Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Buying and Beyond
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S10 Ep10: Wow it's our 100th episode! | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:56:24 | |
In this milestone 100th episode, we reflect on the journey so far - from recording under a duvet during COVID to interviewing over 60 guests across every corner of the retail buying world. We look back at the conversations that shaped us, the guests who surprised and moved us, and the lessons we've learned about buying, leadership, resilience, and the future of retail. With favourite funny stories, standout advice, and a heartfelt thank-you to listeners, this episode is both a celebration and a springboard for what's next. Three Key Takeaways 1. Buying is not one job - it's hundreds. 2. People come before product. 3. Retail has changed more than anyone predicted - and it's still about the people. Notable guests mentioned Stevie (Hobbs), Lucy Smith (Jigsaw) Claire Bishop (Dobbies), Dalia (Asda), Rebecca Thompson (Jewson's), Emma (Wine), Julia Darlington, Shani (Arcadia) Natasha Calder (Hotel Chocolat → Halfords), Anna Cornwell (Mardy Bum Active Club), Nick Lambert (Primark), Jo Ingham & Jo Ward (Fashion Fix / Ask Miranda), Bex (Boho Betty), Sarah & Rachel (Everly Studios), Rosie (Not On The High Street), Katie Williams, and many more. Memorable moments
What's next The podcast is taking a pause to reflect on the first 100 episodes before returning with a new season and fresh guests. In the meantime, the hosts are building The Buyers Club - a community to support buyers and the next generation of retail talent. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S10 E9: The Merchandiser We Couldn't Do It Without- with Sarah Johnson | 26 août 2026 | 01:12:48 | |
We've made it to episode 99! And to mark the occasion, we're joined by someone very special - our merchandising mate, Sarah Johnson. Think Mickey to our Minnie, Ashley to our Mary-Kate, Bluey to our Bingo. You get the vibe. Sarah has been a merchandiser for over two decades, with stints at River Island, Debenhams, Arcadia, and ASOS where she was Head of Retail during the glory days of 2008, when the whole team could fit in one room on a Monday morning. Since then, Sarah founded Flourish Retail, helping businesses of all sizes get their merchandising foundations properly in place. In this episode we take a proper trip down memory lane - from accidentally allocating 200 Nehru collar suits to Slough on her first job, to building ASOS China's entire merchandising structure from scratch on Excel while on a four-day week. We talk about the evolution of the buyer-merch relationship, why the discount cycle is so hard to break, the dangers of losing junior training in the age of AI, and why sometimes all you need is someone to tell you you're making the right call. Oh, and there's a story involving Sarah being dressed as a turkey under a desk. You'll want to stay for that one. Three Key Takeaways: 1. Merchandising fundamentals are non-negotiable - and they're at risk. 2. The buyer-merch relationship is the most important relationship in retail. 3. Breaking the discount cycle requires courage and planning. Find Sarah at Flourish Retail: https://www.flourishretail.com/ If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S10 E8 Putting People First Creates Bestselling Products with Alex Dimitriu | 18 août 2026 | 00:45:40 | |
Our guest this episode is Alex Dimitriu, Product Director at White Stuff, whose 30-year buying career has taken her through some of the UK's best-known retailers, including M&S, House of Fraser, New Look and Miss Selfridge, buying across menswear, womenswear and childrenswear. Alex also had one of the most legendary send-offs from M&S, with former colleagues gathering on a freezing January night to sing her off- a testament to the kind of leader she has become. Alex's route into retail wasn't conventional. She began her career as a French teacher in Tower Hamlets before taking a leap of faith at 28, accepting a significant pay cut to join M&S as a Buying Admin Assistant in hosiery. It's a story that proves there isn't one path into buying and one that sparks a wider conversation about why passion, curiosity and commercial instinct are just as valuable as a traditional retail degree. Throughout the episode, we explore how the buying role has transformed over the past three decades. From the hierarchical buying floors of the 1990s to today's fast-paced, multi-channel retail landscape, Alex reflects on why buyers are expected to wear more hats than ever before. Balancing product, sustainability, supply chains, strategy and leadership, often all at once. We also discuss what great leadership really looks like, why putting people before product creates stronger teams, and how M&S successfully reinvented itself by taking bigger design risks while staying true to its customer. Whether you're just starting your buying career or leading a large team, Alex shares honest advice on building resilience, backing yourself when opportunities arise, and why there are no shortcuts to becoming a great buyer- the foundations you build early on will shape the rest of your career. Three Key Takeaways 1. There isn't one route into buying. 2. Great buyers put people first. 3. Buying is more complex than ever before. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S10 E7: Why Everyone Thinks Their Product Needs More Space With Retail Analyst Nayaa Owusu | 11 août 2026 | 00:48:46 | |
In this episode, we sit down with Nayaa Owusu, a retail analyst and solutions developer at OSP Retail, to dig into one of the most contested topics in retail: shelf space. Anyone who's worked in buying or merchandising knows how heated the debate over category space can get, every team feels their products deserve more room, and decisions are often driven as much by gut feeling and internal politics as by hard evidence. Naya brings a rare dual perspective to this conversation: she spent years on the merchandising side at major brands like Debenhams, Peloton, and Lipsy, living through exactly these space battles firsthand, before crossing over into retail tech to help build the tools that solve them. Before moving into software, Nayaa first started out on the shop floor in roles at Topshop, Selfridges, and River Island while studying maths at university. That analytical foundation, combined with genuine hands-on retail experience, set her up for a merchandising career spanning beauty at Debenhams, international operations at Peloton during its explosive pandemic-era growth, and commercial/business analysis at Lipsy. Today, she's part of the team at OSP Retail building Macro Space Optimization (MSO), a data-driven platform that helps retailers make smarter, less emotional decisions about how they allocate space across categories and stores. In this conversation, we explore how Nayaa's varied background shaped her approach to solving one of retail's oldest arguments, what MSO actually does under the hood, and why data-not gut feel alone, is becoming the deciding factor in how stores are laid out. Three Key Takeaways: 1) Data removes the emotion and bias from space planning. Buyers and merchandisers are naturally attached to their categories ("gut feeling" and personal relationships with brands can skew decisions), but tools like MSO base space allocation on actual customer data rather than assumption- while still allowing manual overrides when needed. 2) Store clustering reveals patterns you wouldn't expect from broad averages. Grouping stores by similar customer behavior (rather than just size or region) uncovers surprising insights like cat products outperforming dog products in London versus the rest of the UK. 3) Space planning should happen earlier in the buying process, not as an afterthought. Traditionally, ranges are built first and then squeezed onto shelves; bringing space considerations in at the buying stage (rather than fitting products to space later) leads to better commercial outcomes. If you would like to hear more about how OSP could help you with your space challenges- drop us a message and we can put you in contact with the team. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S10 E6 Why ADHD Can Be a Superpower in Buying with Talia Winetroube | 04 août 2026 | 00:47:43 | |
In this episode, we sit down with Talia Winetroube, who spent over 12 years building a career in fashion and accessories buying at retailers including Next, House of Fraser, and Stitch Fix. While excelling in the fast-paced world of retail buying, Talia was diagnosed with ADHD - an experience that reshaped her understanding of herself and ultimately led her to become a certified ADHD coach. We dive into her buying career journey, the realities of receiving a late ADHD diagnosis while working at a senior level, and how she now helps ambitious professionals and organizations build more neuro-inclusive workplaces. Three Key Takeaways: 1) ADHD traits can be a hidden superpower in buying. Strong pattern recognition, hyperfocus, natural rapport-building, and a constant stream of new ideas all fed into Talia's success as a buyer - even as she battled a "boom and bust" cycle of overworking and burnout behind the scenes. 2) Small, individualized accommodations make the biggest difference. Support doesn't require big budgets or formal programs - simple things like shared meeting agendas, clear deadlines, body doubling, and breaking tasks into smaller steps can transform how someone with ADHD thrives at work. 3) Manager awareness and psychological safety are essential. With an estimated 15–20% of the workforce being neurodivergent, retail and other fast-paced industries have a real opportunity and responsibility to train managers to recognize ADHD patterns as neurological rather than a lack of effort, and to create environments where people feel safe to ask for what they need. You can find out more about all the amazing work Talia is doing here: Coaching https://www.taliawinetroubecoaching.co.uk/ @taliawinetroubeadhdcoaching Training https://www.neurodiversityintheworkplace.co.uk/ If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S10 E5 The Stories Shaping Retail with Gabriele Dirvanauskas, Drapers Deputy Editor | 28 juil. 2026 | 00:46:56 | |
Drapers has been the trusted voice of the fashion retail industry for nearly 140 years, connecting leaders, breaking news, and shaping conversations across print, digital, and social. In this episode, we sit down with Gabriele Dirvanauskas, Deputy Editor at Drapers, to get a front-row look at how the publication covers the biggest stories in retail and what's really happening behind the scenes for the people who work in it. Gabi takes us through her own path into fashion journalism - from a work experience placement at Marks & Spencer's press office, to cutting her teeth at the Sun newspaper, to her current role at Drapers covering everything from leadership shake-ups to shop floor culture. From there, the conversation turns to one of the year's biggest talking points: Drapers' recent salary survey, which has ignited a wider industry conversation about pay, support, and transparency for buyers, merchandisers, and designers alike. We also get into how AI is changing (and not changing) the buying role, and why face-to-face industry events are more important than ever. Three Key Takeaways
Drapers are offering our listeners a 30% discount off an annual subscription, use the link below to claim yours: https://subscribe.drapersonline.com/dragd30/ If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S10 E4 Why Consistency Is The Silver Bullet with Fran Pittaway, CEO at Biscuiteers | 22 juil. 2026 | 00:54:03 | |
In this episode, we chat to Fran Pittaway, CEO of Biscuiteers, the UK's original hand-iced biscuit gifting brand. Fran's career path is anything but conventional - from working at the BBC, to building the first-ever buying team at Children in Need, to spending nearly a decade shaping the commercial strategy at Not On The High Street, and finally stepping into the C-suite at Biscuiteers. Throughout the conversation, Fran shares candid stories from her career, including the chaos behind the scenes of Children in Need's telethon, how Not On The High Street navigated the explosive rise of competitors like Etsy, and what it's really like stepping into a CEO role after years in commercial leadership. She also opens up about what makes Biscuiteers special - from its iconic hand-painted packaging and icing café in Notting Hill, to the meticulous "biscuits per hour" production process behind its beloved treats. Fran's story is a masterclass in following curiosity over a rigid plan, building genuine relationships at any scale, and staying true to a brand's roots even when the market shifts around you. Three Key Takeaways: 1) A non-linear career can still lead to strategic leadership. Fran didn't start in buying - she moved from BBC production and commercial partnerships into building Children in Need's first-ever buying team and online shop from scratch, proving that strong commercial instincts and relationship-building matter more than a traditional career blueprint. 2) The same relationship principles scale up or down. Whether working with major retailers like Asda and Debenhams or small independent brands on Not On The High Street, Fran found that honesty, trust, and understanding the customer are what make commercial partnerships work - regardless of business size. 3) Consistency beats chasing trends. Reflecting on Not On The High Street's challenges competing with Etsy and other marketplaces, Fran emphasizes that brands need to stay true to their core audience and USP rather than knee-jerk reacting to competitors - a philosophy she's now applying to grow Biscuiteers. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S10 E3 How Weather Quietly Reshapes Buying Strategy, Sales and Shopper Behaviour | 14 juil. 2026 | 00:42:40 | |
