Buying and Beyond
Welcome to the Buying & Beyond podcast, the podcast for all things Retail Buying...and more!
Join us, Kate & Lyns, buyers and best friends, each week for industry insights, stories and expertise from real people in retail.
Enjoy honest stories and conversations, retail therapy and learn bite-sized tips from us and our guests from across the industry.
- Season 1 starts with Becoming a Buyer - the background to how we started in the industry, what exactly is a Buyer, working your way up the ladder and the main meetings and tasks working in Buying
- Season 2 is all about Being a Buyer - leading a team, coordinating trips, working with suppliers, product & personal development and sustainability
- Season 3 takes us beyond just the direct Buying team - we introduce merchandisers, talk about designers and new trends, burnout & life coaching.
- Season 4 is where we are joined by more Retail Buyers and have also invited Retail Businesses to tell us their stories
- Season 5 continues with a fantastic assortment of Retail Buyers and Retail Businesses. We find out how they got started and what inspires & excites them about retail - plus we lift the lid on what Brands need and Buyers expect!
We are your modern day mentors; prepping Buyers of the future and empowering current Buyers. Our insights for retail businesses and entrepreneurs will shine a light on how to to build, grow, scale and pitch like a pro!
If you like listening to this podcast, please rate, follow and share - you can also find us on instagram @buyingandbeyond
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Buying and Beyond
Retail Reflections 15th August 2025 - Loyalty, Legacy Brands & The Endless Runway
Welcome to another lively Friday morning catch-up! In this discussion, we dive into the latest happenings in the retail world, sharing personal stories, industry insights, and thoughtful opinions.
We kick things off with an update on River Island, from there, we take a trip down memory lane with a discussion on tween retail, reflecting on the glory days of Claire’s Accessories in the midst of the sad news about the brands struggles, while considering the fresh strategies legacy brands need to survive today’s competitive, fast-fashion market.
The conversation then moves to IKEA’s newly opened Brighton store, with its local cultural touches, sustainability focus, and, of course, the much-loved “Bargain Corner.” We also look ahead to the upcoming Fashion Weeks and the rise of preloved trends, spotlighting eBay’s Endless Runway campaign and the growing influence of circular fashion on mainstream retail.
Katy shares her own experience joining ASOS’s World Loyalty Program, and we discuss the growing importance of digital loyalty and community for online-only retailers. We also explore the Marks & Spencer Sparks Parenthood Club, a creative approach to customer engagement that’s helping M&S reinvent its family appeal in kidswear and menswear.
We wrap up with Hotel Chocolat’s latest foray into experiential retail, discussing how immersive in-store experiences can deepen customer engagement and boost sales in an increasingly digital-first world.
Key takeaways from this week’s chat include:
- The need for legacy brands to adapt to shifting consumer expectations.
- The rising importance of loyalty programs and in-store experiences for customer retention
- Sustainability and circular fashion are no longer niche, they’re shaping the future of retail as we know it.
Tune in for industry news, personal anecdotes, and actionable insights for anyone curious about where retail is heading next.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories! Drop us a message or share your own retail reflections with us.
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