Fashion Buying and Merchandising by Boardman, Rosy; Parker-Strak, Rachel; Henninger, Claudia E.;

Short description:

This textbook is a comprehensive guide to fashion buying and merchandising, covering fast fashion, environmental sustainability, ethical issues, omnichannel retailing, and computer-aided 3D design. 

Long description:

This textbook is a comprehensive guide to fashion buying and merchandising, covering fast fashion, environmental sustainability, ethical issues, omnichannel retailing, and computer-aided 3D design. It presents a contemporary buying cycle that reflects key industry realities, with detailed explanations of fashion product development, trend translation, and sourcing.

Fully updated, this second edition expands its sustainability focus, underscoring the crucial role of ethical practices and responsible sourcing and production. It examines global consumers, markets, and networks, providing a thorough understanding of how international trends and cross-cultural influences shape buying decisions. Financial drivers of the industry are analysed in depth; from budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management to profitability, it offers essential insight into fashion retail's financial foundations. Digital approaches are embedded throughout, demonstrating how technology and data analytics have transformed merchandising. From online retail strategies to AI in trend forecasting, this book equips readers with skills needed for digitally driven markets. Voice of Industry case studies deliver real-world perspectives and practical applications of contemporary theories, supported by chapter objectives and summaries to shape learning.

This book is ideal for fashion buying and merchandising students, particularly advanced undergraduate and postgraduate fashion business students. It is also valuable for academics and practitioners seeking deeper industry understanding. Online supplementary resources include PowerPoint lecture slides and a test bank.

“Fashion Buying and Merchandising is a detailed and structured book that gives an up-to-date insight into fashion buying and merchandising and to the changing factors that are impacting the industry. It covers the whole buying cycle with detailed explanations of practices and challenges with relevant information including fast fashion, sustainability and ethics, and new technologies. An ideal textbook for any fashion student.”

Annette Clarke, Birmingham City University, UK.

“This text offers a very comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to preparing students for success in the dynamic world of fashion buying and merchandising, exploring traditional processes alongside digital advancements to help students understand profitability and strategic decision making in the field.”

Zoe Hinton, London College of Fashion, UK.

Table of Contents:

1. Roles and Responsibilities of Fashion Buyers and Merchandisers 2. The Fashion Buying Cycle and Critical Path 3. Range Review 4. Consumer Research 5. Brand Identity, Market Research, and Trend Forecasting 6. Range Planning 7. Range Development 8. Sourcing and Buyer–Supplier Negotiation 9. Financial Planning, Pricing, and Profitability for Fashion Buying and Merchandising 10. Range Finalisation 11. Garment Manufacturing and the Fashion Supply Chain 12. Allocation and Distribution 13. Monitoring Retail Sales 14. Environmental Sustainability in Buying and Merchandising 15. Future Priorities for Fashion Buyers and Merchandisers