In this episode of Buying Beyond we dive into one of retail's biggest unspoken variables - the weather, and how it quietly reshapes shopper behavior, sales patterns, and buying strategy. We kick off discussing the current UK heatwave before unpacking how extreme temperatures are driving record-breaking sales in soft drinks and ice cream, changing shopping channels (in-store vs. online), and creating headaches for buyers and merchandisers trying to plan stock, promotions, and seasonal transitions around unpredictable conditions. We also explore the growing role of resale platforms like Vinted in reflecting real-time, weather-driven demand, and why blaming poor sales purely on weather isn't good enough in a trading room - you need a plan of action too. We finish with a fun "rain or shine" quickfire round on which retail categories win or lose depending on the forecast. Three Key Takeaways: 1. Weather changes behavior differently than you'd expect - rain mainly affects where people shop (shifting to online or indoor destinations), while temperature changes what people buy (driving spikes in categories like soft drinks, ice cream, and seasonal clothing). 2. "The weather affected sales" is not a complete explanation - retailers need to pair any weather-related sales commentary with a clear action plan (e.g., pulling stock forward, adjusting promotions, reallocating inventory) rather than treating it as an excuse. 3. Resale platforms are a real-time weather signal - sites like Vinted show organic, reactive buying patterns (e.g., surges in searches for linen dresses or raincoats) that can offer retailers useful signals for demand forecasting that traditional retail calendars can't match. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S10 E2 Why The Best Buyers Can Buy Anything with Natasha Caller, Head of Category at Halfords | 07 juil. 2026 | 00:48:06 | |
This week, we're joined by Natasha Caller, Head of Category at Halfords, whose buying career proves that the best buyers aren't defined by what they buy - they're defined by how they think. Natasha's journey into buying didn't follow a traditional path. She started on the shop floor at John Lewis when she was just 17 and quickly realised she wanted to be more involved in the products customers were buying. Before long, she'd talked her way into creating a new fine jewellery range, helping transform the department's performance and sparking a career that's taken her across some incredibly varied categories. Since then, she's bought everything from cookers and cameras to chocolate, hampers, entertainment merchandise and now car parts. Along the way she's worked at Argos, Comet, Hotel Chocolat, Not On The High Street, Harvey Nichols, RWS Global, Moonpig and now leads the servicing category at Halfords. What we loved about this conversation is that it's a brilliant reminder that buying isn't about becoming an expert in one category - it's about understanding customers, being endlessly curious and having the confidence to throw yourself into something new. We also chat about what it was really like developing products at Hotel Chocolat (including how a visit to the V&A Museum inspired one of their bestselling ranges), why Far East sourcing trips are still some of the best learning experiences a buyer can have, and how moving into leadership taught Natasha that managing people is a completely different skill to buying products. As always, it's packed with honest career advice, brilliant stories and plenty of reminders about why we all fell in love with buying in the first place. Three Key Takeaways 1. Great buyers can buy almost anything. Natasha's career has taken her from jewellery to chocolate, cameras to car parts - and every move has reinforced the same lesson. While product knowledge is important, the skills that make a great buyer are incredibly transferable. Understanding your customer, asking the right questions, spotting opportunities and making sound commercial decisions are skills that can be applied to almost any category. Sometimes the biggest career opportunities come from saying yes to something completely outside your comfort zone. 2. The best learning happens when you're given the chance to get stuck in. One of the things Natasha reflects on is how much of her career was shaped by managers who invited her into supplier meetings, trusted her with projects and gave her opportunities long before she felt completely ready. Whether it was building her first jewellery range at John Lewis or spending time on production lines at Hotel Chocolat, those hands-on experiences taught her far more than any training course ever could. It's a great reminder that the best leaders don't just manage buyers - they help create the next generation of them. 3. Some of the best ideas happen when you step away from your desk. In a world of AI, trend platforms and endless data, Natasha is a huge believer in getting out into the real world. From factory visits in the Far East to museum exhibitions and shopping trips, she shares why some of her best product ideas have come from experiences she never expected. Inspiration doesn't always come from your own category - it comes from staying curious about the world around you. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S10 E1 The Secret Tool: Inside the World of Trend Forecasting with Jane Kellock | 30 juin 2026 | 01:05:40 | |
This week, we're joined by Jane Kellock, Founder and Creative Director of Unique Style Platform (USP), one of the UK's leading trend forecasting consultancies. Jane's career has taken her from designing womenswear and leading design teams at Topshop to becoming one of the UK's most respected voices in trend forecasting. Along the way she's worked with WGSN, Stylus and Debenhams, helping brands understand not just what's trending now, but what's coming next. In this episode, we dive into how trend forecasting has evolved over the years, from the early days of carrying film cameras around trade shows and shopping trips, to today's world of AI, algorithms and endless streams of consumer data. We also explore one of the biggest challenges facing buyers and brands today: how do you balance instinct with insight? Jane shares why having a clear point of view matters more than ever, how to avoid blindly following trends, and why some of the most valuable inspiration can come from completely outside your category. Whether you're a buyer, designer, merchandiser or brand founder, this episode is packed with practical advice on spotting opportunities, understanding consumers and building products that feel both relevant and authentic. Key Takeaways 1) Trends should inform your decisions, not make them for you: One of the biggest misconceptions about trend forecasting is that it's simply about predicting colours, prints or viral products. Jane explains that forecasting is really about understanding cultural shifts, consumer behaviour and the wider forces influencing how people live, shop and spend. The strongest brands don't copy trends directly - they filter them through their own identity and customer lens. As Jane reminds us, not every trend is your trend. 2) Don't lose your gut instinct in a world obsessed with data: With more data available than ever before, it can be tempting to let spreadsheets drive every decision. But Jane argues that some of the most successful products come from experience, intuition and a deep understanding of your customer. While data is a valuable tool, it shouldn't replace creativity. The best buyers and designers know how to balance insight with instinct, using both to make confident decisions rather than relying entirely on one or the other. 3) The best inspiration often comes from outside your category: Some of Jane's biggest sources of inspiration aren't found on a fashion catwalk. From hospitality and interiors to gardens, travel, architecture and everyday observations, she believes the best trend spotters are naturally curious about the world around them. For buyers, that's a valuable reminder that trend awareness isn't built solely through reports and social media feeds. Sometimes the most useful insights come from getting out, exploring new environments and paying attention to how consumers are living their lives. To learn more about Jane's work, consultancy projects, trend subscriptions and upcoming events, visit: https://uniquestyleplatform.com/ And if you'd like more trend analysis, buying insights and conversations like this, join us at: https://www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk/ If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E10 Jo Ingham & Jo Ward: How Fashion can be more sustainable and still be profitable? | 23 juin 2026 | 01:08:10 | |
This week, we're joined by Jo Ingham and Jo Ward - two buyers who have pretty much seen it all. The pair first met at New Look (where they were so often mistaken for each other that they ended up answering each other's phone calls) before going on to build impressive careers across some of the UK's biggest retailers, including River Island, Debenhams, Boohoo, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Arcadia and Jane Norman. Between them, they've bought everything from childrenswear and accessories to womenswear, worked across stores and online, managed huge teams, and navigated decades of change in the retail industry. But what we loved about this conversation wasn't just where they've worked- it was hearing what really mattered to them as buyers. From the excitement of spotting a trend before anyone else, to building products customers genuinely loved, both Jo and Jo share how their roles evolved over the years and why they started questioning whether the industry they'd spent their careers in was still working in the way it should. After years spent balancing commercial targets with growing concerns about overproduction, waste and sustainability, they both found themselves asking the same question: Can fashion work differently? That question ultimately led them to create Our Fashion Fix - a business helping brands and retailers make better decisions by connecting sustainability with commercial performance, rather than treating them as separate conversations. In this episode, we chat about how buying has changed over the years, why buyers are under more pressure than ever, what brands can learn from the rise of resale, and how Jo and Jo are using some surprisingly high-tech tools (including partnerships with the European Space Agency!) to bring more transparency into fashion supply chains. It's a fascinating conversation with two buyers who care deeply about the industry and are actively working to help shape what comes next. Key Takeaways 1) The buying role has changed dramatically: Jo and Jo reflect on how buying has evolved throughout their careers from smaller ranges, simpler processes and closer supplier relationships to today's fast-moving, multi-channel retail environment.They share why buyers are being asked to do more than ever before, often with fewer resources, and how that pressure can make it harder to focus on what originally drew many people into the role: understanding customers, building great product and making thoughtful buying decisions. 2) Sustainability only works if it works commercially: One thing Jo and Jo are passionate about is helping businesses move sustainability out of a separate "nice to have" conversation and into everyday decision-making. Through Our Fashion Fix's Impact Margin Calculator, they're helping brands understand the financial impact of their buying decisions alongside the environmental one making it easier for teams to have conversations that resonate across the business. 3) Resale isn't a trend - it's part of the future of retail: The rise of platforms like Vinted has changed the way customers shop, discover products and think about value. Jo and Jo explain why resale should be on every buyer's radar, what brands can learn from how their products perform in the second-hand market, and why the future belongs to retailers with a clear point of difference, strong product and a loyal customer base. To find out more about Jo and Jo's work and explore the Impact Margin Calculator, visit: Our Fashion Fix | Discover Sustainable Solutions For Carbon Literacy information ; Carbon Literacy Training — Our Fashion Fix For Carbon Literacy Eventbrite tickets ; Carbon Literacy for the Fashion Industry Training Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite And to learn more about Ask Miranda® and become a design partner - deadline for 80% funded pilots is beginning July; Ask Miranda — Brand Conscience And if you'd like more buying insights, trend analysis and conversations like this, join us at: If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E9 From Manchester to Japan: The Buyer's Guide to Trend Spotting | 16 juin 2026 | 00:38:09 | |
