Explore every episode of the podcast Buying and Beyond
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Reflections 7th Nov: Ethics, Experience, and Christmas Cheer | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:19:32 | |
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 | 00:57:44 | |
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! | |||
| S6 E4: Inside Fashion retail training with Louis from the Fashion Retail Academy | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:48:00 | |
In this episode of Buying and Beyond, we sit down with Louis Clark, Head of Strategic Program Development at the Fashion Retail Academy (FRA) and the Education for Industry Group. Louis takes us inside the innovative ways FRA is transforming work-based learning for the retail sector. From apprenticeships and bespoke programs to short courses across fashion, beauty, and beyond, FRA is bridging the gap between education and industry. We explore why industry-specific training matters, and how FRA tailors government funded programs to meet real-world retail needs via the apprenticeship scheme. The benefits of hiring trainers directly from the industry, ensuring students gain practical, up-to-date knowledge. He shares how the Academy hires trainers directly from industry, bringing first-hand experience into the classroom so learning remains practical, current, and directly applicable. We discuss how apprenticeships and short courses support both newcomers and experienced professionals looking to upskill, transition, or reignite their careers. The next exciting chapter for the FRA is its expansion into the beauty sector, we take a look at the unique challenges and opportunities for training in this fast-growing industry. Beyond education, Louis emphasizes the power of building community and collaboration through networking events, peer learning, and ongoing professional support. We also dive into practical tips for individuals and brands on accessing apprenticeships, maximizing learning & development budgets, and investing in people for long-term success. You don't want to miss our highlights from FRA’s recent “Prepare for Peak” networking event, we chat about what happened on the night and how much we enjoyed seeing our community growing. 👉 Connect with Louis Clark on [LinkedIn] or visit the [Fashion Retail Academy website] for details on programs, apprenticeships, and upcoming events. 🎙️ Top 3 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 19th September: New Trends, New Stores, New Energy | 19 Sep 2025 | 00:16:23 | |
In this episode of Retail Reflections, your hosts dive into the latest happenings in the world of fashion and retail for the week ending September 19th, 2025. Despite a few real-life interruptions (tree surgeons and lingering colds!), the conversation is packed with insights and lively discussion. Highlights include:
Tune in for a blend of trend analysis, retail news, and thoughtful commentary on the future of shopping and fashion careers. 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 E3: From Fashion to Fencing with Rebecca Thompson, Category Manager for Jewsons | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:45:44 | |
In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Thompson, an experienced Product Category Manager at Jewsons, who has built an impressive career spanning fashion, sports retail, appliances, and now building products. Rebecca’s journey is a fascinating example of how skills in buying and category management can transfer across industries - even from trend-led fashion accessories to long-lifecycle hard goods like composite decking, cladding, and fencing. Rebecca reflects on her early years working with big names like New Look and Sports Direct, where the buying process was fast-paced, heavily trend-driven, and all about quick reactions. At Eurocell, she owned outdoor living categories in a business that evolved from a manufacturer into both a retail and trade powerhouse. She talks us through the rapid growth the company has experienced - especially during the COVID-19 pandemic - and the importance of adapting quickly to changing customer journeys and the rise of e-commerce. We also explore how her role demands deep product knowledge and ongoing technical training. Rebecca emphasizes that in hard goods, credibility comes not just from sales strategy, but from being able to advise customers with confidence. Trade shows and industry events play a big role here, offering both inspiration and networking opportunities. A particularly engaging part of our conversation focuses on gender dynamics in the retail and trade industries. Rebecca shares her perspective on the increasing visibility and influence of women in spaces that have traditionally been male-dominated, noting, “Women are increasingly shaping the customer journey in trade and DIY sectors.” She believes this shift is reshaping how businesses think about service, communication, and product ranges. Sustainability is another recurring theme. Rebecca highlights how the industry is moving toward more thoughtful decision-making. “Sustainability and quality are becoming more important in both fashion and hard goods,” she explains, pointing out that buyers now have to consider not just trends but also the long-term impact and environmental footprint of their categories. Whether you’re in fashion, DIY, or any other sector, Rebecca’s story demonstrates that every product category has its own challenges and excitement - and that embracing change, focusing on customers, and building transferable skills are the keys to a lasting career in buying and category management. 3 Key Takeaways:
Sponsors: 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 12th September 2025: TV Channels, Loyalty, Marketplaces & Collaborations | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:18:50 | |
We may be a little croaky this week (autumn bugs have caught us!), but there’s far too much happening in retail to skip an episode. So, grab a cuppa and join us for a whistle-stop tour of the latest industry moves, headlines, and a few surprises. This week, we discuss:
Despite scratchy voices, we dig into the shifts shaping retail today, from loyalty schemes and marketplaces to influencer collabs and government pressures. 🔔 Subscribe to Retail Revealed to stay ahead of what’s happening in retail every week. 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 E2: Finding a Path in Fashion Buying with Yasmin Parkin, Buying & Merchandising Degree student at The Fashion Retail Academy | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:36:37 | |
In this episode, we welcome Yasmin Parkin, a Buying and Merchandising student at the Fashion Retail Academy in London. Yasmin takes us through her journey of discovering her passion for fashion during school and how that interest eventually led her to pursue a degree focused on buying and merchandising. For her, fashion isn’t just about the clothes - it’s about what they represent, who they’re for, and how they connect with people. As she puts it, “It’s not just about loving fashion, it’s about understanding the customer and what’s selling.” Yasmin shares how her coursework has gone far beyond the classroom, with practical projects that helped clarify her career goals. From creating her own denim brand to tackling range planning exercises, these experiences have given her a hands-on look at what it takes to succeed in the industry. She admits that some of the more technical aspects, like learning Excel and mastering retail critical paths, have been challenging but essential. These skills, she explains, are what give structure to the creativity at the heart of buying. Yasmin explains what excites her most about buying: the opportunity to spot trends, understand customers, and make decisions that shape what people see on the shop floor. Work experience has been another cornerstone of Yasmin’s learning. She highlights the value of internships and industry placements, even when they reveal what doesn’t feel like the right fit. As she reflects, “Work experience is so valuable, even if it shows you what you don’t want to do.” This mindset has helped her refine her career ambitions and gain confidence in pursuing buying as her path. The conversation also touches on Yasmin’s inspirations, from admired brands to industry figures who are pushing fashion forward. Sustainability comes up as a recurring theme, with Yasmin emphasizing that responsible buying means making smarter, more selective choices rather than producing endlessly. In her words, “Sustainability means being more selective, not just offering every product in every color.” She believes the future of buying lies in balancing creativity with a responsibility to customers and the planet. Whether you’re a student considering a career in retail, an aspiring buyer curious about the industry, or simply someone interested in how fashion decisions are made, Yasmin’s journey offers both inspiration and practical advice. 3 Key Takeaways:
Sponsors: For buying support email us at hello@buyingandbeyond.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 5th September: Second-hand Spotlight & Brand Evolutions | 05 Sep 2025 | 00:21:24 | |
