Buying and Beyond

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Katie and Clare, the brilliant duo behind The W-Collective -  a platform built on honest conversations, practical tools, and real support for working women. If you haven’t come across The W-Collective yet, their mission is refreshingly clear: no “girl boss” clichés, no fluff - just real talk about careers, confidence, burnout, and navigating the realities of wor...

In today’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Claire Bishop, Senior Plant Buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres and one of the most knowledgeable people we know when it comes to all things horticulture. Claire and Lynsey first met during our time at Dobbies, and I’ve always been in awe of her depth of plant knowledge and her genuine passion for the role plants play in people’s lives. When it comes t...

In this episode, we’re joined by two absolute gems of the design world - Sarah Spires and Rachel Perkins - the creative duo and big-hearted energy behind Everley Studio. Before launching Everley, Sarah and Rachel spent years inside retail working for some of the biggest names on the UK high street: Next, George, F&F, and Laura Ashley. Between them, they’ve designed across womenswear, menswear,...

We’re so excited to welcome Alex Standley to the podcast this week!  Alex has spent over 15 years navigating the high-stakes, fast-paced world of fashion buying at global giants like Marks & Spencer and Amazon - from trend-spotting and category strategy to negotiating those all-important big meetings.  After a successful career in buying, Alex made a bold leap into entrepreneurship and founded...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Julia Darlington, we shift from her remarkable career journey to the future of the retail industry and the work she’s doing now to shape the next generation of female leaders. With decades of senior experience across some of the UK’s most iconic retailers, Julia brings a clear-eyed, forward-thinking perspective on what’s changing, what still needs to evolve, and...

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we’re thrilled to welcome Julia Darlington  a woman whose career spans some of the UK’s most iconic retailers including M&S, French Connection, Habitat, Coast, Tie Rack, Arcadia, and Accessorize (and breathe!). Julia began her retail journey back in the 1980s, giving her a front-row seat to the industry’s evolution over several decades. She brings a wea...

This week on Retail Reflections: Shein’s still stealing headlines, Clarks and Walmart double down on marketplaces, and B&Q delivers paint faster than you can make a cuppa. M&S takes Percy Pigs down under, Vinted’s value goes sky-high, and Ocado launches a menopause aisle. Plus: wine bars go digital, Boden lands stateside, and Tom Daley knits Team GB into Olympic history. Retail’s never bee...

In this episode of Buying & Beyond , we sit down with Stevie, Head of Buying at Hobbs, to explore her inspiring journey through the ever-changing world of fashion retail. From her early days at the London College of Fashion to leading buying teams at two of the UK’s most iconic high street brands - House of Fraser and Hobbs. Stevie’s career story is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and...

Welcome to this week's episode! Here's what you'll hear: Shein : An update on Shein’s recent controversy in France UK High Street : The recent nationwide crackdown on organized crime B&M : Leadership shakeup following an accounting error Greggs : Launching new “bite-sized” store formats The White Company: New partnership with Zapp Toy sales: Resurgence post-pandemic due to &apos...

This week’s Retail Reflections covers a mix of uplifting and challenging stories from the retail world. The episode opens with the positive news of Nobody’s Child achieving B Corp status, highlighting their commitment to ethical practices and sustainability. The conversation then shifts to the controversy surrounding Shein and other online marketplaces, as the French government investigates the sa...

In this lively season finale, we unwrap the chaos and charm of the Christmas retail season. Kicking off right after Halloween, we reflect on everything from giant spiders and creepy gingerbread men to the very first signs of Christmas fever.  With years of experience in buying seasonal products, we share insider tips, stories, and laughs about when to put up the tree, the latest in festive home dé...

This week on Retail Reflections , we’re diving into the retail rush that’s starting earlier than ever. With Black Friday deals already flooding our feeds, we explore why brands are breaking tradition and what that means for both shoppers and sales. We also take a look at the beauty sector’s big moves, from Boots’ new store openings to the rise of loyalty programs like Club New Look and the ever-ev...

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Rebecca Hawkes, Buying Manager at Something Different Wholesale and someone who’s experienced the buying world from both sides of the fence: big-name retail and fast-moving B2B. Rebecca’s career started in fashion design, but it was a university placement at Tesco that ignited her passion for buying. From there, she climbed the ranks across dep...