This week it's just the two of us - no guests, no agenda, just a good old buyers' debrief. A few weeks ago we headed to Manchester for the Buying and Beyond meetup, and naturally that meant hitting the shops. What followed was a wide-ranging conversation about what we saw on the floor, where smart buyers are finding inspiration right now, and how the digital landscape is changing the way we read trends. If you've ever wanted to know where to go, what to look for, and how to cut through the noise - this one's for you. Key Takeaways
Want to go deeper on trend spotting and retail inspiration? Join the Buying and Beyond Buyers Club for curated trend analysis, inspiration trip guides, and more. https://www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk/ If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E8: From Lockdown Idea to Luxury Brand with Elena London | 09 juin 2026 | 00:52:15 | |
In this Buying & Beyond, we sit down with Elena, founder of Elena London, a luxury home fragrance brand she built from scratch during lockdown after becoming frustrated with reed diffusers that seemed to lose their scent within days. What started as a search for a better product quickly evolved into a thriving business, built alongside a full-time career and driven by a commitment to quality, craftsmanship and customer experience. Elena shares her entrepreneurial journey, from an early venture importing Australian salt to discovering her passion for home fragrance and creating hand-poured products made in small batches. We discuss the realities of building a product-based business, the meticulous process behind developing her fragrances, and why she refuses to compromise on quality, even when it comes to pricing. We also talk about the viral social media post that saw messages arrive from around the world, being shortlisted for the UK Start-Up Awards Consumer Product Start-Up of the Year, and her exciting plans for wholesale growth and a new candle collection. Three Key Takeaways 1. Listen to your customers, not just your own taste. 2. Quality over quantity builds loyalty that lasts. 3. Stay in your lane — your brand is your brand. Find out more about Elena London and follow Elena's journey through her website and social channels. https://elenaldn.com/ @elenalondon_ If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E7: From Buyer to Bangladesh with Nadya at NEXT | 02 juin 2026 | 00:35:59 | |
What does it actually look like to leave the familiarity of UK retail buying and move to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to work on the supplier side? In this episode, we sit down with Nadya - a buyer turned product manager at Next Sourcing- who did exactly that. With a background spanning REISS, Crew Clothing, and lululemon, Nadya shares the career moments that shaped her, the leap of faith that took her across the world, and what she's learning from the other side of the supply chain. Nadya's story starts, as so many do, with a spark of inspiration at a young age, digging through her mum's '80s wardrobe and knowing instinctively that fashion was her world. But it was a chance encounter at a careers fair in Sweden, where a buyer from H&M was speaking, that made everything click. From that moment, every decision- moving to London at 19, studying buying and merchandising at the London College of Fashion, her roles at REISS and Crew Clothing was working towards that goal. But after years building a solid career in UK retail, Nadya found herself at a crossroads. A recruiter reached out about a product manager role at Next Sourcing in a role she'd actually first heard about years earlier from a colleague and quietly filed away as a dream. This time, she took the leap. Within two months she had her visa, had packed up her life, and was on a one-way flight to Dhaka. We talk about what her day-to-day actually looks like now, weekly factory visits, fabric sourcing, trend scouting, pitching new product ideas directly to Next, and how being embedded in the hub of manufacturing has completely changed the way she sees the industry. We also get into the bigger conversations: the future of sourcing trips, the impact of geopolitics on supply chains, the rise of AI in product development, and what sustainability really looks like from inside a factory. Three Key Takeaways 1. Being on the ground changes everything. Nadya is passionate about the value of factory visits and sourcing trips - something she feels is being quietly eroded by budget cuts. Whether it's understanding why a supplier physically can't do something, or seeing what's being produced right now (and therefore what will hit stores in a few months), there are things you simply cannot learn from behind a laptop. Her message: fight to keep those budgets in. 2. Pivoting to the supplier side gives you a whole new lens. Moving from buying to product management hasn't just been a change of scenery - it's completely reframed how Nadya sees the supply chain. Those delivery delays and last-minute requests she used to push back on as a buyer? She now understands exactly why they happen. The empathy and insight she's gained in just two months in Dhaka is something she says no amount of time in a UK office could replicate. 3. AI is coming and you have to use it, not fear it. From AI imagery in design packs to 3D model-making, Nadya is already seeing AI reshape how product development works. Her take: it's not going backwards, so the only option is to figure out how to make it work for you. The upside? Less over-sampling, less waste, better hit rates and ultimately a more sustainable industry. Enjoyed this episode? Join our membership community for online networking events with buyers and industry professionals from around the world. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E6:What Really Went Wrong With Debenhams with Retail Strategist Lucy Horden | 26 mai 2026 | 01:02:25 | |
This week we're joined by Lucy Horden, a commercial retail strategist who spent over 15 years at Debenhams working across franchise operations, brand partnerships, and business strategy. Lucy takes us inside one of the UK's most iconic department stores during its golden years and its eventual collapse — sharing the real behind-the-scenes story of what went wrong, and the lessons every retailer needs to hear. From starting as a sales assistant who was told she was "wildly overqualified," to managing multi-million pound international franchise relationships across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and beyond, Lucy's career is a masterclass in how retail really works. Three Key Takeaways 1. Losing sight of your core customer is fatal Debenhams had built decades of loyalty around a "mother-daughter" shopping experience - a brand that felt accessible yet special. When a new strategy pivoted aggressively toward a younger customer overnight, it alienated the existing base without successfully winning a new one. The lesson: evolution must be tested and gradual, not a blanket switch. Know who your customer is, and if you want to grow, reach - don't abandon them! 2. Private equity debt can quietly kill a great business Debenhams was debt-free and booming when private equity bought it. Within three years they extracted their money and left the business with £1.2 billion in debt, locked into long leases at high rates across 20+ units. The business spent the next decade fighting an invisible structural problem that worsened every time the market shifted. Retail margins are tight - financial headroom isn't a nice-to-have, it's a survival requirement. 3. Strategy isn't a dirty word - it's just getting clear Whether you're a 15,000-person department store or a small independent product brand, strategy comes down to three questions: What are we trying to achieve? Who is it for? And how are we going to get there? Lucy now works with small product brands who often feel overwhelmed and stretched thin - and her biggest observation is that founders lose track of their purpose the moment the business starts growing. Stepping back to look at the bigger picture isn't a luxury, it's the work. About Lucy Lucy Horden is a commercial retail strategist helping small, independent product brands grow with clarity and confidence. With 15 years at Debenhams across store management, head office merchandising, and international franchise partnerships, she brings a uniquely rounded perspective to the challenges facing product businesses today. https://lucyhorden.com/ If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E5: Katie Williams: Burnout, Boundaries, and Life After Retail | 20 mai 2026 | 00:55:16 | |
In this episode we sit down with Katie Williams - former senior merchandiser at Topman and Quiz Clothing, psychotherapist, and founder of her own coaching business - to talk about the realities of building a career in fashion retail, what burnout actually looks like from the inside, and why the skills you develop in buying and merchandising translate far beyond the shop floor. Katie takes us through her accidental entry into merchandising, 10 years at Topman during its heyday, her move to Scotland, and the moment she realised she needed to completely reimagine her career. She's refreshingly honest about the role her own psychology played in her burnout and what she's learned since. Three Key Takeaways 1. Your self-worth is not your sell-through. 2. Most of the time, it's not the company - it's us. 3. Clear is kind. Find Katie: If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E4: Why the Best Buyers Watch More Than Just Their Category | 13 mai 2026 | 00:46:40 | |
In this week's episode, Kate and Lyns dive deep into one of their favourite subjects - retail - and why staying commercially aware is one of the most powerful tools a buyer can have. From trade meeting horror stories (hello, & Other Stories) to the exploding world of experiential retail, AI disruption, and the importance of supplier relationships, this episode is a must-listen for anyone working in or aspiring to get into buying. They explore how the retail landscape has shifted dramatically - with TikTok-speed trend cycles, global influence flattening cultural differences, and the rising pressure on buyers to not just know their own category, but to understand the entire market. They also tackle the hot-button topic of AI in buying: is it a threat or a tool? And what does it mean for entry-level roles like BAs? Plus, they discuss the value of tracking leadership moves, why travel is non-negotiable for building supplier relationships, and how commercial awareness can fast-track your career growth - even if you're still early in your buying journey. Three Key Takeaways: 1) Good buyers know their category- great buyers know the market. Staying on top of competitor moves, store openings, leadership changes, and cross-category trends isn't just interesting; it directly informs smarter buying decisions, better range planning, and stronger performance in trade meetings and sign-offs. 2) AI should redefine buying roles, not replace them. AI can and should take over admin-heavy tasks to free up buyers for creativity, product development, and supplier relationships. But removing entry-level roles like BAs would be shortsighted - the experience, problem-solving, and institutional knowledge built at that level is irreplaceable. 3) Commercial awareness is a career accelerator. Buyers who understand the wider retail landscape - spending habits, macro trends, competitor strategy, leadership shifts - are the ones who progress fastest. Whether in an interview, a trade meeting, or a sign-off, knowing what's happening in the market lets you contribute with confidence at any level. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E3: The Career Tool Most Buyers Never Think to Use with Levanah Gates, The Buyer's Coach | 06 mai 2026 | 00:52:44 | |
This week we're joined by Levanah Gates, The Buyer's Coach -a former buying manager at M&S, Tesco, BHS, Fat Face, and George (Asda)- who now coaches buyers and retail professionals to build confidence, gain clarity, and navigate the fast-paced world of buying. Levanah started her career in 2009, studying illustration before falling in love with retail through part-time work at Jigsaw. She worked her way up through some of the biggest names in the industry, spending six years at George as a buying manager across knitwear, swim, footwear, and accessories. After having her daughter in 2019 and returning from maternity leave into a post-pandemic world, she made the decision to leave and retrain as a coach. She launched The Buyer's Coach in January 2024 and has since worked with over 200 retail professionals - buyers, merchandisers, designers, sourcing, and tech - supporting them through career moves, promotions, and the day-to-day pressures of the industry. In this episode, we get into why networking feels so loaded in fashion retail, why the culture of "busy as a badge of honour" makes it even harder to prioritise, and how to actually approach it in a way that feels natural rather than cringey or corporate. We also talk about the generational gap emerging in buying teams, the loss of human connection through over-reliance on email and messaging, the fear around the word "networking" itself (and why we think it needs a rebrand), and why building relationships outside your own four walls is one of the most powerful -and underused - career tools available to buyers right now. We also reflect on our own events and what makes them work: no formal agenda, no name stickers, no performance. Just buyers in a room, sharing experiences, laughing, and realising they're not going through it alone. 3 Key Takeaways:
Join us at our Manchester Meetup on 20th May at the Corn Exchange - Levanah will be speaking live! Details in the links below. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-buyers-club-manchester-meet-up-tickets-1988335705620?aff=ebdssbdestsearch If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E2: Navigating a Non-Linear Career in Fashion with Lynsey Scoins | 28 avr. 2026 | 01:00:44 | |
In this episode, we're joined by Lynsey Scoins — a fashion industry veteran with over 15 years of experience across design, buying, merchandising and recruitment, and founder of Fashion Path, a platform dedicated to helping people break into and build careers in the fashion industry. Lynsey shares her winding career journey from almost landing a placement at Company Magazine to discovering buying and merchandising almost by accident at George ASDA, and eventually realising her original degree in International Fashion Marketing had been pointing her in the right direction all along. We also get into the reality of retail vs supplier roles, and how working through COVID brought both sides closer together by revealing just how similar the pressures are. Across every role, the same core skills stand out — confidence, team fit, passion for product and attention to detail. She also doesn’t hold back on CV and interview mistakes, from careless applications to a lack of real brand understanding, and shares why tailoring your approach is more important than ever in a world where AI is now screening candidates. We also touch on the value of sourcing trips and how they can transform your understanding of the supply chain, before Lynsey explains why she launched Fashion Path — supporting candidates through coaching, CV and portfolio reviews, and structured programmes designed to help them present themselves with clarity and confidence. Whether you're just starting out, feeling stuck mid-career, or navigating redundancy, this episode is packed with honest, practical advice from someone who has genuinely been on every side of the industry. Connect with Lynsey:
Three Key Takeaways 1. Your career path doesn't have to be linear - and that's a strength. Lynsey's journey from design to buying, merchandising, and recruitment is proof that moving between roles isn't a sign of indecision, it's a competitive advantage. The creativity you develop as a designer makes you a better buyer. The analytical thinking from merchandising makes you a more commercial thinker. Embracing a non-linear path gives you a rounded perspective that specialists often lack. 2. Tailor everything - your CV, your portfolio, your application. One of the most consistent mistakes Lynsey saw as a recruiter was people applying for multiple roles with the exact same materials, or worse, cover letters addressed to the wrong company. Recruiters notice. Hiring managers notice. The same way a supplier pitching you a generic deck feels disrespectful of your time, a generic application signals low investment. Take the time to research the brand, visit the store, and tailor your pitch - it dramatically increases your hit rate. 3. You already have the skills - you just need to package them. In fast-paced buying and merchandising roles, you're constantly pitching to directors, negotiating with suppliers, covering for colleagues, and making high-stakes decisions under pressure. But when it comes to job applications or interviews, people tend to forget or undervalue everything they've done. Write it down. Document your wins. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S9 E1: From the Supplier Side: Holly Stafford Smith on Buying, Business & Building for the Future | 22 avr. 2026 | 00:51:50 | |
This week, we’re joined by Holly Stafford Smith from GH Stafford & Son limited a fourth-generation family business that’s been supplying leather goods and accessories to retailers across the UK and Ireland since 1947. Holly gives us a rare look at the supplier side of the buyer-supplier relationship and honestly, the overlap is bigger than you might think. Having joined the business back in 2007, Holly has shaped her role from the ground up and now leads across buying, supplier relationships and commercial strategy. From sourcing product at the Canton Fair to managing a diverse UK customer base, her experience mirrors so much of what buyers do day-to-day, just from a different angle. We get into the realities of buying for independents (where no two customers are the same), the power of long-standing supplier relationships, and what it really looks like to evolve a family business that’s been running successfully for decades. We also talk trade shows and why Holly made the call to step away from Spring Fair after nearly 50 years, replacing it with a showroom event that delivered 35% more turnover at a fraction of the cost. Plus, what’s next: building out CRM and analytics, launching a B2B platform, growing their agent network, and bringing fresh ideas into a legacy business as they approach their 80th year. Key Takeaways
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E10: Building Brands That Stand the Test of Time with Jodie Blake CMO at Manolo Blahnik | 15 avr. 2026 | 01:10:14 | |
This week's episode is a special one co-host Lynsey is joined by her old friend and former London College of Fashion classmate, Jodie Blake, now CMO at Manolo Blahnik. What starts as a nostalgic trip down memory lane (lemon poppy seed muffins from Starbucks, high heels to lectures, and getting the tube one stop instead of walking) quickly turns into one of the most insightful conversations we've had on the show. Jodie's career is a masterclass in building from the ground up. She started out as a press assistant at Office Shoes during its golden era of big collabs with Nike, Converse and Dr. Martens, before moving through a series of agencies - culminating in a decade at The Communication Store, where she worked across Versace, Max Mara, Acne Studios and more, doing 42 shows in a single fashion season. From there she went in-house at Self-Portrait to build on their communications function, before being headhunted to join Manolo Blahnik as Head of Communications - a role that evolved into her appointment as CMO almost two and a half years ago. We get into what it really means to market a luxury product today, how Manolo Blahnik has spent 22 years fighting to reclaim their trademark in China (spoiler: they won - one of only two cases ever, alongside Michael Jordan), the story behind the Birkenstock collab that sold out in 12 hours, the upcoming Balenciaga collaboration, and why being headline sponsor of the V&A's Marie Antoinette exhibition felt like the brand's most natural home. Jodie also shares what it was like to move from agency to in-house, the realities of stepping into a leadership role, and why working closely with buyers and the commercial team is central to everything her team does. 3 Key Takeaways:
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E9: From Buyer to Supplier: A Journey Through the World of Food with Claire McIlroy | 08 avr. 2026 | 00:57:44 | |
Claire McIlroy returns to the pod for a deep dive into the fascinating and surprisingly complex world of grocery buying. Having started her career on the buying side at DHL and Morrisons before moving into sales and her current role as Sales Director, Claire brings a rare dual perspective on what it really takes to get food from farm to shelf. She's also co-founder of the W Collective, a community dedicated to empowering women in their corporate careers. In this episode, we hear how Claire worked her way through procurement at DHL - buying everything from stationery and paper clips to food for the NHS and Ministry of Defence, before blacking her way through three rounds of interviews to land a role at Morrisons' famously grand (and notoriously hard-to-reach) Bradford head office. There, she cut her teeth on Core Grocery private label buying, managing a huge portfolio of ambient products from chocolate spread and pasta to yeast extract. Claire breaks down what private label buying really involves - from developing products that closely match branded equivalents (without crossing IP lines), to navigating salt and sugar targets, traffic light labelling, and driving efficiencies through packaging, sourcing, and logistics. This leads into the now-famous Thailand chicken example, highlighting just how global and commercially driven food supply chains are. She then reflects on her time in fresh produce -from blueberries shipped in a dormant state to the reality of out-of-season fruit, it’s a fascinating look at what really sits behind quality on shelf. Now on the supply side, Claire shares how her perspective has shifted within frozen from different KPIs to the impact of global events on costs - and why it’s a category far more complex than it might seem. Finally, Claire reflects on her evolution from buyer to leader, how she built her confidence by always putting her hand up for the big, visible projects and how that same philosophy now underpins the work she does at the W Collective, where she coaches women to be strategic about their careers, close the gender pay gap, and step into leadership roles. Three Key Takeaways:
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E8: Ginny & Me- Pre-Order Power & The Rise of Social-First Brands | 01 avr. 2026 | 00:46:10 | |
In this episode, Yasmin O’Donnell shares the story behind Ginny & Me a social-first fashion brand that has quickly built a cult following around its hero flared-sleeve windbreaker jacket. What began in her Oxford Brookes University bedroom, experimenting with Amazon-bought fabrics and hand-sewing garments, has grown into a brand that now sells out monthly pre-orders, has been featured in Vogue and Vanity Fair, and operates with a fiercely loyal community, all without a traditional retail or buying background. Yasmin talks about how Ginny & Me started as what she calls an “accidental brand,” initially rooted in linen and gingham pieces (with the name itself evolving from “gingham”). Before even launching her first drop, she had already built a following of 800 people and when that first collection went live, it sold out in just 28 minutes. From there, the brand evolved into its now-signature product: the flared-sleeve windbreaker, which gained traction after a viral TikTok moment at a King’s Road pop-up. That moment not only accelerated growth but also introduced the pre-order model that now defines the business. We explore why pre-order has been such a powerful strategy for Ginny & Me - supporting cash flow, reducing waste, and building anticipation with every drop. Yasmin also shares the reality behind the scenes, from navigating multiple manufacturers before finding the right partners, to pricing products instinctively (even absorbing VAT to keep pricing accessible). The conversation touches on the brand’s unexpected crossover into the running and athleisure space, and how its content strategy has been driven less by planning and more by authenticity - showing the real, often chaotic day-to-day of building a business. Alongside the growth, Yasmin opens up about the challenges too -burnout, scaling quickly, and the decision to bring in a fulfilment centre to support demand. She also shares her experience entering the wholesale world somewhat last-minute through Top Drawer, and what’s next for the brand, including upcoming collaborations and long-term ambitions across categories like homeware and babywear. It’s an honest and refreshing conversation about building a brand in a new way, trusting your instincts, and learning as you go. Three Key Takeaways: Pre-order is the way forward Authenticity beats polish Trust your gut and just start If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E7: Introducing... The Buyers Club | 26 mars 2026 | 00:43:04 | |