Welcome to another episode of Friday Retail Reflections! This week, we’re diving into the latest trends and stories shaping the retail landscape. We kick things off with Amazon’s Second Chance Deal Days - the retailer’s first-ever discount event dedicated to secondhand products. With over 30 million returned and refurbished items up for grabs, this move shines a spotlight on the resale market and reinforces its growing role in mainstream retail. Next, we turn to the British Heart Foundation, highlighted by the BRC for its remarkable contribution to both communities and the environment. With 680 stores across the UK, the charity sells 25 million donated items annually and prevents 54,000 tons of goods from ending up in landfill. It’s a powerful reminder of how charity shopping is driving the circular economy. Mori’s acquisition Storksak and Babymel marks an important moment for their growing portfolio of baby and kidswwear brands. The blend of quality craftsmanship, timeless design, and fresh modern touches shows how legacy brands can stay relevant for today’s parents. We also celebrate The White Company’s 30th birthday. Three decades on, the brand continues to evolve with new clothing lines, and an impressive consistency in brand identity that has stood the test of time. On the branding front, & Other Stories debuts a bold new look under Jonathan Saunders, sparking debate on the necessity of rebrands Meanwhile, Topshop’s return via John Lewis raises questions around brand fit, customer expectations, and the continued reshaping of the UK high street. This month fashion weeks are back - with Manchester’s revival after a decade, followed by the big four: New York, London, Milan, and Paris. It’s a reminder of how these events continue to shape trends and set the tone for seasons ahead. Finally, we pause to remember Giorgio Armani, reflecting on the life, career pivots, and lasting influence of one of fashion’s true icons. Join us for thoughtful insights, lively discussion, and a forward-looking take on what’s next for retail and fashion. 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! | |||
| Season 6 Episode 1: Sewing, Style & Slow Fashion with Christine Lindebak founder of Sewing and the City and Lindy Lindy | 02 Sep 2025 | 01:02:24 | |
In this inspiring episode, we welcome Christine Lindebak – designer, fashion industry veteran, and founder of both the ethical loungewear brand Lindy Lindy and the sewing education platform Sewing in the City. Christine shares how her sewing journey began at just six years old, nurtured by her creative mother and a home filled with inspiration. She reflects on a vibrant career spanning roles at Nordstrom, Escada, Mulberry, Alexis Bittar, and Emilio Pucci, offering candid insights into the stark contrasts between luxury and fast fashion, as well as the unique cultures of retail in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York. Christine opens up about the burnout that led her to step away from corporate life and channel her expertise into entrepreneurship and launching Sewing in the City to provide online classes, YouTube tutorials, and PDF patterns, and later founding Lindy Lindy, a slow fashion brand creating loungewear from vintage linens through small-batch production in Spain. Throughout our conversation, she champions individuality, upcycling, sustainability, and the joy of making clothes that truly fit, sharing how her “Fit Clinics” empower people to feel confident in their own creations. 3 Key Takeaways:
Links & Resources:
Sponsors: Boho Betty: www.boho-betty.co.uk Discount code: BYB10 (offer ends 3rd October) 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 29th August 2025: Thrifted trends, M&S moves, and robot dog deliveries | 30 Aug 2025 | 00:19:31 | |
Welcome to the fifth episode of Retail Reflections! This week, our hosts are joined by Yassin, who brings fresh insights from their work experience and adds a new perspective to the conversation. We kick things off with Pinterest’s new curated thrift shop, a digital-first initiative that puts circular fashion and vintage finds directly into shoppers’ feeds. The team explores how this move reflects the growing appetite for secondhand style, and how platforms like Pinterest are reimagining the resale experience for a generation that wants both sustainability and style at their fingertips. Next up, we dive into Marks & Spencer’s evolving approach to secondhand fashion. From their long-standing “schwopping” scheme to their new partnership with eBay and Reskinned, M&S is finding ways to make sustainable shopping more accessible, appealing, and mainstream. We discuss how collaborations like this could help reshape consumer perceptions of preloved clothing. The conversation then turns to menswear, as M&S launches a dedicated Instagram channel for men’s fashion. With younger male shoppers increasingly style-conscious and engaged online, retailers are recognising the demand for fresh, trend-led menswear content. We look at how this shift is changing the way brands speak to male audiences, and what it means for the future of men’s fashion retail. We also celebrate a milestone moment for the industry with Jo Whitfield’s appointment as the first female chair of the British Retail Consortium. This sparks a wider discussion about women in leadership, the significance of representation at the top, and how the retail sector is (slowly) shifting toward greater inclusivity and diversity in its leadership ranks. From there, the team reacts to Frasers Group’s surprising pivot into leisure and activity spaces with “We Do Play.”Is this a clever diversification strategy or a risky step away from their retail roots? We unpack the thinking behind the move and what it says about the future of lifestyle-driven retail experiences. The episode also takes a candid look at the fast fashion shakeup, with PrettyLittleThing’s recent struggles under the spotlight. With fierce competition from disruptive players like Shein and Temu, and the challenges of refreshing a brand in a rapidly changing market, we discuss what the future may hold for PLT and the wider ultra-fast fashion space. Finally, we wrap things up on a futuristic note with the story of robot dogs being trialled for parcel deliveries in Leeds. From practicalities to public perception, the team shares their thoughts on what this might mean for automation in retail and logistics — and whether we’re ready for four-legged couriers on our streets. As always, expect personal anecdotes, industry insights, and plenty of laughs along the way. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe to Retail Reflections for your weekly dose of retail news, trends, and thoughtful discussion. 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 22nd August 2025 - Comebacks, Collaborations & Controversies | 23 Aug 2025 | 00:22:07 | |
Welcome back to another Friday episode of Retail Reflections! This week, we’re diving into five hot topics that are shaping the retail landscape right now. We kick off with the much-anticipated return of Topshop. After months of build-up, the relaunch has finally landed but does it live up to the nostalgia? We share our honest thoughts on the collection’s design choices, its approach to sustainability, and whether the brand has truly captured the iconic spirit that made it a household name. Next up, we look at JoJo Maman Bébé’s new pre-loved platform in partnership with The Little Loop. This initiative lets customers trade in outgrown children’s clothes for instant credit. We unpack why circular fashion is gaining momentum, and why this collaboration feels like a real win for eco-conscious families. Then, it’s onto Boots, who have just launched their first fragrance-only boutique in London. We discuss what this move means for their place on the high street, how it stacks up against specialist beauty retailers, and the emotional pull of fragrance as a category. We also explore M&S’s £340 million investment into its food supply chain the largest in the retailer’s history as they look to double their food business. From product innovation to plans for airport stores, we debate whether M&S is setting itself apart enough to challenge Waitrose and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive space. Finally, we close with Amazon, which is facing legal action over alleged price inflation and tough vendor agreements. We consider what this means for sellers and consumers. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the topics we cover so keep the feedback coming! And don’t forget to tune in next week for more insights and reflections from the ever-changing world of retail. This week’s top 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 15th August 2025 - Loyalty, Legacy Brands & The Endless Runway | 15 Aug 2025 | 00:20:54 | |
Welcome to another lively Friday morning catch-up! In this discussion, we dive into the latest happenings in the retail world, sharing personal stories, industry insights, and thoughtful opinions. We kick things off with an update on River Island, from there, we take a trip down memory lane with a discussion on tween retail, reflecting on the glory days of Claire’s Accessories in the midst of the sad news about the brands struggles, while considering the fresh strategies legacy brands need to survive today’s competitive, fast-fashion market. The conversation then moves to IKEA’s newly opened Brighton store, with its local cultural touches, sustainability focus, and, of course, the much-loved “Bargain Corner.” We also look ahead to the upcoming Fashion Weeks and the rise of preloved trends, spotlighting eBay’s Endless Runway campaign and the growing influence of circular fashion on mainstream retail. Katy shares her own experience joining ASOS’s World Loyalty Program, and we discuss the growing importance of digital loyalty and community for online-only retailers. We also explore the Marks & Spencer Sparks Parenthood Club, a creative approach to customer engagement that’s helping M&S reinvent its family appeal in kidswear and menswear. We wrap up with Hotel Chocolat’s latest foray into experiential retail, discussing how immersive in-store experiences can deepen customer engagement and boost sales in an increasingly digital-first world. Key takeaways from this week’s chat include:
