A fashion buyer is a professional who is responsible for selecting and buying products or merchandise for retail companies. Their role involves staying updated on the latest fashion trends, analysing sales data (with merchandise planners) and negotiating deals with suppliers and designers. Fashion buyers are required to have a thorough understanding of their target market and customer preferences to make well-informed decisions about which products to buy. They often work closely with merchandise planners, designers and marketing teams to ensure that the products align with the company’s brand and meet customer demands and expectations.

There are good number of opportunities for fashion buyers in South Africa.  Because fashion buying is an applied skill this role is categorised as a scarce skill in South Africa.  There are several work opportunities for fashion buyers. Some of them include:

1. Retail Companies: Fashion buyers can work for large retail companies and online retailers. They are responsible for selecting and buying products that will be sold in a bricks-and-mortar store or on an online platform. Examples include The Foschini Group (TFG), Truworths, etc
2. Fashion Brands: Fashion buyers can work for fashion brands, helping them source materials and products for their collections. They may also be involved in trend forecasting and analysis to determine what items should be included in the brand’s line. There are pure stand-alone brands such as Adidas, Levi’s or Nike.
3. Wholesale/ Supplier Companies: Fashion buyers can work for wholesale companies that supply products to retailers. They are responsible for selecting and purchasing items from manufacturers and brands and then selling them to retailers.
4. E-commerce Platforms: With the rise of online shopping, there are opportunities for fashion buyers to work for e-commerce platforms. They help curate the product offerings, analyse consumer demand, and negotiate with suppliers. Examples of these in SA are Zando and Superbalist.
5. Fashion Publications: Some fashion buyers work for fashion magazines or publications. They provide expert opinions and recommendations on the latest fashion trends and products for editorial features.
6. Freelancing and Consulting: Experienced fashion buyers can work as freelancers or consultants, providing their expertise and services on a project-by-project basis to various clients in the fashion industry.
7. Self-Employment: Some fashion buyers choose to start their own businesses, acting as personal shoppers or fashion consultants for individual clients.

Overall, fashion buyers have a range of opportunities within the retail, wholesale, e-commerce, publishing, and consulting sectors. They play a critical role in selecting and purchasing products that meet consumer demands while maintaining profitability for their employers or clients.

A fashion buyer is a critical member of a retail team, and their decisions can significantly impact sales and profit margins.  Typical activities include the following:

Researching and monitoring market trends and competitors to stay ahead of the curve.
Developing strong relationships with suppliers and negotiating contracts and pricing.
Analysing and forecasting (with merchandise planners) sales trends to inform buying decisions.
Managing stock levels (with merchandise planners) and ensuring that products are stocked at the right time and in the right quantities.
Collaborating with other departments such as operations and marketing to plan promotions and sales.
Keeping up-to-date with the latest fashion trends, both internationally and locally
Collaborating with marketing to create effective visual merchandising displays in stores and online (where applicable).

There is a shortage of skilled fashion buyers in South Africa. Fashion Buyers have often completed a graduate program within fashion buying, under supervision of a seasoned, qualified senior buyer or buying manager.

Starting salaries typically range from R 168 000 to R 216 000 in the retail sector.  Once a buyer has gained more experience, there are several career path options, as already mentioned.

Given the different types of opportunities available to Fashion Buyers, there is a demand in this field.