In this special episode, we’re doing something a little different. Before we dive into our usual conversations, we’re sharing something we’ve been working on behind the scenes for a while- the launch of The Buyer’s Club. This has been a long time coming, and it’s something we feel incredibly passionate about because it really started with our own experience. Throughout our careers in buying, we’ve always leaned on each other to sense-check decisions, share the highs and lows, and navigate what can often feel like a fast-paced and, at times, quite intense role. Having that support made a huge difference, and it made us realise just how valuable it is to have people around you who truly understand what you do. Created by buyers, for buyers, The Buyer’s Club is a members-only community designed to support those working in retail buying through connection, shared insight and ongoing inspiration. The idea came not only from our own experience, but also from speaking to the wider industry. After gathering feedback from over 400 retail buyers, it became clear that there was a real need for a space like this, somewhere buyers could feel more connected, supported and understood. Retail buying sits in a unique position within the industry. It’s a role that blends creativity with commercial thinking, requiring instinct, data, and the ability to make decisions quickly. It’s incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its challenges and often, those experiences are only truly understood by other buyers. That’s exactly what led us to create The Buyer’s Club: a space where those conversations can happen more openly, and where buyers can learn from each other in a meaningful way. Inside the club, members have access to a range of content and experiences designed to support them in their roles. This includes curated trend edits and retail insights to help inform buying decisions, learning and development tools, and a calendar of key industry moments. Alongside this, there are opportunities to connect through networking events and monthly online catch-ups, as well as access to a private community space, behind-the-scenes podcast content and exclusive member perks. The Buyer’s Club is for anyone working in retail buying, whether you’re at the beginning of your career or have years of experience behind you. If you’re looking to feel more connected to others in the industry, stay inspired, and have access to tools and insight that support your role, this is exactly why we built it. If you’d like to join, you can find more details via our website: Key Takeaways Built on real buyer feedback Retail buying deserves its own space Connection builds confidence If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E6: What It Really Takes to Scale a Rental Fashion Business with Lyndsay Mason | 18 mars 2026 | 00:44:07 | |
In this episode, we sit down with Lyndsay Mason, founder and CEO of For The Creators, a business transforming maternity and early parenthood fashion through a sustainable rental model. What began as a personal frustration with the lack of stylish, practical options for expectant and new mothers has evolved into a comprehensive platform offering curated clothing rental, thoughtfully selected lifestyle products, and soon, a dedicated community space. Lyndsay shares her journey from global digital marketer for baby brands to building a fashion-tech rental business without a traditional fashion background. She talks candidly about launching with just a 10-dress capsule collection, navigating the operational complexities of rental logistics and technology, and scaling the model through wholesale partnerships with brands including Whistles, Hatch and Rykä. We explore the clear gap in the maternity and postpartum market, and how Lyndsay built a rental model from scratch to serve women during a significant life-stage shift. The conversation covers curating for bump-friendly and breastfeeding-ready styles, developing a membership model that enables unlimited wardrobe swaps, and the realities of inventory forecasting in a stock-heavy, capital-intensive rental business. Lyndsay also explains how the platform is evolving beyond clothing into beauty, wellness and lifestyle, driven directly by customer feedback and community insight. At its core, For The Creators is not only providing a more sustainable and stylish solution for modern parents, but also creating new customer acquisition channels for fashion brands - all while building a supportive ecosystem for women navigating pregnancy, postpartum and identity transformation. Three Key Takeaways
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E5 Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honour with Janine McManus | 11 mars 2026 | 00:59:51 | |
This week we’re joined by Janine McManus - former fashion buyer, therapeutic coach and founder of We Beam - for a powerful and honest conversation about burnout, identity and redefining success. Janine began her career as a print designer before carving her way into buying at Burton, later spending formative years at ASOS during its meteoric rise. She shares what it was like to be part of that high-energy growth phase - the creativity, the camaraderie, the culture that made it feel like anything was possible. But alongside the highs, Janine speaks candidly about the pressures many buyers will recognise: relentless deadlines, constant decision-making, long hours and the quiet normalisation of stress and burnout. We explore what happens when the role you once loved no longer serves you - and how Janine made the brave decision to step away from retail to retrain in hypnotherapy and transformational coaching. Today, through We Beam, she supports individuals navigating stress, career crossroads and the search for something more sustainable. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on identity beyond your job title, the power of community in high-performance cultures, and why investing in people - not just productivity - is what truly drives long-term success. Three Key Takeaways 1) Your job title is not your identity 2) Culture and community fuel performance 3) Burnout isn’t “just part of the job” If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E4: From Fashion Buying to Building Club Mera with Amy Rollings | 04 mars 2026 | 00:57:42 | |
In this episode, we sit down with Amy Rollings, a commercial leader with over 20 years of experience at some of the world’s most influential fashion and lifestyle brands, including Burberry, Michael Kors, Kurt Geiger and Pangaia. Amy takes us on her journey from a fashion intern in New York to building a deep foundation in retail buying, where she learned to understand product, customer behavior, and brand storytelling at scale. She reflects on her time at Burberry during its “golden years” under Angela Ahrendts and Christopher Bailey, and how being part of a culture-first organization shaped her approach to leadership and collaboration. Amy shares why she decided to leave the corporate world to co-found Club Mera, a non-alcoholic lifestyle brand redefining social drinking. She opens up about the realities of starting a business from scratch, building a brand ecosystem, moving fast, and embracing failure- as well as how her non-linear, “squiggly” career prepared her for the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. We dive into the skills and experiences that helped Amy succeed in buying and leadership roles, including the importance of negotiation, communication, and relationship-building. She highlights why being customer-obsessed is more important than ever, especially in today’s fragmented market, and shares how her early experiences as a “sponge” in retail buying set her up for long-term commercial impact. Along the way, she reflects on navigating redundancies, difficult work situations, and how these moments taught resilience, adaptability, and the confidence to take calculated risks later in life. Amy also talks about redefining social drinking with an inclusive, adult alcohol-free option, and how her experience across different categories, from fashion to lifestyle, helped her spot opportunities, understand consumer behavior, and turn ideas into actionable, successful business decisions. Three Key Takeaways
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E3: Podcast LIVE at Top Drawer - Getting started in AI with Hannah Adams | 25 févr. 2026 | 00:56:49 | |
This week’s episode is split into two parts. The first was recorded live at Top Drawer back in January, where we sat down with Hannah Adams to talk about AI and what it really means for buyers and brands. The second dives into Hannah’s career journey from buyer to business transformation specialist and what that evolution teaches us about modern retail careers. Part One: Live from Top Drawer - AI in Retail Recording live brought such energy to this conversation. We wanted to strip AI back to what actually matters in day-to-day retail roles. Hannah shares her experience at ASOS, where she worked on implementing Microsoft Copilot, and breaks down how tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can support buyers in practical ways. We cover real use cases, competitor analysis, trend research, product development ideas, supplier emails, negotiation prep and contract reviews as well as the importance of strong prompting and protecting sensitive business data. The key message? AI is an assistant, not a replacement. Your judgement and instinct still matter most- AI simply helps you move faster and think wider. Part Two: Hannah’s Career Pivot Hannah started her career at Evans within Arcadia Group before moving into buying roles at Topman during the High Street’s early 2000s peak. She shares the reality of international supplier travel- from Taiwan to Mauritius and the buzz of developing product and trading weekly sales. Her move into business transformation was driven by both lifestyle considerations and curiosity. She explains how transformation roles act as the bridge between technical teams and commercial teams, helping retailers adopt new systems in ways that genuinely work for buyers and merchandisers. Her journey is a brilliant example of how transferable buying skills really are — negotiation, stakeholder management and commercial thinking open far more doors than many realise. We finish by reflecting on what we all still love about buying: the thrill of sales, backing your instinct, building supplier relationships and seeing product come to life. Three Takeaways 1) AI won’t replace buyers - but buyers who use AI well will have an advantage. 2) Buying skills are incredibly transferable. Retail careers don’t have to be linear to be successful. 3) Whether it’s new technology or a new role, growth comes from experimenting, staying curious and backing yourself. Let us know what resonates most and whether you’ve started exploring AI in your own role yet. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E2: From shop floor lessons to commercial confidence in FMCG with Dahlia Stroud | 18 févr. 2026 | 00:46:55 | |
S8 EP2 From shop floor lessons to commercial confidence with Dahlia Stroud This week we’re joined by Dahlia Stroud, a retail and FMCG leader whose career spans Nestlé, Asda and Co-op, where she’s led commercial strategy, online trading and multiple buying teams (without ever officially holding the buyer title). Today she hosts Stressed But Well-Dressed, exploring the link between confidence, mindset and how we show up at work. In this episode we go back to the start- field sales, Christmas aisles and learning retail the hard way and how those early experiences built the instincts she later used to lead teams and shape commercial decisions across categories from home to healthcare. We talk about the moment online retail changed everything: why a profitable product on paper isn’t always profitable in reality, how customer behaviour differs by channel, and why great buyers have to understand the full journey not just the margin line. Dahlia shares how she influenced teams without authority, using insight and education to bring people with her rather than telling them what to do. We also get into the human side of careers. Redundancy knocked her confidence and identity, and led to creating Stressed But Well-Dressed as a way to rebuild her voice, discovering along the way that everyone, even senior leaders, is figuring it out as they go. Confidence, she says, isn’t about knowing everything it’s about trusting you can work it out. Along the way we cover trend moments that unexpectedly explode, why getting the basics right matters just as much as innovation, and the psychology behind why customers actually buy things in the first place. Three key takeaways 1. The best commercial instincts are built on the shop floor 2. Buying isn’t just margin (yes we did say that) it’s the full operating model 3. Confidence drives progression more than job titles Connect with Dahlia Podcast: Stressed But Well-Dressed If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S8 E1: Behind every great product, is a product tech with Claire Ward, Senior Product Technologist at Mint Velvet | 11 févr. 2026 | 00:44:37 | |