Tune in for industry news, personal anecdotes, and actionable insights for anyone curious about where retail is heading next. We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories! Drop us a message or share your own retail reflections with us. 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 | 00:14:25 | |
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! | |||
| Retail Reflections 8th August 2025 - Manchester Rising: Retail’s New Hotspot & Industry Shakeups | 09 Aug 2025 | 00:19:03 | |
In this week’s summer series episode, Katy and Lynsey dive into the latest headlines shaping the UK retail landscape. They begin with an update on River Island’s ongoing financial challenges, including a postponed court decision and a critical search for £40 million in funding. The hosts discuss the potential impacts of store closures and rent reductions as part of the retailer’s possible restructuring. Next, they explore Next’s recent acquisition of the maternity brand Seraphine, reflecting on the difficulties faced by employees and the hope that Next can revitalize the brand’s growth and presence in the market. Following that, Katy and Lynsey turn their attention to Primark’s move into standalone homeware stores. They compare this strategy to competitors like H&M Home and B&M, discussing current trends in home and garden retail, the popularity of novelty items, and the importance of accessible price points for consumers. Despite a wave of retail store closures, the hosts remain optimistic. They suggest that some brands may come back stronger after taking a break, highlighting Ted Baker’s recent return to the high street as a positive example. The discussion also touches on the growing importance of experiential retail in engaging customers beyond traditional shopping. The episode then shifts to Zara’s latest flagship store in Manchester, which incorporates new technologies such as automated checkouts and restocking rails. Katy and Lynsey debate the effects of automation on customer service and consider how retailers must offer more than just efficiency to attract shoppers. Manchester’s retail boom is next on the agenda, with new stores from Primark, JD Sports, Nudie Jeans, and others contributing to the city’s vibrant retail scene. Lastly, the hosts celebrate Boden’s expansion into the US market, reflecting on the brand’s evolution and its enduring design ethos. The episode closes with a teaser for next week’s deep dive into Copenhagen Fashion Week, and Katy and Lynsey encourage listeners to share their thoughts and reflections with the show via Instagram or direct messages. 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 1st August 2025 - Experiential retail, brand strategies and AI developments | 03 Aug 2025 | 00:17:34 | |
Welcome! This is the start of our retail reflections, our weekly Friday morning catch up on all that's been going on in retail. While we're taking a break from main podcast this summer, we thought actually, you know what, we chat a lot about everything that's going on in retail and we find it super interesting to hear each other's thoughts on it. So why not share it with the wider world and we would love to hear your views too, on what's going on out there because there's a lot going on! We've got brands closing down, brands coming back, brands taking a new form on either, either it just be online or opening an experience store, the advancement of tehcnology and AI making it's mark on retail, and so much more! These episodes are bitesize 15-20 minutes aimed to bring you upto date with some of the latest topics, to spark ideas and encourage conversation In this weeks episode we discuss - - Experiential retail; health and beauty, home and furniture, and wellness and bakeries - The Topshop return; Who is the store partner in the UK? Who is the customer for the relaunch? - River Island; the sad news of their continued struggles - can they evolve again like the rebrand from Chelsea Girl? - Ted Baker; is it coming back to the high street?! A soft launch online and now hard launching back into bricks & mortar…One of the boldest brands from a print and colour POV - ASOS; premium controversy v. new strategies like ASOS World - Grocery shopping with AI; would you trust a computer to do your food shop? More and more people are learning to live through AI - is it thrive or die? We'd love to know your thoughts - drop us a message or a DM @buyingandbeyond 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! | |||
| S5 E10: Building a career in Buying with Lucy Smith, Senior Buyer for Womenswear and Accessories for Jigsaw | 22 Jul 2025 | 01:07:26 | |
In this episode, we’re joined by Lucy Smith, Senior Buyer for Womenswear and Accessories at Jigsaw. It’s a nostalgic one as we all began our buying careers together on the bags team at Accessorize a real full-circle moment for us ex-Accessorize girls! Lucy walks us through her journey into buying, from her early love of fashion (inspired, of course, by Rachel from Friends lol), to studying Fashion Management and Marketing, and finding her true passion in product development. She shares candid insights from her early days, including a wonky-label incident, a lesson that made her loyal to the guillotine ever since! We chat about the importance of truly immersive work experience, the excitement of seeing your product hit the shop floor, and the diverse learning that comes from moving between categories like bags, beachwear, and footwear. From embellished bags in India to beautiful shoes in Italy, Lucy’s career is a testament to saying yes to opportunities and growing with every challenge. Lucy also opens up about stepping back from the fashion industry post-Covid, recognising burnout, and using that time to reset, travel, do some charity work and even launch her own Etsy shop. Her eventual return to buying via a Zoom interview in Ibiza led her to a brilliant role at Jigsaw, where she now leads her team with empathy, creativity, and experience. 💡 Top 3 Takeaways:
This episode is packed with laughs, honest reflections, and brilliant advice for anyone navigating a buying career. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for your next step. 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! | |||
| S5 Ep9: Secrets to social media success | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:50:47 | |
In this episode, we sit down with Hannah Robb, founder of Han Social, a marketing consultancy dedicated to empowering businesses to connect with their ideal customers and build sustainable growth without burning out. With over 15 years of experience working across major brands like Smirnoff, lastminute.com, and Unilever, Hannah shares her journey into the world of marketing and the insights she's gained along the way. Hannah's career began in PR, working with agencies such as Shandwick, where she handled accounts for brands like Woolworths and Barclays. Her passion for media and communications led her to travel and work in Sydney, where she gained experience in travel PR. Upon returning to the UK, she joined The Pulse Group, working on Smirnoff campaigns. During her time there, she was involved in innovative projects like the Smirnoff Style Bars and collaborations with MTV and Kiss FM, which were groundbreaking at the time. Her subsequent roles at lastminute.com and Unilever further honed her skills in brand experience and customer engagement. These experiences taught her the importance of understanding the customer journey and creating memorable brand interactions. Despite her success in corporate marketing, Hannah felt a calling to help small businesses, particularly female-led well-being brands, navigate the complexities of social media marketing. This led her to establish Han Social, focusing on providing personalized training and coaching to empower businesses to show up authentically and connect with their audience. Through Han Social, Hannah has worked with hundreds of businesses, offering tailored strategies to grow their audience and sales using organic Instagram, without the overwhelm of paid ads. Her approach emphasizes clarity, simplicity, and authenticity, helping businesses build a strong online presence that resonates with their target market. Key Takeaways
For more insights and practical tips on social media marketing, you can contact Han via her instagram @hansocial and Linkedin page Hannah Robb 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! | |||
| S5 Ep8: 'Sprinkling that Merchandising magic' with over 20 years of experience for major UK fashion retailers Anna provides valuable insights into merchandising and business strategy | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:55:55 | |
