Tthe Role of the Fashion Buyer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Tthe Role of the Fashion Buyer - Essay Example The essay "Tthe Role of the Fashion Buyer" concerns the fashion buyer. In this perspective, the roles of a merchandiser and a buyer are complementary but deviate to distinct paths. In a traditional aspect, buyers focus on the visual aspects of garments while merchandising focuses on the analytical and numerical aspects of garments. A buyer’s principal objective pertains to identifying market appropriate garments that can as well satisfy the company’s profit requirements. This overall responsibility split into several roles. To begin with, it is crucial to consider types of buying roles in terms of high street and high end perspective. This splits in terms of retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers. In high street fashion, a buyer may be involved with stocking a shop that deals with designer brands. However, high street fashion deals with other garments apart from designer brands. In a multiple retail store, a buyer would concern with a whole process of product developm ent and arranging delivery of finished products. In independent clothes’ retailing, a buyer purchases garments from wholesalers and sell at one’s suitable price. In terms of a multiple retail store, a buyer possesses several specific tasks. To begin with, a buyer should select a range of garments that satisfy an optimum profit plan. Target margin refers to the profit that occurs after deductions of discounts and unsold stock. In this sense, a buyer’s task pertains to maximizing sales, of purchased stock, and minimizing unsold stock. Besides, a buyer should consider specific profit margin for single products. This necessitates that a buyer works with a merchandiser for a proper mix of stock. In addition, they observe trends of other businesses for interpretation to target customers. In addition, a buyer has a task of identifying a reliable supply base. Buyers must be knowledgeable of ineffective suppliers’ effect on sales and eventual profits (Jackson & Sh aw 2000, p. 67). More importantly, it is vital for a supplier to consider quality in terms of the cost that the supplier imposes. Furthermore, a buyer should consider the reputation of a manufacturer and supplier in terms of unethical practices. The media are so sensitive that it can pull down a major fashion store because of such an affiliation. After choosing a dependable supplier, a buyer considers the input from entities such as design garment technology and merchandising. This necessitates a process whereby the buyer negotiates of cost prices to supplies. This requires a buyer to possess skills of negotiation in terms of levers. Besides, buyers should evaluate and research on relevant and research market (Entwistle 2009, p. 57). This information is so diverse that it should include future fashion trends, past and current sales. In addition, the buyer should evaluate a consumer’s closest need. Buyers should also check competitor stores for evaluation of garments and price s. Besides, buyers should establish communication channels with the management, suppliers and product teams. For instance, supplier communication is vital for realistic, accurate and realistic about the specific terms of a placed order. Product range entails significant presentation in which creative details are clearly evaluated. In addition, buyers have the mandate of considering supplies within the constraints of a store’s budget. Other parameters include consideration such as historical orientation on sales and color trends. In addition, a