Fashion Buying and Merchandising
The Buyer's Eye: choose what looks right, then judge whether it will sell.
Before a product reaches the shop, be clear about why you buy it, how much, and when. Two hours walk through each step from judging a piece to placing the order, with every judgement worked through a case.
Every piece looks right on its own, but the range does not hold together? Answer "why buy" first, and you will know where the piece sits in the whole range.
Four decisions
Judge the piece, build the range, decide the order, and control the risk, in that sequence. Each decision maps to one module, 120 minutes in total.
Who it is for
- Fashion buyers and purchasing staff: who need to build reasons for each selection, and discuss with the team what to buy and how much.
- Selected-store operators and product planners: who want a more complete range and fewer gut-feel orders.
- Brand managers and designers: who want to understand how buyers assess products and market fit.
Before you join
Please bring:
- Your current product list, or the season's buying plan
- Sales or stock data for at least one category, if available
What you take away
| Outcome |
|---|
| A check sequence for judging pieces |
| A method for judging range balance |
| Risk awareness before ordering |
| A selection judgement sheet |
Course outline
| Unit | Time | What you will do |
|---|---|---|
| Who will buy this garment? | 25 min | Read the cut, material and detailing, and test them against where customers wear it, what they need and what they will pay. Focus: separate personal taste from customer demand. |
| Beyond a single piece, how does the whole range work? | 30 min | Understand hero and image pieces, and check whether categories, colours, sizes and price points are complete. Focus: make products work together without repeating purchases. |
| Should you order a piece you love? | 25 min | Build a check sequence from look to order, based on customer fit, product value, selling price and pairing potential. Focus: state clearly why you buy and why you pass. |
| How much to buy, and where is the risk? | 25 min | Review purchase cost, margin, lead time and stock, and understand when to test-order, reorder or adjust quantities. Focus: identify what must be confirmed before placing an order. |
| Q&A | 15 min | Case questions and feedback. |
Instructor | ArsRes Faculty
Taught by the ArsRes faculty, with case analysis and selection judgement at the core. View the full faculty: Faculty
After the course
- A selection judgement sheet, applied to your next buying meeting
- A case review, discussing judgements with fellow participants
FAQ
What do I need to bring?
See "Before you join".
Is it a lecture or practice?
Mainly case analysis. Each module includes judgement exercises, and you complete the selection judgement sheet on the case in class.
Can I join if I am not a fashion buyer?
Yes. Selected-store operators, product planners, brand managers and designers can take part using the same method.
When is the next intake, where is it held, and what does it cost?
Dates, venue and fees will be announced with the next intake. Join the waitlist and you will hear first.
Organised by ARSRES PTE. LTD.