In this episode, we speak with Anna Youngston, founder of Majury Merchandising and former merchandising professional at Accessorize, about her transition from a long-standing career in retail to establishing her own consultancy. With over 20 years of experience in merchandising across major British fashion retailers, Anna provides valuable insights for professionals in fashion, retail, and business strategy. 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! | |||
| S5 Ep7: Retail doing the right thing - We discuss circularity, re-sale & big shifts ahead with more brands stepping up to do the right thing | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:45:17 | |
In this episode, we dive into the powerful wave of change sweeping across the retail world as more brands step up to do the right thing. From circular business models and resale platforms to thoughtful retail strategies and new legislation pushing fast fashion to rethink its impact we cover it all. Whether you're in the industry or just a curious shopper, this conversation breaks down the big shifts and spotlights brands and retailers that are truly leading by example. Circular Retail Is Booming - Circularity isn't just a buzzword it's becoming a business imperative. Platforms like Vinted are redefining how consumers shop, pushing mainstream retailers to adapt or risk irrelevance. We explore how the resale and reuse economy is reshaping everything. -> The Rise of Rental & Pre-Loved: From renting occasion wear to proudly buying pre-loved pieces, the stigma is gone and the demand is real. We chat about the creative ways brands are building loyalty and sustainability through rental services and secondhand offerings. Think fashion with a conscience. -> Retailers We're Loving Right Now - Shoutout to Positive Retail and The Cirkel and Loved Before brands that are building communities, offering value, and proving that ethical, thoughtful retail can also be stylish and fun. We discuss what sets them apart and why they’re worth keeping an eye on. Retail News Round-Up - -> Jellycat’s Strategy Shift- We discuss Jellycat’s bold move to refine their stockist network choosing to support fewer independent retailers more meaningfully, with better brand experiences in-store. Plus, how the Jellycat Café is bringing the brand to life in playful, immersive ways. Perhaps this new strategy opens the door for another brand to step in and find similar success to Jellycat especially with independent retailers continuing to play a key role in helping emerging brands get discovered by consumers. -> France Takes a Stand on Fast Fashion 🇫🇷- Yes!! France just introduced a new tax targeting fast fashion retailers and we’re here for it! Could this be the start of a global shift toward holding the biggest offenders accountable? We certainly hope so. 💡 Top 3 Takeaways:
✨ Don’t forget to rate, share, and subscribe if this episode inspired you! Tag us with your thoughts we love hearing how you're seeing change in retail too. #RetailRight #SustainableRetail #CircularFashion 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! | |||
| S5 Ep6: Orange and Green should always be seen! We talk with the designers at The Outdoor Edit, a bold new Scottish brand reimagining how we design and enjoy our outdoor spaces. | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:54:09 | |
In this vibrant episode, we sit down with Caitlin and Claire, the designers behind The Outdoor Edit, a bold new Scottish brand reimagining how we design and enjoy our outdoor spaces. With a mission to treat outdoor areas as an extension of the home, The Outdoor Edit brings fresh, trend-led thinking to a market previously dominated by muted tones and safe choices. Their debut range spans everything from parasols and cushions to bistro sets, lighting, and fire pits crafted to work in everything from small balconies to spacious gardens. We dive into their design journey, exploring how inspiration from Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, international design fairs like Salone and Maison, and trend platforms such as WGSN and Pantone helped shape their six curated themes. Each one offers a unique personality from the playful, neon-soaked Moments of Joy inspired by Gen Z’s “kidult” culture, to the rich, elegant hues of Dark Bouquet and the soft, grounding neutrals of Coffee Naturals. The result is a range that invites customers to personalise their outdoor spaces just like they would an interior room. Caitlin and Claire also share how they built the brand from the ground up from mood boards and product design to packaging and the website all with the goal of creating an elevated yet approachable customer experience. And with themes designed to be mixed and matched, there’s flexibility to build a look that’s entirely your own. Top 3 Takeaways:
Whether you’re a seasoned design enthusiast or just looking to refresh your space, this episode is packed with inspiration. Outdoor edit is giving buying and beyond listeners 20% off the range, just use BBEDIT20 at the checkout to redeem. This offer ends on 9th July. 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! | |||
| S5 Ep5: Comp Shop, not Copy Shop! It's essential for staying inspired, spotting trends, and growing creatively in retail | 17 Jun 2025 | 00:53:53 | |
Welcome to another episode of Buying and Beyond! In this episode it's just us! We’re taking a small break from our guest spots, as we dive into the world of Comp Shops, discussing why they’re essential for staying inspired, spotting trends, and growing creatively in retail - not for copying! We break the myth; trendspotting is about inspiration and evolution, not duplication. Our recent comp shop took us to the streets of London, walking down Oxford street to see the latest IKEA takeover of the former Topshop space, which felt rather eerie and strange, however the recent news of the standalone stores for the impending Topshop re-brand was a real pick me up! We talk trends, like the buttermilk yellow and boutique branding in mainstream chains, and highlight some of our standout stores, such as the fairly newish roll out of Sostrene Grene and the rise of M&S’s sell out collections. We also dig into retail news, the shift toward experience-led shopping, and how tech (and even hackers!) are reshaping the industry. With TALAS’s CEO declaring “we're in the hospitality business” we unpack the new expectations for high street retail, it’s more important than ever for bricks and mortar to provide a customer experience, as transactional shopping is the online offer. What is the reason a customer is coming to your store? It needs to be emotive, tangible, show quality and interaction. We are forever more reliant on technology, which has so many positive outcomes, but it also put us at risk of a more robotic future, and less human sociable interaction. On which note, a huge thanks to everyone who attended our first networking event! We share how it went, what we learned, and why community is at the heart of everything we’re building - plus, what’s next as we expand this exciting space for industry connection! 🎧 3 Key Takeaways
If you want to find out more about us see our links below and also how to sign up for our next event! It’s going to be a gooden!! 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! | |||
| S5 Ep4: 'Always striving for what's next!' Rosie Platt, Head of E-commerce & Range, shares how moving retailers can really help you find whats really important to you. From carefully created collections to fast fashion trading floors | 10 Jun 2025 | 01:07:38 | |
Today we’re joined by Rosie Platt, Head of Range & Ecommerce at NOTH. Rosie has a huge amount of retail buying experience working for a wide variety of UK retailers, including Principles, Debenhams, Oasis, Jaeger, River Island, BBC Children in Need and Superdrug. Rosie is a product development buyer at heart, like ourselves. We find out how Rosie got into buying, from taking an online quiz to figure out what she might be interested in, to how she landed her first job at Principles and the journey she’s been on working in very different buying environments. We hear all about the skills she picked up along the way from fast paced high street fashion, high end fashion shows, the charity sector (all those Pudsey bears!) to marketplace buying. This is a huge episode packed with so many different brands, sharing experiences of what is it REALLY like to work for all these large retailers, and also a sneak peak for retail businesses to understand what goes on behind the scenes. Rosie describes behind the scene of working at NOTHS from her 8 years experience of onboarding and coaching small product based businesses. Plus she shares her top tips for small businesses looking to partner, or get stocked in a retailer. We ask; what makes a good pitch? Do you need to send samples? What are the key metrics you should be sharing? This is a must listen episode for any brands wanting some valuable tips on what makes for a great pitch and what market places like NOTH are really looking for. If your a buyer this episode will feel very relatable as we are sure that in Rosies varied career she will touch upon a situation you most likely will of been in and gives her experience and advice on how to get through it. Our takeaways for this episode are: - Take a break when you feel close to burn out, it will reframe your perspective. Sometime a side step move is more in keeping with your values and ultimately your happiness. Note: you don't always have to push yourself onto the next thing. Often these breaks still lead you back to climbing the ladder for promotion, so whats the rush?! - A coaching management style is incredible rewarding - on both sides! It gets the best out of your team by calling out where improvements can be made sharing ways to improve. It might feel a bit uncomfortable at first to get feedback, but it will help your development, and remember it comes from a caring place. - It's so great to see brands moving at a slower pace and being much more conscious of supply chain. Yes there are numbers to hit, and these are essential to stay afloat, but let's re-frame the way we look at the product and the numbers in a more holistic way, to enable long term growth. If Brands have this at the heart of the business, then customers can buy with a clean conscious. We need to lead the way. You heard it first hand from Rosie that by 2030 70% of all sales will be on marketplaces... Are you retail ready? Struggling to get in front of buyers like Roise or structure your business to give it the best possible chance? Sign up for our bootcamp and we can help you with all of this! Find out more on our website: https://www.buyingandbeyond.co.uk/bootcamp 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! | |||