This week we are joined by Claire Ward- a senior product technologist. This episode is a particularly special one for us. Claire, Kate and Lyns all met right at the very beginning of our careers at Accessorize, learning the ropes of retail together so recording this felt like a real full-circle moment. We start by reminiscing about those early days before diving into the journey Claire has taken since, building an impressive career across some of the UK’s best-known fashion brands including Accessorize, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Mint Velvet and Hush. Claire shares how she moved from being a creative student into the world of product technology and explains why the role is far more influential than many people realise. She lifts the lid on what a product technologist actually does day-to-day from fit, construction and fabric performance to safety testing, compliance and quality assurance and how they quietly protect both the customer and the business. A particularly fascinating part of Claire’s journey came when she took a year out after Debenhams to work in Uganda with nonprofit organisation Acoa, which employed Ugandan women to produce jewellery and homeware for the US market. Hired as a product development manager, she quickly discovered she was the only person in the organisation with manufacturing or fashion experience and had to build the role from scratch. Acting as the bridge between US designers and the Ugandan production team, Claire created early samples, refined products for scalable production and introduced more efficient manufacturing methods. From visiting local markets to trace dye sources, to sourcing compliant suppliers in Kampala and investing in tooling for cowhorn craftsmen, the work was deeply hands-on and problem-solving led. Claire talks honestly about why tech teams can sometimes be undervalued despite preventing costly mistakes, reducing returns and improving customer trust. Along the way she shares real-world stories from factories in India to Christmas decorations that accidentally became classified as toys, highlighting how problem-solving sits at the heart of the job. Ultimately this episode is a reminder that behind every great product is a technologist making sure it works, lasts and is safe to sell — often without anyone ever knowing. Three Key Takeaways Product technologists are more than fit checkers. They bring expertise in fabric, manufacturing, construction and compliance that can save businesses significant money through reduced returns, improved consumption and stronger quality perception. Involve tech from the beginning. The strongest products happen when technologists are part of development from day one, working alongside buyers and designers to prevent problems before they become costly mistakes. Communication and respect are everything. Great buyer-tech partnerships rely on clear communication, mutual respect and understanding each other’s KPIs — when tech stays commercial and buyers listen to risk, everyone wins, especially the customer. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E10: Progress Over Perfection: Making Circular Fashion Work at Scale with Nick Lambert, Head of Circularity at Primark | 04 févr. 2026 | 01:08:16 | |
This week’s episode is a big one and a conversation we’ve been really excited to share. We’re joined by Nick Lambert, Head of Circularity at Primark, whose career journey is a powerful example of how deep commercial experience can drive real, meaningful change in sustainability. Nick started his career like many in retail working his way up through buying, beginning as a buying admin assistant at Arcadia (Topshop/Topman), before becoming a buyer and eventually moving to Primark nearly a decade ago. After 20 years in the industry, Nick made the transition from buying into sustainability, where he now leads Primark’s circular fashion strategy at scale. What makes this conversation so compelling is Nick’s honesty about the realities of change in a fast-paced, commercial retail environment. He shares how Primark’s sustainability function has evolved, how circularity is being embedded into buying and design teams, and why progression over perfection is the only way forward when working at volume. We dive into what circular design actually means in practice from hands-on co-creation workshops with buyers and designers, to the challenge (and success) of moving from 0% to 5% circular design in clothing in just two years. Nick also explains how material innovation plays a role, with 74% of Primark clothing now containing recycled or more sustainably sourced materials. A big part of this episode focuses on people how to bring buying teams on the journey, make sustainability exciting rather than overwhelming, and balance commercial KPIs alongside long-term environmental goals. Nick shares why internal ambassadors are key, and how creativity and collaboration unlock far more progress than compliance ever could. Finally, we look ahead. From upcoming EU legislation on eco-design, to the rise of pre-loved fashion and repair services, including Primark’s repair pilot with The Seam in Manchester, Nick gives a clear-eyed view of where circular retail is heading and why collaboration across the industry has never been more important. This is a must-listen for buyers, designers, sustainability teams, and anyone curious about how big retailers can be part of the solution. Three Key Takeaways 1) Scale Can Drive Real Impact While fast fashion often faces criticism for volume, Nick shows how scale can be a force for good. From supporting 300,000 small-holder farmers through the Cotton Project to achieving 10% recycled cotton usage, large retailers have the power to drive meaningful change when sustainability is built into the system. 2) Sustainability Needs Commercial Allies The biggest barrier to progress isn’t technical - it’s engagement. Embedding sustainability into buying teams means speaking their language, celebrating progress over perfection, and making change feel creative, achievable, and commercially relevant. 3) Collaboration Is Non-Negotiable Sustainability is one area where competitors are choosing collaboration over secrecy. Working with organisations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Cotton Connect, and alongside brands such as H&M, Inditex, Ralph Lauren and Gucci, proves that shared challenges require shared solutions. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E9: Why we fell in love with retail buying - and why so many are leaving | 28 janv. 2026 | 00:38:38 | |
In this episode, Kate and Lyns reflect on seven seasons of Buying and Beyond and take on one of the most pressing - and personal - topics in retail today: why so many buyers are leaving the industry they once loved. With no guest this week, the conversation is honest and unfiltered. They explore the realities facing buying teams today, from shrinking budgets and growing workloads to the erosion of creativity and the frustration caused by unclear or constantly shifting brand strategies. The role of the buyer, once central and celebrated, is increasingly under pressure - and often misunderstood. Kate and Lyns look back on their own buying journeys, sharing stories from very different chapters of their careers - working under duvets to hit deadlines, travelling to Hong Kong, buying everything from jewellery and seasonal novelties to barbecues and wine. These reflections highlight just how much the buying role has changed over the years, and what’s been lost along the way. They discuss how the function has evolved over the past decade, including the growing influence of AI and automation in buying and merchandising. While technology can bring efficiencies, they question whether the industry is at risk of stripping out the very creativity, instinct, and inspiration that make great buying possible. Despite the challenges, the episode is ultimately hopeful. Kate and Lindsay share why they remain deeply committed to supporting the buying community - through networking events, mentorship, and creating spaces where buyers can connect, learn, and feel less alone. They argue that while the role of the buyer is transforming, the human judgement at the heart of buying cannot be replaced. This episode is a rallying call for retailers to recognise the true value of buying, protect the creativity that fuels it, and invest in the people who quietly drive commercial success. Three Key Takeaways 1) Buying is one of the most powerful levers in retail. When buying is strong, businesses thrive. When it’s weak, no amount of marketing or branding can fix it. Buyers make the core decisions that drive profit, yet the role is often undervalued and under-resourced. 2) Creativity must be protected, even as efficiency increases. AI and technology can support admin and process, but creativity, inspiration, and gut instinct remain essential. Cutting travel, inspiration, and thinking time risks eroding the very foundations of great ranges. 3) Community and connection are critical. Buyers are often conditioned to work in silos, but breaking down barriers through networking, mentorship, and shared experiences is key to tackling burnout, reducing isolation, and helping the industry move forward together. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E8: Building beauty brands with Harry Zalk CEO of Arkive Headcare | 21 janv. 2026 | 00:59:04 | |
In today’s episode, we’re delighted to be joined by Harry Zalk, CEO of ARKIVE Headcare at Matrix Brands an innovative, B Corp–certified brand incubator creating and scaling some of the most exciting names in health and beauty. Matrix is behind an award-winning portfolio spanning skincare, haircare, bodycare and fragrance, including Cowshed, ARKIVE Headcare and Soho Skin. Beyond their own brands, they also develop private label products and brand-led experiences for major retail, travel and hospitality partners such as Space NK, Boots, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and British Airways - taking products from concept and NPD through to manufacturing, distribution and marketing. Harry’s career journey is a fascinating one. He shares how he transitioned from the world of apparel into beauty, what drew him to the category, and how those early experiences shaped his approach to brand building, sourcing and partnerships. We explore how Matrix’s business model has evolved over time, why adaptability is critical when scaling consumer brands, and how innovation sits at the heart of everything they do. We also dive deep into the realities of operating in beauty - from navigating complex supply chains and regulatory requirements to the ongoing challenge of making genuinely sustainable choices, particularly around packaging. Harry offers a refreshingly honest perspective on what becoming a B Corp really means in practice, why sustainability is rarely straightforward, and how education and transparency play a vital role with both suppliers and customers. Relationships are a recurring theme throughout the conversation. Harry shares why long-term success depends on strong, collaborative partnerships and how open communication helps businesses navigate challenges while continuing to innovate. We also touch on emerging trends in beauty, including the rise of science-backed formulations and the enduring power of fragrance as a tool for connection and brand storytelling. This episode is packed with practical insight for anyone working in buying, sourcing, product development, or brand-building - especially those navigating the balance between innovation, sustainability and commercial growth. Three Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Innovation and Adaptability Drive Success 2️⃣ Sustainability Is a Journey, Not a Destination 3️⃣ Relationships and Collaboration Are Essential If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E7: Burnout & building confidence in Buying & Design with The W-Collective | 14 janv. 2026 | 01:03:15 | |
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Katie and Clare, the brilliant duo behind The W-Collective - a platform built on honest conversations, practical tools, and real support for working women. If you haven’t come across The W-Collective yet, their mission is refreshingly clear: no “girl boss” clichés, no fluff - just real talk about careers, confidence, burnout, and navigating the realities of work while staying human (and keeping your sense of humour). Between them, Katie and Clare bring a powerful blend of commercial and creative experience. Clare has spent over 15 years in senior commercial and buying roles at major retailers including Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons. She’s deeply experienced in driving performance, making smart buying decisions, and climbing the corporate ladder - and just as passionate about sharing the lessons she’s learned along the way. Katie brings extensive experience in design leadership at brands such as ASOS, H&M, and M&S, where she’s worked at the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and brand strategy. Her career proves that commercial success and conscious decision-making can - and should - go hand in hand. In this episode, we explore how their individual journeys led them to each other and ultimately to the creation of The W-Collective. We talk openly about navigating corporate life, the pressures women face as they progress into senior roles, and the realities of burnout - including how to spot the early warning signs before things reach breaking point. Katie and Clare share practical advice on setting boundaries, managing stress, advocating for yourself, and why transparency around pay, progression, and personal experiences is so important. We also dive into how The W-Collective supports women through daily content, downloadable resources, and immersive coaching programmes like The Blueprint, all designed to help women thrive - not just survive - at work. Honest, relatable, and packed with insight, this episode is a must-listen for buyers, leaders, and ambitious women navigating their careers. Three Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Setting Boundaries is Essential 2️⃣ Burnout is Real — Learn to Recognise the Signs 3️⃣ Community and Transparency Drive Change You can find all of the incredible information and offers from the W collective here: https://w-collective.teachable.com/ And make sure you follow them on Instagram or Tik Tok for some really real and relevant reels! If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E6 - Expertise That Grows: Buying Plants with Claire Bishop, Senior Buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres | 07 janv. 2026 | 00:49:44 | |
