BA (HONS) BUYING & MERCHANDISING  BA (HONS) BUYING & MERCHANDISING Fashion Retail Academy ../webroot/files/QualificationSubSubjectAreas/cover_photo/1546416316Fashion-Design.jpg

During this condensed two year course you will study the following modules:

CULTURAL AND CONTEXTUAL STUDIES

The history of fashion including geographic locality, technology, sustainability, societal and cultural influences.  You will look at the rise and impact of technology, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, all of which affect fashion at a strategic and operational level.

MERCHANDISING CONCEPTS

Through the module, you will develop an understanding of the Merchandising function and relevant strategies deployed in contemporary retail as well as the external factors and trends which impact upon the role.

You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the broad operational concepts required of fashion retail merchandisers through supply chain management including the analytical and external considerations required of the role.

Linking to other modules within the course, your appreciation of different retailer types and the importance of the customer in relation to this will be implicit throughout.

The module will develop your understanding of:

• the fashion retail merchandiser’s function.
• the principles of planning and trading.
• the importance of data and analytics
• the differentials of online and offline
• external factors globally and their impact on merchandising.
• merchandising terminology, e.g. cover, ROS, cloth composition, Kimball reference.
• Buying and merchandising reports and their effective use

BUYING CONCEPTS

In this module you will gain a deep understanding of the emerging global fashion market, investigate changes in sourcing, the factors influencing those changes and the effects it has on global manufacturing. You will examine the supply chain and effective ways of managing it, how to source agents, suppliers and manufacturers and understand the complexity of cultural differences in business practise, pulling together multiple elements from other modules, contextualised for the buying role.

Additionally you will look at the range of ethical, environment, political and legal contexts, as well as current affairs, which sourcing managers and buyers operate, and the affects upon the logistics and distribution management of the supply chain.

TRADING

Like any large businesses, fashion buyers have to think globally in order to supply to a cross section of international shoppers whom they can now serve directly. Modern consumers do not have to travel to the high street, let alone abroad, to find the top brands, as multinational labels have blanketed the world with boutiques and now look online.

Fashion trading is a key driving force within the fashion industry, in explore how to maximise the commercial performance of any group of categories using Web Analytics data on Traffic, Conversion and Order Value and explore goods, what drives insights, actions and makes measurable improvements to a fashion oraganisation

SOURCING AND SUPPLY CHAIN

This module will explore the complexities and nuances of sourcing and supply chain in a truly global sense. A demand for ‘newness now’ and increasingly squeezed margins for fashion retailers make this aspect critically important.

Examination of  sourcing and supply chain management includes:

• role of key suppliers
• evaluating supplier performance
• manufacturing processes and cost opportunities
• commerciality of products
• managing the buying and merchandising process
• importing procedures
• delivery margin
• mark up, mark down and promotional activities
• reviewing retailer performance and future strategies
• developing the tactics and skills of persuasion, influence and negotiation including: problem analysis, preparation, active listening, emotional control, verbal communication, collaboration, problem solving, decision making and interpersonal skills
• analysing and understanding negotiation

MERCHANDISING FOR FASHION RETAIL

This module will develop a practical and detailed understanding of fashion merchandising and the influence of merchandise planning and trading on retail profit. The module will develop a greater understanding of the essential interaction between the merchandiser and other head office roles in a modern, globalised retail environment. You will gain a working insight into different merchandising environments and merchandising for different types of fashion business whether online, Omni-element, high street, brand, concessions, multichannel and wholesale both in the UK and globally.

Students will practically demonstrate an industry level ability in merchandising through live projects and work placements.

BUYNG FOR FASHION RETAIL

In this module you will develop a practical and detailed understanding of fashion buying and the influence of planning and purchasing on retail profit. The module has been developed to ensure a greater understanding of the essential interaction between the buyer and other head office roles in a modern, globalised retail environment. You will gain a working insight into different buying environments and merchandising for different types of fashion business whether online, high street, brand, concessions, multichannel and wholesale both in the UK and globally.

Fundamentally, your understanding of the day to day activities within the buying function will be secured and you will be able to understand the garment lifecycle from concept to consumer. Through live projects and work placements, you will practically demonstrate an industry level ability in buying.

CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR

Incorporating retail trends, consumer behaviour looks at cultural, social, personal and economical behaviours that drive consumers to purchase, and what causes those consumers to develop product and brand preferences, to enable the successful development of a targeted, personalised marketing strategy within retail to appeal to the relevant target audience.  This module also includes the impact of digital and technological advances on conversion rate optimisation.

FASHION RETAIL LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT

Understand the many layers that comprise the retail environment including commercial, cultural, technological and anthropocentric factors.  Look at rapid changes in the virtual world that have created an increased demand for online interaction, forcing the physical retail space to undergo substantial changes to evolve as more than just a shop.

PROFESSIONAL STRATEGIES

Develop a deeper awareness of self-positioning in the fashion industry through reflective practice for professionals including CV and LinkedIn writing workshops, support for business start-up funding and the development of a range of self-promotional material including websites, online portfolios and interview skills.  Industry employers will share advice and guidance on how to contact relevant people and how to attract business funding whilst maintaining entrepreneurship and innovation.

INTERNALISATION AND GLOBALISATION

This module includes the diversity, complexity and vibrancy of the international business landscape for fashion business.  Understand the opposing advantages of presenting a consistent brand globally whilst maintaining a tailored, operational approach at local level.  It provides a deep knowledge of how to manage a single brand in many different ways and the repercussions this has on marketing, distribution, advertising, store layout and visual merchandising.  It also highlights the costs and risks associated using scenario-based planning.

DATA AND ANALYTICS IN A BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Look at business analytics and statistical analysis to support an evidence based approach to management decision making.  Different stages of the analytics process are examined using case studies and practical applications.  From loyalty schemes, social media and ecommerce, retailers have increasing access to an abundance of rich data on customer behaviour and business costs.  Learn how to leverage that information to interpret the results and present recommendations for business objectives and sales to stakeholders.