Fundamentals for Succesful and Sustainable Fashion Buying and Merchandising

FUNDAMENTALS FOR SUCCESSFUL AND SUSTAINABLE FASHION BUYING AND MERCHANDISING The book outlines the fundamental principles and mechanisms that are applied in fashion retailing and illustrates as to how the major tasks and roles intertwine from the conceptualisation of the product through to the presentation of a finished garment to the customer and in doing so demonstrates how the key functions such as design, buying, merchandising, technology, production, logistics and selling each with their unique specialised operations manage to achieve this. Strategy formulation and operational activities of all major stakeholders in the organisational hierarchy are outlined in detail. Topics that enjoy extensive coverage are the mathematics of retail, financial intake and location planning as well as the development of buying range assortments, visual merchandising as well as in and post season analysis and review of sales performance and stock management. Technology aspects focus on the construction of fabrics, garment technology, supplier sourcing and compliance audits which link into the production processes, product critical path management, negotiating, costing models, packaging and supplier performance management as well as the use of ordering and allocation options available. Logistical subjects entail warehousing, distribution and transport methodologies. The manuscript will be particularly beneficial to students and those who are maybe considering a career in the industry. Individuals who are already part of the fashion buying and merchandising community will find this book to be invaluable in that it provides a complete simplified overview of all the integral activities and roles that go to make up the topic and thereby will provide a broader insight into their own career.