After a brief hiatus, we're back with a fast-paced download of the latest happenings in retail, brand news, and industry trends. Temu Controversy: Discussion on Temu's ongoing issues with product and image copying, the impact on small brands, and new takedown processes. Reebok x F45 Partnership: Insights into Reebok's new global partnership with F45 Training, and reflections on the...

This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Glenn , Founder of DEN Loungewear — and a true retail all-rounder who’s spent years shaping menswear for some of the UK’s biggest high-street names, including Primark, Arcadia, and Next . Glenn’s story begins where so many retail careers do on the shop floor. Starting as a sales assistant at Topman, he quickly caught the buying bug and made the move to head...

This episode was recorded LIVE at Top Drawer in September 2025. Top Drawer is the UK's leading design-led trade show for buyers and retailers to discover, connect, and purchase lifestyle products across sectors like Home, Gift, Fashion, and Stationery. It's held twice yearly at Kensington Olympia, London.  Join us, Kate & Lyns, for a chat with Rosie, Head of Range & Ecommerce at...

In this episode of Buying and Beyond , we sit down with Emma Robinson , a consultant wine buyer whose career is as rich and layered as the wines she sources. From studying science to stepping into the world of fine wines, Emma has carved out a unique path, working across yacht provisioning, supermarket collaborations, and specialist training. Emma shares what it really takes to succeed in wine buy...

In this week’s episode, we sit down for a lively catch-up - no guest, just an honest, in-depth chat about the trends, trade shows, and inspirations shaping fashion and retail right now. We kick things off with the joys of autumn fashion: cozy knits, rich burgundy tones, suede textures, and the art of layering. From there, we dive into the rise of head-to-toe colour drenching, playful bold combos,...

This week, we dive into the latest movements and shake-ups in the retail world, with a special focus on leadership changes, store strategies, and sustainability efforts. In this episode: Leadership Changes at M&S: We discuss the recent appointments and departures at Marks & Spencer, including the hiring of a new Transformation Director and the exit of their CTO after a challenging year mar...

In this episode of Buying and Beyond , we sit down with Louis Clark, Head of Strategic Program Development at the Fashion Retail Academy (FRA) and the Education for Industry Group. Louis takes us inside the innovative ways FRA is transforming work-based learning for the retail sector. From apprenticeships and bespoke programs to short courses across fashion, beauty, and beyond, FRA is bridging the...

In this episode of Retail Reflections, your hosts dive into the latest happenings in the world of fashion and retail for the week ending September 19th, 2025. Despite a few real-life interruptions (tree surgeons and lingering colds!), the conversation is packed with insights and lively discussion. Highlights include: A recap of New York and London Fashion Weeks, with standout moments from Valentin...

In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Thompson, an experienced Product Category Manager at Jewsons, who has built an impressive career spanning fashion, sports retail, appliances, and now building products. Rebecca’s journey is a fascinating example of how skills in buying and category management can transfer across industries - even from trend-led fashion accessories to long-lifecycle hard go...

We may be a little croaky this week (autumn bugs have caught us!), but there’s far too much happening in retail to skip an episode. So, grab a cuppa and join us for a whistle-stop tour of the latest industry moves, headlines, and a few surprises. This week, we discuss: 📺 Hobbycraft TV – The arts and crafts giant launches its own TV channel, available on Freeview, YouTube, and online. What does th...

In this episode, we welcome Yasmin Parkin, a Buying and Merchandising student at the Fashion Retail Academy in London. Yasmin takes us through her journey of discovering her passion for fashion during school and how that interest eventually led her to pursue a degree focused on buying and merchandising. For her, fashion isn’t just about the clothes - it’s about what they represent, who they’re for...

Welcome to another episode of Friday Retail Reflections ! This week, we’re diving into the latest trends and stories shaping the retail landscape. We kick things off with Amazon’s Second Chance Deal Days - the retailer’s first-ever discount event dedicated to secondhand products. With over 30 million returned and refurbished items up for grabs, this move shines a spotlight on the resale market and...