In my most recent roles I've challenged companies to thinkdifferently about their brand perception, and reviewtraditional ways of working internally and with Suppliers. Retail needs to evolve with the changes in society's mindset.Those who don't react lose touch with their customer. Next gave me opportunity to work on every product categorywith my longest buying placement on dresses! I loved this asyou can do a bit of everything for every woman. IntroducingKley at Debenhams in 2019 was a great achievement.Attracting new customers to Debenhams as well asbroadening the product offer for existing ones with elevated,effortless , timeless style with beautifully made and ethicallysourced pieces made with sustainable materials.

Know your customer. You need to know all aspects oftheir life to be able to pre-empt what they want. Thesedays we can no longer too much on sales history topredict sales. Loving clothes and fashion is a given.Buyers are like Fashion Economists you have keep on topof whats going on in the world as it all affects how peoplespend. Buying is a lifestyle career.Good buyers never switch off you are constantly peoplewatching and checking out whats in the stores, rangebuilding in your head. Multi tasking and organisation is essential. There is noright way to do this. Find a way to works for you andyour team. Be on top of what needs to be done, prioritiseand empower your team. At the end of the day if itdoesn't contribute to putting money in the till it can wait.Respect everyone, be fair and be open to learn. The moreyou know about what happens behind the scenes, themore effective your negotiations and decision making willbe. Be open to change and be flexible. Don't fake it. Ifyou don't know ask. People respect honesty. No one hastime for a smart ass! Finally- you have to love it!!! its hardwork, demanding, and not always glamorous but its sorewarding when you can see real people wearing productyou created.

F A S H I O N P E R S O N N E L B R I N G S Y O U . . .

A D A Y I N T H E L I F E O F . . . A B U Y I N G M A N A G E R

Nadia Lewis Buying Manager/Designer for Brands at Debenhams including Star byJulien Macdonald and KLEY Head of Womenswear Buying at BHS International UK ltdSenior Buyer Arcadia Group, Marks & Spencers, Next

Q1What would your typical week looklike as a Buying Manager?

Buyers are literally real life time travellers. Reviewing andacting on current trading figures and planning future rangesand reflecting on lessons learnt from last year. Buyers have tobe able to move through all three on a daily basis. A typicalday can start with checking in with the design team working onnew trends, ensuring best sellers are covered and the newdesigns are delivered in a commercial way. Daily updates withSuppliers on current orders, and projections for new ones. Strategy meetings with buyers, planning marketing campaigns,store visits all in between juggling product sign off meetings. While managing the day to day running of the department notwo days are the same. What is always constant is that thecustomer has to be at the centre of every decision and processthrough the week.

Q2What has been one of your biggesthighlight/achievement in yourcareer so far?

Q3What is your top tip for anyonewanting a career in Buying?

Q4 If you could have chosen adifferent career what would ithave been?

I always say it must be amazing to be a food and wineBuyer! I'd love to work in the music and entertainmentindustry.

Q5 If you have £500 pounds whatwould you buy and where from?

Recently I've found new ways to update what I have,and new emerging independent brands. My favourites atthe moment is the_Mie, amazing linen and cottondresses! and Sincerely Tommy - amazing contemporaryclothes and accessories with a few home decor gemsthrown in for good measure.

I always wanted to buy abrand that I wanted to wearas I always say "if I cantwear it, I cant sell it'!"As a Black West IndianWoman, there aren't many inthe business at my level wholook like me, and its been aconstant challenge tohighlight the importance ofdiversity in imagery used byBritish retailers to trulyreflect what the UK actuallylooks like. I' m proud I havebeen able to contribute insome way to this atDebenhams.

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