In today’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Claire Bishop, Senior Plant Buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres and one of the most knowledgeable people we know when it comes to all things horticulture. Claire and Lynsey first met during our time at Dobbies, and I’ve always been in awe of her depth of plant knowledge and her genuine passion for the role plants play in people’s lives. When it comes to plant care, trends, and buying live product, Claire is a true specialist - what she doesn’t know about plants honestly isn’t worth knowing. Claire’s career is a fascinating one. From growing up surrounded by flowers, to working her way from the shop floor into buying, shaping national plant trends, serving as a Chelsea Flower Show Trade Judge, and most recently being appointed a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, she’s someone who continues to push boundaries while staying deeply rooted in her love for plants. In this conversation, Claire shares her journey into buying and what inspired her to specialise in plants, explaining why specialist knowledge is so critical in categories like horticulture. We talk about the unique challenges and joys of buying live product - from seasonality and crop failures to the fast decision-making required when working with something that quite literally grows and changes every day. We also explore how COVID-19 transformed the houseplant market, introducing a new generation of “plant parents,” and why garden centres offer something supermarkets simply can’t when it comes to expertise, advice, and experience. Claire gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her time judging at the Chelsea Flower Show, what that role involves, and what it’s like to help set the benchmark for excellence in the industry. Claire also shares her excitement about joining the board of trustees at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the responsibility that comes with it, and why protecting and promoting plant knowledge has never been more important. We round off the episode by diving into Spring/Summer trends for the season ahead, the brands and retailers she’s admiring right now, and her advice for anyone buying, selling, or simply caring for plants. This episode is packed with insight, expertise, and genuine love for the product - a must-listen for anyone working in specialist retail, buying, or the world of horticulture. Three Key Takeaways; 1️⃣ Expertise Shapes the Category 2️⃣ Adaptability is Essential 3️⃣ Plants Enrich Lives If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E5: What Buyers Need to Know About Creativity, Collaboration, and Commercial Design with Everly Studios | 17 déc. 2025 | 01:02:16 | |
In this episode, we’re joined by two absolute gems of the design world - Sarah Spires and Rachel Perkins - the creative duo and big-hearted energy behind Everley Studio. Before launching Everley, Sarah and Rachel spent years inside retail working for some of the biggest names on the UK high street: Next, George, F&F, and Laura Ashley. Between them, they’ve designed across womenswear, menswear, kids, knitwear, swim, and everything in between. They’ve lived the fast-paced, slightly chaotic, always creative world of in-house design and now they’re pouring all of that experience into Everley Studio, their thriving independent design business built on collaboration, flexibility, and genuinely great vibes. Everley Studio brings together a talented crew of designers who partner with brands to build thoughtful, commercial, beautifully crafted ranges. Their model offers businesses the flexibility of project-based support while giving their team the freedom to work in a way that sparks creativity a win for everyone involved. In our conversation, Sarah and Rachel take us behind the scenes of their journey, sharing how they first got started in design and the twists and turns that shaped their careers. They open up about the unique (and sometimes emotional!) dynamics between buyers, designers, and merchandisers, what truly makes a great buyer–designer partnership, and the moments that put those relationships to the test. They reflect on the buyers they loved working with most not naming names, but highlighting the skills and behaviours that set those collaborations apart and explain why trust, communication, and compromise are the secret sauce behind every standout range. Sarah and Rachel also reveal what inspired them to start Everley Studio, what they’ve learned while building a creative business from the ground up, how AI is influencing the future of design without ever replacing the human touch, and even share a look at the trends they’re already spotting for the seasons ahead. We also dive into the emotional investment designers bring to their work, how they handle feedback, where creativity meets commercial strategy, and how the industry is shifting toward more flexible, adaptive ways of working. And of course… we end with a bit of retail therapy! Our Three Key Takeaways: 2) Flexibility and Adaptability: 3) Embracing Technology - Without Losing the Human Touch: This episode is packed with industry insights, honest reflections, funny stories, and practical advice for anyone navigating the world of fashion design, buying, or retail. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E4: How a former M&S and Amazon Buyer turned her fashion career into a personal styling business, with Alex Stanley | 10 déc. 2025 | 00:42:20 | |
We’re so excited to welcome Alex Standley to the podcast this week! Alex has spent over 15 years navigating the high-stakes, fast-paced world of fashion buying at global giants like Marks & Spencer and Amazon - from trend-spotting and category strategy to negotiating those all-important big meetings. After a successful career in buying, Alex made a bold leap into entrepreneurship and founded her own personal styling company, helping high-performing women align their wardrobes with their leadership goals, confidence, and visibility. Basically, turning closets into a strategy for success. Alex and Lynsey first met when they were both buying for the fashion accessories department at M&S - so it’s extra fun to have her on the podcast sharing all her stories! In this episode, we chat about how she first knew fashion buying was her thing, her career journey and the highs, lows, and unexpected twists along the way, the categories she loved buying most, the challenges she faced, the brands she’s currently admiring, why she started her styling business, and her proudest moments since. Along the way, Alex shares memorable travel stories, insights on sustainability, the transition from corporate to running her own business, and the moments that really shaped her career. Three big takeaways: Three Key Takeaways:
Alex demonstrates the power of embracing change and growth, showing how stepping out of your comfort zone early (and later!) can lead to amazing opportunities. Whether you’re curious about the inner workings of fashion buying, thinking about a career pivot, or looking for inspiration to bring more purpose to your work, this episode is full of practical wisdom, personal stories, and actionable advice. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E3: What’s Next for Retail? AI, Innovation & Big Career Support with Julia Darlington (Part 2) | 03 déc. 2025 | 00:47:15 | |
In Part 2 of our conversation with Julia Darlington, we shift from her remarkable career journey to the future of the retail industry and the work she’s doing now to shape the next generation of female leaders. With decades of senior experience across some of the UK’s most iconic retailers, Julia brings a clear-eyed, forward-thinking perspective on what’s changing, what still needs to evolve, and how retailers can prepare for the market of tomorrow. We unpack the role of AI and digital innovation in the retail landscape, the cultural and structural changes the industry still needs to make, and the opportunities ahead for brands and teams who stay curious and adaptable. We also dive into Julia’s coaching business why she started it, the gap she set out to fill, and her mission to empower ambitious women rising into senior and C-suite leadership roles. Julia shares the challenges she sees most often, alongside the mindset shifts that create real confidence and momentum. The episode closes with her grounded, practical advice on what it takes to succeed in buying today — whether you’re early in your career or stepping into a leadership role. What We Cover in Part 2:
Three Key Takeaways from Part 2: 1. AI is reshaping retail and the opportunity is huge. 2. Retail still needs cultural and leadership change. 3. Women in retail need tailored support to rise and thrive. You’ll love this episode because it blends big-picture retail insight with practical, human advice.
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E2 Inside Julia Darlington’s Retail Career: Buying, Reinvention & Confidence in a Changing Industry (Part 1) | 26 nov. 2025 | 00:45:20 | |
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we’re thrilled to welcome Julia Darlington a woman whose career spans some of the UK’s most iconic retailers including M&S, French Connection, Habitat, Coast, Tie Rack, Arcadia, and Accessorize (and breathe!). Julia began her retail journey back in the 1980s, giving her a front-row seat to the industry’s evolution over several decades. She brings a wealth of experience, insight, and perspective and is a passionate advocate for female empowerment within the sector. In this episode, Julia walks us through her fascinating and non-linear career path: the early roles that shaped her, the pivotal moments that shifted her direction, and the lessons she learned as the retail landscape transformed around her. She shares honestly about the highs, the setbacks, and the serendipitous opportunities that gradually led her to the work she’s doing today helping women build confident, fulfilling careers in retail. Whether you're starting out, experiencing change, or feeling ready for reinvention, Julia’s story is a reminder that the best careers are rarely linear… and always shaped by the courage to keep moving forward. What we cover in Part 1:
Three Key Takeaways from Part 1 1. Careers aren’t linear - and that’s a strength. 2. The retail industry evolves - and so must we. 3. Confidence grows through both the highs and the setbacks. This episode is inspiring, encouraging, and full of the kind of wisdom you only get from someone who has seen retail and herself evolve over 40+ years. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| Retail Reflections 21st November 2025; Fast Paint, Knitted Scarves & Marketplace Madness | 21 nov. 2025 | 00:22:41 | |
This week on Retail Reflections: Shein’s still stealing headlines, Clarks and Walmart double down on marketplaces, and B&Q delivers paint faster than you can make a cuppa. M&S takes Percy Pigs down under, Vinted’s value goes sky-high, and Ocado launches a menopause aisle. Plus: wine bars go digital, Boden lands stateside, and Tom Daley knits Team GB into Olympic history. Retail’s never been busier - or more fun! If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S7 E1: What it really takes to thrive in fashion buying today with Stevie, Head of Buying at Hobbs | 19 nov. 2025 | 00:41:34 | |