| S5 Ep3: 'The best ideas are organic' Ally Mitchell and Anna Campbell-Jones chat to us about their incredible collaboration ‘Ocean Swallows’ | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:47:33 | |
Today we are joined by Ally Mitchell founder of Ocean Kitchen Scotland a brand that's doing amazing work using recycled plastic found in the ocean. Joining with Ally today is Anna Campbell-Jones, an awarding winning interior design and presenter of Scottish home of the year. Together they are both here to talk about their collaboration of an amazing new swallow wall ornament range. Ally chats to us all about how he started his brand after his career as a commercial diver, diving all over the world and being involved in dives up in scotland where he saw first hand the devastation of plastic contamination in our oceans. He tells us his story on how this inspired him to start a brand that even he didn't anticipate to have such incredible growth in such a short space of time. Anna tells us her story as a interior designer for over 35 years, 7 years a judge on Scottish home of the year and Scottish influencer of the year (interiors and design) 2022-23. Anna began to be approached by brands to promote their products. She thought “why dont i make my own products” so she set out to design her own brand of homewares, all made in Scotland and sustainably. Ally and Anna met whilst speaking at a climate conference in Glasgow, COB 24. They quickly realised they had a lot in common despite one being an North Sea saturation diver who had founded a sustainable pant pot business and the other being a TV presenting interior designer. They met for scones and coffee a couple of weeks later and brainstormed spontaneously from pots to ducks to swallows, deciding to create swallow wall ornaments from Scottish ocean plastic. There was no plan apart from to collaborate and experiment, launching softly on each of their Instagram accounts these little objects, symbols of hope and home, organically became an overnight sensation Hear their story from evolution of the concept of the swallow to the design and production process- even collecting the waste themselves on the beach cleans they regularly do together. This story is incredible inspiring and really highlights the power of storytelling and motivation to make an impact on the planet. Our key takeaways:
Ocean swallows are available on https://luckyswallows.com/ and are now stocked in the V&A Dundee as well as the Edinburgh Royal Botanical gardens You can also contact via their instagrams @ ocean.kitchen.scotland and annacampbelljones 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 | 00:57:04 | |
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! | |||
| S5 Ep2: So, your moving to Denim…. On Monday! Shani shares it all, from Arcadia to Superdry | 27 May 2025 | 00:44:04 | |
Today we’re joined by Shani - Shani has worked for Arcadia, Tesco, Tie Rack and Superdry - all large Uk retailers but with very different buying offices and Shani is here to tell us all about it. It’s a really raw and honest talk about how retail used to be and the stereotypical situations you would hear about in Buying offices. Katy and Shani met at university studying the same Fashion Retail Buying course (20 years ago!) and lived together at their first jobs in London. We dive into the stories of the struggles, dramas and hilarious moments as they entered the world of buying. We talk about why Shani decided to study at De Montfort and her inspiring lectures Helen Dunn and Pippa Clarkson- what a difference it makes when your taught by someone who has come from industry! Shani talks us through her career history as she climbed the ladder from a visual merch role at Topshop right through to a Senior Buyer level at Superdry. We talk about how grateful she was to get that first opportunity at Burton (thanks Jane!) after taking a risk to move to London without a job! Shani’s story is a real rollercoaster ride of different retailers departments and demands, as we hear all about the different buying structures she has worked within, how to manage up & down when you land that first promotion, and how to navigate working for a company that does not have any processes! We hear all about why Shani loved her time in buying from the travelling, the buzz of being able to make some big decision that will make a difference, but most of all the incredible people you meet along the way. They are your tribe, we are all similar in our thinking and determination to succeed with passion and excitement for what we do. Our key takeaways are:
Oh and ALWAYS have biscuits - sign offs, supplier meetings, or toddler tantrums! If your a buyer listening to this and would love to join us for a chat on the podcast, get in touch- we would love to have you on to share your experience with others to inspire and inform anyone looking to join the wild world of retail buying. Drop us a DM via instagram or send us an email hello@buyingandbeyond.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! | |||
| S5 Ep1: We ‘chat’ to the creator of the amazing instagram account ‘Life of a Buyer’ | 20 May 2025 | 00:51:16 | |
We couldn’t be more thrilled to kick off Season 5 with such an incredible guest! It was an absolute privilege to have a conversation with the creator behind the wildly popular Instagram account, Life of a Buyer (LOAB). With over 33,000 engaged followers, this account has become a must-follow for anyone in the industry. If you know, you know! 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! | |||
| S4 Ep10: Collaboration is kindness with inspirational brand owner Becs founder of the Jewellery brand Boho Betty | 19 Mar 2025 | 00:40:15 | |
In today’s episode, we’re joined by the incredibly inspiring Bex, founder of the beautiful family run jewellery business in the heart of Wilkshire Boho Betty. From a doctor to a business owner, Bex has managed to juggle her growing brand while raising four kids under five! Her story is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the power of kindness in business. Boho Betty’s designs focus on making every wearer feel good, affordable luxury stylish pieces resonating with so many people. In fact, their first design remains the bestseller to this day—proof that authenticity and staying true to your vision pays off. From selling bracelets in the playground to being listed on QVC, Bex journey is one of hustle, determination, and heart. One of the most inspiring aspects of Bex story is her kindness project. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Bex and her team gifted bracelets to nurses as a way to show their appreciation. This led to the launch of a community built on kindness, where acts of generosity spread far and wide. Bex shares how her relationship with a very special Lady Nikki, which started through Instagram, sparked the idea of a special necklace in honour of this amazing woman who lost her battle with cancer. With all proceeds going to charity, this piece became a sensation, raising £30k for an incredible cause! In this episode, we dive deep into the philosophy that drives Boho Betty’s success: Kindness is King. Bex is proof that business doesn’t always have to be about the bottom line. It's about collaboration, compassion, and building a community that shares your values. Key Takeaways:
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to stock a beautiful jewellery, this episode will inspire you to think about business in a new way—where kindness and collaboration truly are the foundation of success. Make sure to tune in, and don’t forget to check out Boho Betty’s stunning collection of jewellery. Are you inspired by Bex journey? Let us know in the comments or on social media! Have you experienced the power of kindness in your own business or community? We’d love to hear your stories. You can check out Boho Betty’s beautiful collection visit www.bohobetty.co.uk or follow her on instagram @bohobettyuk If your a brand that struggles with getting that face time with buyers then why not list on our directory. We are building our community of buyers and with our profile set up we know what a retailer is looking for. We can create this profile for you and give you some guidance and advice on your pitching techniques. If you would like to be considered for a spot in our directory then email us @ buyingandbeyond@gmail.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! | |||
