First week of tutorials

This week has been CRAZY! I've started working on my buying ranges and merchandising. I've completed my sales and space mix as well as the option sheet, which helped me figure out how many options I am going to need for my four chosen ranges. I am stocking 'RiverIsland Plus' in 10 of their top stores and online, so technically 11 stores altogether. From completing these spreadsheets I now know I need to design 120 options overall - Yes 120. Yes I am very stressed.

So far I've completed my minamal and tropicana ranges, which leaves me my Egyptian Chic and Safari ranges left to complete - which I am to do by Wednesday next week. Once this is done I can crack on with all my other units. (Pictures of my ranges to come)

These are the notes I made from my tutorials this week:

Buying

• Add a shrug/cardi to the range - so it can run through all of the ranges in different colours or prints.
• Trend report - all to go into my research file, however create a page within my final FMP to summarize my findings and chosen trends
• Research - photos, street style, history, colour etc
• Remove shoes from the range - just use these designins within the visual planograms

Sourcing

• Extra fabric because its a plus size range? Yes, margins are going to be slightly lower by 2 or 3% as I will need to use more fabric than normal RiverIsland clothing - however can't charge more just because its plus size as its not fair on the customer.
• Reduce planned space from 20sq metres to 12sq metres as its a too bigger space for a new sub-brand
• Countries for my sourcing stratergy
• Turkey: denim, jersey
• China: swimwear, blouses, maxi dresses
• Romania: smart/tailored clothing, blouses
• Bulgaria: smart jersey
• I can then 'dual source' - source a product in china then for next drop repeat closer to home in Bulgaria