In this episode of Buying & Beyond, we sit down with Stevie, Head of Buying at Hobbs, to explore her inspiring journey through the ever-changing world of fashion retail. From her early days at the London College of Fashion to leading buying teams at two of the UK’s most iconic high street brands - House of Fraser and Hobbs. Stevie’s career story is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and leadership. Stevie opens up about how her early internships shaped her understanding of the industry, sharing honest reflections on the importance of saying yes to opportunities, learning from setbacks, and building confidence in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Along the way, she recalls some of her most memorable buying moments - from navigating last-minute product challenges to the satisfaction of seeing designs come to life on the shop floor. We also dive into how the role of the buyer has evolved - from hands-on product selection to leading teams, managing suppliers, and driving sustainability. Stevie shares how she approaches supplier relationships as genuine partnerships, grounded in trust, communication, and shared values. She also discusses how mentorship and culture play a vital role in shaping positive, motivated teams and fostering the next generation of retail talent. And of course, no conversation would be complete without a few laughs - including Stevie’s hilarious and humbling “retail therapy” story from the pandemic years, your have to tune into to hear that one- trust us it's a good one and relatable to most parents juggling a full time career and parenthood! Whether you’re an aspiring buyer just starting out, or a seasoned professional looking to reconnect with the heart of retail, this episode offers a thoughtful, inspiring, and often funny look at what it really takes to thrive in fashion buying today. ✨ Three Key Takeaways
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| Retail Reflection 14th November 2025 | 14 nov. 2025 | 00:14:05 | |
Welcome to this week's episode! Here's what you'll hear:
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share with a friend. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| Retail Reflections 7th Nov: Ethics, Experience, and Christmas Cheer | 07 nov. 2025 | 00:20:44 | |
This week’s Retail Reflections covers a mix of uplifting and challenging stories from the retail world. The episode opens with the positive news of Nobody’s Child achieving B Corp status, highlighting their commitment to ethical practices and sustainability. The conversation then shifts to the controversy surrounding Shein and other online marketplaces, as the French government investigates the sale of inappropriate products and the resulting protests at BHV’s Shein concession. We discuss the evolving landscape of Christmas advertising, with a focus on the emotional storytelling of John Lewis, the classic festive approaches from Morrisons and Lidl, and the glitzy, celebrity-filled campaigns from Debenhams and Boots. We also spotlight the creative SheerLuxe Christmas gift guide video. In retail developments, Asda’s major store refurbishment in Harrogate signals a trend toward experience-driven supermarkets, while M&S and Clarks are both experimenting with new formats. The episode wraps up with reflections on consumer confidence heading into the holiday season and the enduring appeal of festive traditions. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S6 E10: The Countdown to Christmas: we unwrap the chaos and charm of the Christmas retail season | 05 nov. 2025 | 00:58:56 | |
In this lively season finale, we unwrap the chaos and charm of the Christmas retail season. Kicking off right after Halloween, we reflect on everything from giant spiders and creepy gingerbread men to the very first signs of Christmas fever. With years of experience in buying seasonal products, we share insider tips, stories, and laughs about when to put up the tree, the latest in festive home décor, and the ever-evolving trends in pumpkins, ghosts, and sustainable Christmas goodies. The episode dives into the art (and occasional chaos) of Christmas decorating whether at home or in the office and explores retailer strategies for Black Friday, Christmas, and beyond. We discuss themed Christmas ranges, the importance of novelty “press pieces,” and the sustainable challenges that come with the season, from glitter to recycled crackers and the push for longer-lasting products. Along the way, we share top tips for buying and planning seasonal ranges, the advent calendar craze, and the debate over experience gifts versus “stuff.” Of course, no Christmas chat would be complete without a few favorite Christmas stories, product mishaps, and the joys (and occasional pains) of Secret Santa because there’s nothing quite like organised fun in the office at Christmas. Whether you’re a retail insider or simply love the magic of the season, this episode is packed with trends, practical advice, and plenty of festive cheer. It’s the perfect way to prepare for the busiest retail period of the year and to make sure your Christmas ranges hit the mark (this year, and next!) Key Takeaways:
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| Retail Reflections 31st October: Beauty, Brands, and Black Friday | 31 oct. 2025 | 00:15:37 | |
This week on Retail Reflections, we’re diving into the retail rush that’s starting earlier than ever. With Black Friday deals already flooding our feeds, we explore why brands are breaking tradition and what that means for both shoppers and sales. We also take a look at the beauty sector’s big moves, from Boots’ new store openings to the rise of loyalty programs like Club New Look and the ever-evolving Boots Advantage Card. Plus, we celebrate some impressive brand comebacks including New Look and Superdry and talk about how retailers are navigating tech glitches during the busiest season of the year. To wrap things up, we share first impressions of the new Christmas ads and reflect on the Victoria Beckham documentary a fascinating look at brand reinvention, public perception, and staying relevant in the fast-paced world of fashion. Key Takeaways:
🎧 Tune in for trends, insights, and a few festive laughs as we unpack what’s shaping retail this season. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S6 E9: From High Street to Wholesale: How Rebecca Hawkes Reinvented Her Buying Career | 29 oct. 2025 | 00:58:16 | |
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Rebecca Hawkes, Buying Manager at Something Different Wholesale and someone who’s experienced the buying world from both sides of the fence: big-name retail and fast-moving B2B. Rebecca’s career started in fashion design, but it was a university placement at Tesco that ignited her passion for buying. From there, she climbed the ranks across departments like ladieswear, knitwear and nightwear, learning the importance of agility, training, and collaboration in a fast-paced corporate environment. After relocating to Wales, Rebecca’s journey took a creative turn from visual merchandising at John Lewis and New Look to building the buying function at Something Different Wholesale almost from scratch. She now leads the sourcing and development of over 4,000 SKUs, helping to shape the home and gift ranges loved by retailers across the UK and beyond. In this episode, we chat about how Rebecca made the leap from retail to wholesale and what changes when your customer becomes a business rather than a shopper. We discuss the rise of gothic and book-inspired gifts and how she keeps on top of shifting product trends. Rebecca also opens up about the ongoing challenge of balancing sustainability, packaging, and commercial reality, and she shares some of the lighter moments and lessons learned from years spent in buying including the occasional pricing mishap that every buyer can relate to. Rebecca’s story is a reminder that great buying is about so much more than numbers it’s about curiosity, adaptability, and never being afraid to try something different. 3 Key Takeaways:
Explore Rebecca’s work and discover Something Different Wholesale’s ranges at somethingdifferentwholesale.co.uk. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| Retail Reflections 24th October 2025: Brands, Bans, and Bingham’s | 24 oct. 2025 | 00:18:39 | |
After a brief hiatus, we're back with a fast-paced download of the latest happenings in retail, brand news, and industry trends.
Listen in for: If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S6 E8: 'Just Buy Nice Things!' with Glenn Gallagher Scott Ex Arcadia, Next & Primark Buyer and founder of DEN Loungewear | 21 oct. 2025 | 01:00:16 | |
This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Glenn, Founder of DEN Loungewear — and a true retail all-rounder who’s spent years shaping menswear for some of the UK’s biggest high-street names, including Primark, Arcadia, and Next. Glenn’s story begins where so many retail careers do on the shop floor. Starting as a sales assistant at Topman, he quickly caught the buying bug and made the move to head office, where he built a career defined by creativity, commercial instinct, and an eye for great product. From trainee buyer at Burton to buyer at Next, Glenn shares how the best retailers invest in developing their people, and how resilience, teamwork, and understanding how others work are just as essential as a love of fashion. We chat about his proudest moments from launching the Primark Pride range, to creating Next’s best-selling onesie as a trainee buyer, to that unforgettable Christmas jumper sign-off with Sir Philip Green (and a few lessons learned about toxic leadership and how the industry’s culture is changing for the better). Glenn also opens up about his leap from buyer to business owner, turning a lockdown hobby into a thriving brand. Using his long-standing supplier relationships and a keen sense for what customers really want, he launched DEN Loungewear a stylish, quality-driven collection designed for comfort and confidence. From spending his redundancy money on his first production run to seeing his designs come to life in a Greek summer shoot, Glenn’s story is a masterclass in passion, perseverance, and trusting your instincts. This episode is packed with insights for anyone in retail, buying, or brand-building from navigating your early career to leading with empathy, and knowing when to take that next big leap. ✨ Key Takeaways
Check out denloungewear.com 🎧 Tune in for career lessons, retail insights, and plenty of laughs from someone who’s truly been there, bought that, and now built something brilliant. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S6 E7: Podcast LIVE: with Rosie Head of Range and E-commerce at Not On The High Street | 14 oct. 2025 | 00:50:14 | |
This episode was recorded LIVE at Top Drawer in September 2025. Top Drawer is the UK's leading design-led trade show for buyers and retailers to discover, connect, and purchase lifestyle products across sectors like Home, Gift, Fashion, and Stationery. It's held twice yearly at Kensington Olympia, London. Join us, Kate & Lyns, for a chat with Rosie, Head of Range & Ecommerce at NOTHS. Rosie has worked in a variety of different retail environments, from slow carefully crafted collections to fast fashion trading floors, the charity sector and marketplace buying. We will be discussing Rosie's experience working as a retail buyer for large UK retailers, such as, Principles, Debenhams, Oasis, Jaeger, River Island, BBC Children in Need, Superdrug and NOTHS. Rosie, like us, is an expert in product development and trading strategies. She knows exactly how to drive sales, curate compelling product ranges and pivot at the most testing of times. She has spent the past 8 years sharing her knowledge with independent brands at NOTHS. Rosie knows everything there is to know about sourcing, coaching and scaling small product based businesses. With 70% of all sales expected to be on marketplaces by 2030, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a retail business or a retail buyer, we can guarantee you’ll learn something new. Key takeaways
If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||
| S6 E6: Why wine buying is the dream job with Emma Robinson | 07 oct. 2025 | 00:54:16 | |
In this episode of Buying and Beyond, we sit down with Emma Robinson, a consultant wine buyer whose career is as rich and layered as the wines she sources. From studying science to stepping into the world of fine wines, Emma has carved out a unique path, working across yacht provisioning, supermarket collaborations, and specialist training. Emma shares what it really takes to succeed in wine buying, from the value of qualifications like WSET and Master of Wine, to the deep product knowledge and relationships required to source the right bottles for yachts, restaurants, and retail shelves. Along the way, we explore the differences between on-trade and off-trade sales, the role of climate and production in shaping wine quality, and the constant balancing act of price versus provenance. We also talk about the fun side of the job: spotting emerging trends like orange wine, chilled reds, and Georgian wines; traveling the world to meet producers; and the occasional challenges (and perks!) of finding rare bottles under pressure. Emma reflects on her favourite regions, shares stories from the road, and offers practical tips. This is a great listen if you’re an aspiring buyer, a wine enthusiast, or simply looking for the perfect winter bottle. With advice on supporting English vineyards, stretching your wine budget, and discovering something new every time you pour a glass, this episode offers a fascinating peek into a career built on both passion and precision. Key Takeaways
Connect with Emma: If you’re interested in a career in wine buying or want to learn more, Emma encourages you to reach out and explore wine courses or volunteer during harvest season. If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk
If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! | |||