| S4 E9 Turning plastic waste into Candyfloss: The Polyfloss Factory co-founder Audrey Gaulard has an incredibly creative mind, which has taken her from haute couture fashion to engineering for the creation of circular economies | 12 Mar 2025 | 00:53:21 | |
Today we are joined by Audrey, one the co- Founders of The Polyfloss Factory. The company's main goal is to reduce plastic waste and to transform it into a valuable and unique new resource by inventing a machine inspired by the principle of candy floss making, to recycle plastic waste. The technology turns plastic waste into fibre that can be used for insulation, packaging, textiles and moulded plastic pieces. We have a huge interest in sustainability as we have discussed in many of our previous episodes, so Audreys business is incredibly fascinating to us. Audrey met her fellow founders on the masters program Innovation Engineering Design course at the Royal College of Arts & Imperial College London and is now a teacher there herself! She initially trained in fashion and has worked as a designer in several companies such as Alexander Mcqueen and Jean Paul Gaultier working in haute couture. Audrey tells us some stories from her time in this world from seeing the beginning of 3D printing and digital embroidery technology, also getting the chance to design and dress Lady Gaga with her innovative and technology led fashion. She gained amazing creative skills and had some incredible experiences but felt this wasn't the career for her, Audrey wanted to design for purpose and to help people. The Polyfloss family was formed after realising the amazing chemistry the four founders had bringing together engineering, material science and industrial design coupled with their curiosity about each other skills led to a great family dynamic with no hidden agendas. Audrey and the team spent years learning all about plastic - she even conducted her own experiments in her kitchen much to her flat mates dismay! For more than 6 years they developed their technology and used it for educational workshops, exhibitions and tests. The team were so determined to get the Polyfloss name out there that at points they even slept in the exhibition space when they couldn't afford a hotel! We ask Audrey how this machine can be applied or used in the retail industry. One of the biggest issues we’ve found as Buyers wanting to work with recyclable materials and more sustainable options. We discuss how retailers need to be making conscious decisions without putting the pressure on the buying team to ‘make up the money’. Audrey tells us all about how the Polyfloss Factory is currently developing a brand new and easy-to use mini Polyfloss machine for Fablabs, R&D centres, associations and anyone wishing to tackle plastic on a small scale. Our takeaways:
This episode is an incredible educational and inspirational listen. Watch this space and find out more about how to work with, support and purchase the machines at https://www.thepolyflossfactory.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! | |||
| S4 Ep8: To fit and flatter - The Founder of Fairlie Curved, Jayne Lasley, is an incredibly inspiring CEO, creating a business that empowers women by providing a solution to a fit size that is missing in the market | 05 Mar 2025 | 00:56:33 | |
To celebrate International women's day we are so excited to be joined by Jayne Lasley founder of clothing brand Fairlie Curved. Fairlie Curved is a brand that is dedicated to helping curvy women, particularly those with fuller busts, feel and look fabulous in stylish garments that fit and flatter their unique shapes. Jayne is an ex New Look and Internacionale Buyer with a very commercial eye. It was vey clear from day 1 that she was going to excel in a fashion retail career - who wants to make a tea towel in home economics? Not Jayne, hot pants are much more fabulous! She joins to tell us her story about how she started this incredible brand using all her skills and knowledge from her fashion buying days. Jayne originally created the idea for Fairlie Curved at university however it wasn't until later during her retail buying career that she made the idea a reality. Jayne found she was often complimented on the way that she dressed, and she set up an account to help other women with small band, big cup figures to dress well for their shapes. She shared tips and advice, such as wearing a chunky necklace to take the focus off the larger bust and balance the shape. It was so well received, and as Jaynes following grew, she knew she wanted to do more for the community she had built. After pulling out her university designs from the loft during the pandemic Jayne decided now was the time to launch her brand. It so clearly filled a gap in the market. A brand for curvy women looking for help to dress for their shape and most importantly, feel good in what they are wearing. Collaboration and feedback is integral to Fairlie Curved, and it is part of the brand ethos to always interact with the community to ensure that the brand remains focused on designing and stocking products that answer to the customers needs. We talk all about Jaynes buying career from the experience she gained at some of the UK’s top high street brands to the contacts she made by supporting suppliers with constructive feedback. Jayne lets us into a few funny stories on her travels around the world and how her buying career has given her the skills and confidence to launch this inspiring brand. Fairlie Curved is a brand that that is already on its way to achieving great recognition. Tops featured on Lorraine and Loose Women, pop ups in Bravissimo the brand has also won awards in particular the business growth award at the Icon business awards. Our take aways:
You can check out the fairlie curved range at www.fairliecurved.com and follow the brand on instagram @fairliecurved 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! | |||
| Season 4 Episode 7: The Better Trends co-founder Louise Healy joins us to discuss how trends can be used for the better and the importance of collaboration in this challenging retail landscape | 26 Feb 2025 | 00:55:49 | |
Today we are joined by co-founder of The Better Trends Company, Louise Healy, here today to talk about her career journey and of course all things trends! The Better Trends Company are a trend and design agency doing better, with focused trend insights and design strategies to fuel creativity and empower confident decisions for SME's. By turning trends into actionable tools, they help you create purposeful products that resonate with your audience. Better trends lead to better products—and brighter futures for your brand, your customers, and the planet. As buyers, trend planning and research is part of the job that we LOVE the most, so we are super excited to talk to Louise today about how she started The Better Trends Company and her career journey to date, that squiggly line that led her to where she is today. After graduating from Central St Martins, Louise started out as a stylist and art director creating editorials for Vogue, GQ and Harpers Bazaar and has worked for global brands such as Samsung, Chanel, Google and Ikea. Louise tells us how she met her co-founder Natalie and the inspiration behind starting The Better Trends Company We discuss how important it is that trends are used for the better, to connect with your customer and not to drive unwanted product ranges. Louise talks about how the The Better Trends Collective membership is creating a community of collaboration which is key for retail survival. We also chat through some valuable trend round ups from the latest catwalk shows as Louise talks us through what trends she’s been seeing coming through and the brand/designers she is admiring right now. Our key takeaways: 1) Investing in trend information is incredible valuable for your brand DNA - giving confidence, alignment with brand and reducing markdown 2) Trends don't exist without people, real trends form through behaviours and attitudes, pay attention to the big picture over fads! 3) Trust the journey you are on, your experiences will help inform your thinking and approach and that is your individual superpower For more information on The Better Trends Co. membership or how to work with Louise and Natalie head to www.the better trends company.com or email them directly on hello@thebettertrendscompany.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! | |||
| Season 4 Episode 6: Taking leaps of faith with Ex Schuh, Dune, M&S, Dobbies Buyer turned brand owner and podcaster Claire Gray | 19 Feb 2025 | 00:38:39 | |
Today we are speaking to Claire Gray founder of the amazing skin care brand Ermana Natural skin care and fellow podcaster, for the 'Skin and Within' podcast! Claire is also an ex buyer. Claire will be telling us all about her journey through retail and onto her most recent ventures. Claire and Lynsey first meet briefly at Marks and Spencers and then again at Dobbies garden centres - retail really is a small world! We discuss the similarities of our highs and lows in retail, giving insight into some of the challenges we have faced and what we have all learned from it. Plus we talk about our view on the high street now and what our predictions for the future are. Claire’s story is super interesting, she is such an inspiration to all wanting to start a brand based on your own personal health journey. Make sure to also check out her Podcast 'Skin and Within' also available on apple podcasts. Our key takeaways:
If you don't have a buying background but have a idea that you have been wanting to get off the ground for years, we've helped clients to do just this! Drop us a message and we can book you in for a power hour to help you get your idea from paper to production! 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! | |||
| Season 4 Episode 5: Buyers of the Future. Ex M&S, BHS, White Company and QVC Buyer Sarah Hansford talks to us about her buying journey and how rewarding it is to be teaching “buyers of the future” at the Fashion Retail Academy | 12 Feb 2025 | 00:40:25 | |
Today we are joined by the lovely Sarah Hansford, a buying professional with many hats! Sarah has been in the buying world for over 20 years and worked for lots of different retailers. She’s a fellow ex M&S buyer and most recently is doing some amazing work teaching and inspiring at the Fashion Retail Academy. From the M&S grad scheme to working across multiple big high street names, such as, BHS, The White Company and QVC to name a few, plus working suppliers side Sarah’s journey is incredibly varied and interesting. Sarah talks about what inspired her to get into buying and how she progressed through the ranks. We talk how much she loved working at M&S and how nice it is to see how well it's doing. Her favorite product category (fashion accessories) and what a buzz you get when launching a successful range. We discuss how much she loves working supply side and how much you get to understand the manufacturing process from the other side! We talk about some of the perks Sarah has had in different roles including a one spa treatment a month! Sarah spills the tea on some hilarious moments and stories with certain buying teams she's worked in. Those devil wears prada moments and also how fun it was to work for brands like QVC with live trading. Her passion and knowledge for the industry really shines through! We talk about her proudest moments working with the Fashion Retail Academy and how rewarding it is to be educating and inspiring our new buyers of the Future. Sarah tells all about the amazing new courses and opportunities there are at the FRA and how much she gets out of teaching and learning from the new generation! Our key takeaways:
If you're thinking about a career in buying then reach out to Sarah on linkedin she's happy to chat and help with any questions you have. You can also check out the FRA website https://www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk/ Alternatively if your a buyer in industry and can relate to all these stories please do get in touch we would love to have you on the podcast! 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! | |||
| Season 4 Episode 4: Get retail ready as this week we talk about Buyers AND Brands. What are our top tips for connecting with the Buyers you need to get in front of in order to get your product stocked in a retailer | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:34:12 | |
Today we discuss the importance of trade shows for Buyers and for brands to connect. We give you the insight into our favourite things about a trade show, trend spotting and helping the evolution of a brand. Plus we debate the pros and cons to be stocked in a large retailer, pitch tips and how to nurture that long term partnership. What do we as Buyers look for in a brand to list them and some of our favourite ways of being approached... Then, how should Brands follow up after a trade show? Are there any 'rules' to follow or is it all down to individual Buyers likes & dislikes? We discuss a typical buyers view, and give our tips and advice to make sure you get the best response. For example, do not send long emails, make sure you include something unique and memorable, possibly a personal message that mentions something specific you have discussed on the stand and think about timings i.e. within a week, bear in mind sign off dates. We want to join buyers and brands together and we feel we have an opportunity with this podcast to do this. In such turbulent times we need to be more collaborative as its becoming harder than ever to win over the trust of a buyer as a new supplier. There is a huge amount of risk and let's face it, the hard work it takes to bring in a new brand, the cost of time and money for investing in all of the onboarding. Our three takeaways:
If your a brand that's struggling with your pitching techniques and how to get that first meeting with your dream retailer, check out our webinar on our website www.buyingandbeyond.com. We talk you through tips to get stocked in a large retailer. We also offer power hours where you can chat to us 121 and we can help you with those questions you have to perfect your pitch an get you retail ready. 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! | |||
| Season 4 Episode 3: A full circle moment. Ex NEXT Buyer and founder of Mardy Bum Active Club Anna joins us to tell us her incredible and emotional story of how events in life have taken her from Fashion Retail Buying to Founder of an activewear brand. | 29 Jan 2025 | 00:51:54 | |
Anna joins us to tell us her incredible and emotional story of how events in life have taken her from Fashion Retail Buying to Founder of an activewear brand. Anna loved her job as a Retail Buyer but events outside of her control ended her career. Her passion for fashion, buying and retail shines through in this episode, as well as her determination to turn every moment into a positive. There is an amazing full circle moment from her dissertation to the ethos of her brand now. Mardy Bum is a feel good brand, put comfort first and encourages positivity. Anna has made a conscious decision to ensure all of her products are sustainable, and believes these are non-negotiables that should be part of every retailers core. Organic growth, quality over quantity - it might be cost a bit more but she’s doing it the right way. *please be aware this episode has a emotional story involving an accident which may be triggering for some. This is such an incredible story that it is hard to find fjust 3 takeaways as there are so many, but here we go:
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 | 00:17:27 | |
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! | |||
| Season 4 Episode 2: Retail resolutions & revolutions. What is the future of Retail? Are we really on the ‘cusp of the most dramatic transformation yet?' We talk about our new year's resolutions and a new industrial revolution. | 22 Jan 2025 | 00:38:45 | |
We are feeling so excited for 2025 and all the exciting projects we have in the pipeline. Ready to leave 2024 behind and bring through positive energy from such a great year to build on our foundations and grow into the business we want to be. Starting the year a fresh, goal setting and talking about what’s in store for retail… There is still uncertainty on the high street and a budget that threatens to strangle, yet some brands are turning themselves around, focusing in on a customer base and nailing some brilliant marketing campaigns. There are now so many different ways for brands to exist, whether it’s through social media, trade fairs or even wholesale platforms like Creoate and Faire. We discuss the Forbes article Game changing trends that will define 2025 and impacts of AI, sustainability credentials, visibility of supply chain, price is still a barrier, pre loved revolution and social shopping -
Here are our takeaways from this episode:
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! | |||
| Season 4 Episode 1: Trading in Jan- Help! Sometimes it need a miracle in January to turn the sales around. We talk top tips and the drama that goes on behind the scenes. | 15 Jan 2025 | 00:31:12 | |
This week we are easing ourselves into the new year with a good goss to start… We are catching up and chatting about skiing, impractical ski wear, sportswear brands, practical dressing v. fashion and a great first gift from a boyfriend… Then we get into the serious stuff (well, you know us, it’s serious with a many a laugh!) and we talk about January trading, classic fitness DVDs, water bottles, quick win trading brainstorm, stock buys to take when the only products left are the products that didn't sell…do you take a punt?! Baubles or Reindeers in January anyone?! If so, an execution plan is essential to communication to stores and customers! Here's our top 3 points from today's episode:
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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 10: Let's talk Christmas - what's it like buying, trading and promoting Christmas products | 20 Nov 2024 | 00:42:29 | |
Here we are our final episode for Season 3, ending with a Christmas special :) We’ve both bought Christmas for over 7 years and it was one of our favourite areas to buy, it can be so much fun! We talk favourite themes, development trips, sample mishaps and what happens in a Christmas sign off- the one everyone in the company wants to be at! We are now signing off for Christmas and wish all our listeners and lovely break and a Merry Christmas. See you in the new year when we will be back for season 4!
