Spring 10 Buying Season

I am coming to the end of fixed contract period with a UK based brand, which I joined after working as the Merchandise Director of a well known American brand.

29 July 2009

I have been looking for a new role for a couple of months now and in menswear the role in wholesale just doesn’t seem to be there. How viable is a move to retail on a similar level to what I had before (wholesale merchandising / brand development)?

Do you predict that brands will begin offering better margins than the widely accepted 2.5 points?

29 July 2009

I am in the process of setting up an online website focusing on selling designer menswear. I am finding it quite difficult to find contacts of suppliers. Where would I find these?

29 July 2009

Also what are the major calender dates for menswear in the year?

I am a one man band and previously hold my photoshoots all before the season starts -

23 July 2009

but If I do short orders/inseason buying, I will need to get everything I buy photographed and uploaded more frequently – Do you think I am putting myself under too much pressure for a web based company?

Where and when is the best place to shop for inspiration for SS10 Jersey and Prints??

22 July 2009

I am going to realise my childhood dream of owning a beautiful ladies wear boutique in readiness for AW10.

21 July 2009

I have a long list of labels that would fit my concept but am finding it difficult to know how to contact them through their UK agents . Where do i start and , in an up market independent outlet with c. 1000 sq ft of selling space , how many labels should I aim for ? 

***UPDATED*** When is the recession going to end and will my suit sales ever go back to what they were?

17 July 2009

I am a small boutique owner and struggle keeping up with payment plans. What advice would you give to anyone in my position to help them stretch their payment plans as much as possible?

15 July 2009

How do we negotiate better discounts from suppliers and how would you advise me to begin negotiations?

15 July 2009

Have you reduced your budgets for SS10? Or have you increased them, hoping for the green shoots of economic recovery next year?

14 July 2009

Why the need for minimum buys? How outdated a concept is this in the face of the current downturn?

13 July 2009

***UPDATED*** What proportion (%) of my buying budget should I be hanging onto for in-season trend-reactive purchases?

6 July 2009

***UPDATED***I want to begin buying into phased collections. How would you advise me to stagger my seasonal buying budget between the four main delivery phases?

6 July 2009

***UPDATED*** How do we negotiate better discounts from suppliers and how would you advise me to begin negotiations?

6 July 2009