work calls for taste, creativity and a good eye for colour and coordination. The merchandise you select has to match and reflect the store's fashion preference. At the same time, you need to be analytical, well organized and good at basic arithmetic. Computer abilities are an important asset. The job also requires a high degree of honesty and integrity. You cannot accept gifts from suppliers since your primary responsibility is to do the best for your own employer.