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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 9: The Buyers Coach Levanah Gates shares her journey from Buyer to Life Coach and how her insight into the industry helps to support fellow Buyers | 13 Nov 2024 | 00:37:52 | |
This week are joined by Levanah Gates, The Buyers Coach. Levanah started working in retail buying at a similar time to us, she’s worked at a large number of high street retailers and has seen it all! She joins us to tell us her story, from starting out in the industry, almost working in trend forecasting, to making the transition from buying manager to life coach. The 3 top points from today's episode are
Find Levannah at https://levanahgatescoaching.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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 8: Finding the balance between work and personal life; how to manage your stress levels and not lead to burnout. | 06 Nov 2024 | 00:40:39 | |
Today’s episode has been on a quite an intense subject, but one that we’ve had quite a few requests for us to discuss - so we hope we did it justice!
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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 7: One of our trauma friends joins us to reminisce our time as Buying Assistants, tells us why working in Buying has set the scene for the rest of her career and how transferable Buying skills are for any job | 30 Oct 2024 | 00:43:44 | |
In Episode 7 we chat with one of our OGs, a very special trauma friend! We all started Buying as BAAs, and wow it was a wild time. We recount some of the ridiculous and hilarious memories of the Buying office - working on the hats, gloves and scarves team when you’re allergic to wool, the crazy fads we tried out, being very young and impressionable, wanting to be cool and raising our profile - plus a very sad story of a promotion that was taken away. Calli tells us why working in Buying has set the scene for the rest of her career with the many transferable skills she learnt during her time in Buying, and we discuss what it’s like working in a 90% female based office, the good the bad and how we think it should be! Some of the key takeaways from this episode are:
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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 6: How to feel confident leaving a job and taking on a new role | 22 Oct 2024 | 00:31:55 | |
This weeks episode aims to give you that confidence boost you need to leave your job and reassurance if you've just made the leap to a new company. It can be quite a daunting prospect moving on, especially if it's your first job or if you're enjoying where you work but cant see the next step internally. Sometimes you just have to move on. Often you'll find you'll go from feeling super confident in your role, to feeling really out of your depth in a new place. Many companies are same same but different; most of the processes will be similar but be slightly different order, or ways of documenting, or words to describe the same things! It can be exciting and scary, an opportunity to prove to yourself that you know more than you think you know, or even a change to re-invent yourself! So have a listen and hopefully you'll find our discussion supportive and empowering.
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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 5: The importance of product PR to boost your business with PR expert Laura Quick, founder of LQPR | 15 Oct 2024 | 00:41:48 | |
Today we are talking to PR expert Laura Quick founder at LQPR. Lynsey has worked with Laura many times and know her to be the most enthusiastic, inspiring confident PR guru. Laura joins us to talk about the wonderful world of PR. We discuss the definition of PR, and Laura takes us through her career history including how she got started and life as a freelancer. This episode takes a trip down memory lane including those much loved press shows and the importance of building relationships with the commercial team- we are in this together with the same goal of driving profit! But remember, it's PR not ER!
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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 4: The reality of retail. We look back at the golden years, the pandemic & the golden quarter! | 08 Oct 2024 | 00:36:20 | |
This episode is all about the reality check when talking about retail! We talk about how much retail has changed over the past decade or so and the impact of the pandemic - it was HUGE! It's not something we really want to remind us all about, but it's important not to forget about it and to recognise the importance it had, it was a massive moment in our careers, completely unpressedented times! Here’s our top 3 takeaways from this episode -
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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 3: Trends and Trade Shows. We discuss how trade shows have evolved and report on some key trends we are loving for SS25! | 02 Oct 2024 | 00:45:20 | |
September is the season for trade shows, fashion weeks, and new stock in the stores, so this week we talk all about how trade shows have changed and evolved, new trends for AW24 we're loving from our shop walks, and the styles we've loved from the New York, London, Paris & Milan shows - it'll be SS25 before we know it and we cant wait to see which trends from these shows will filter through to the high street next Spring/Summer! 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 | 00:59:04 | |
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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 2: What exactly is Merchandising? Our fave merchie joins to tell us all about it! We discuss how important a buyer/merch relationship is to the success of the department. | 24 Sep 2024 | 00:37:41 | |
In our second episode of season 3 we have our first merchandiser on the show. As we discussed in episode 1, merchandisers are our partners in crime at most traditional retailers. The Buying & Merchandising department is made up of teams that mirror each other at most levels and share the responsibility of the product category ranges - although let's face it, it’s always the Buyer that's really in the firing line! So in this episode we chat with Nat, one of our favourite (if not the favourite) merchandisers of all time, about what exactly is merchandising, how did she get into the industry (following a stint on tv!), highlights of her career to date, her thoughts on how buyers and merchandisers work best together, and of course some retail therapy! Here are Nat’s 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! | |||
| Season 3 Episode 1: All roads lead to a Buyer. A buyer is at the heart of every company. We discuss how to manage all those internal department relationships. | 18 Sep 2024 | 00:34:13 | |
A Buyer is so central to a company, there are so many relationships you need to build for successful sales, and the customer is at the heart of everything - everyone's responsibility in a company is to focus on making it the best experience for a customer, whether that be price, stock levels, design, quality, placement, POS, service…
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! | |||
| Season 2 Episode 10: Signing off for summer. Thats a wrap on season 2, we talk about all the summer trends we have seen and whats in store for season 3! | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:52:38 | |
So that brings us to the end of our episode, and the end of Season 2! We hope you’ve enjoyed listening to this season as much as we have enjoyed recording it, we’ve tried to keep our episodes to max 30 mins, but with so much to talk about it can be hard to keep to that time frame, we just get carried away, run off on tangents, and the topics are just so big it can be hard to limit ourselves - we’re just bursting with chat! We should have ourselves a strict CP for our recordings in true retail buying fashion! Hahaha. But hopefully you like our assortment of topics, and extra bonus content! We’d love to hear from you, particularly topics you’d like to hear about, we’ve had a few DMs with some ideas shared which we are already thinking about for our Season 3, so feel free to drop us more! We’re so excited about what the September season is going to bring, and can't wait to share what we have been working on with you all - and as buyers we all know, feedback is a gift, so please please do let us know what you think! And thats us signing off for summer - follow us on Insta for content that hopefully helps to fill your cup when those sunny sales suffer (or stormy, its the UK, who knows what sort of weather we’ll be having through these school holidays..!!), lets support each other though awful augusts and not battle to beat each other down with promo after promo and racing our prices to the bottom… Looking forward to the start of september, trade shows, catwalks, new season wardrobes and into that golden quarter… *Kefir is a fermented milk drink similar to a thin yogurt or ayran that is made from kefir grains, a specific type of mesophilic symbiotic culture. 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! | |||
| Season 2 Episode 9: Sustainability. The impact of retail on the world is huge so we talk about companies doing good, the greenwashing and why we feel strongly about quality over quantity, | 16 Jul 2024 | 00:40:13 | |
This is a topic we are both incredible passionate about, in this episode we discuss what does sustainability actually mean, how are certain retailers getting behind it. The greenwashing effect and our thoughts on some brands that are making some great changes in how we think about where our products come from. Quality vs cost and the new emerging rental market. Here are our most passionate points summarised -
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! | |||