How Retail Works: Buying, Planning & Store Management
 

A complete guide to buying, merchandising, planning, store design and retail analytics
What you'll learn
Calculate and manage Open-to-Buy budgets to control stock investment and avoid overbuying
Build a complete merchandise plan including sales forecasts, stock targets and intake schedules
Measure retail performance using key KPIs: sell-through, GMROI, stock turn and forward cover
Execute the end-to-end buying cycle from range planning and supplier negotiation to markdown
Requirements
No prior retail experience required - this course starts from the very basics
A basic understanding of spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets) is helpful but not essential
An interest in retail, fashion buying, or merchandise planning is all you need to get started
Description
This course contains the use of artificial intelligence.
Want to understand how retail really works - from the shop floor to the buying office?
This course gives you a complete picture of modern retail across all its key functions. Whether you are new to the industry, moving into a head office role, or managing your own retail business, you will learn how buying, merchandising, planning, and store operations work together to drive profitability.
What you will learn
How the retail ecosystem works and how each function contributes to business performance
Retail buying fundamentals - supplier relationships, range planning and purchase orders
Merchandise planning and allocation - how retailers match stock to demand
Visual merchandising - how store presentation drives sales and customer behaviour
Store design and layout strategy - how space is planned to maximise conversion
Inventory management and stock control - avoiding overstock and stockouts
Store operations and customer experience - what excellence looks like on the shop floor
Retail analytics and performance measurement - the KPIs that drive every decision
Course structureModule 1 - Introduction to the retail ecosystem
Module 2 - Retail buying fundamentals
Module 3 - Merchandise planning and allocation
Module 4 - Visual merchandising essentials
Module 5 - Store design and layout strategy
Module 6 - Inventory management and stock control
Module 7 - Store operations and customer experience
Module 8 - Retail analytics and performance measurement
Who this course is for
Aspiring retail buyers and merchandise planners who want to break into the industry with confidence
Store managers, retail assistants and fashion graduates looking to move into a planning or buying role
Small business owners and independent retailers who want to manage stock and budgets more effectively
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