Buying and Beyond

This week it's just the two of us - no guests, no agenda, just a good old buyers' debrief. A few weeks ago we headed to Manchester for the Buying and Beyond meetup, and naturally that meant hitting the shops. What followed was a wide-ranging conversation about what we saw on the floor, where smart buyers are finding inspiration right now, and how the digital landscape is changing the way we read trends. If you've ever wanted to know where to go, what to look for, and how to cut through the noise - this one's for you.

In this Buying & Beyond, we sit down with Elena, founder of Elena London, a luxury home fragrance brand she built from scratch during lockdown after becoming frustrated with reed diffusers that seemed to lose their scent within days. What started as a search for a better product quickly evolved into a thriving business, built alongside a full-time career and driven by a commitment to quality, craftsmanship and customer experience.

Elena shares her entrepreneurial journey, from an early venture importing Australian salt to discovering her passion for home fragrance and creating hand-poured products made in small batches. We...

What does it actually look like to leave the familiarity of UK retail buying and move to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to work on the supplier side? In this episode, we sit down with Nadya - a buyer turned product manager at Next Sourcing- who did exactly that.

With a background spanning REISS, Crew Clothing, and lululemon, Nadya shares the career moments that shaped her, the leap of faith that took her across the world, and what she's learning from the other side of the supply chain.

Nadya's story starts, as so many do, with a spark...

This week we're joined by Lucy Horden, a commercial retail strategist who spent over 15 years at Debenhams working across franchise operations, brand partnerships, and business strategy. Lucy takes us inside one of the UK's most iconic department stores during its golden years and its eventual collapse — sharing the real behind-the-scenes story of what went wrong, and the lessons every retailer needs to hear.

From starting as a sales assistant who was told she was "wildly overqualified," to managing multi-million pound international franchise relationships across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and beyond, Lucy's career is a masterclass in ho...

In this episode we sit down with Katie Williams - former senior merchandiser at Topman and Quiz Clothing, psychotherapist, and founder of her own coaching business - to talk about the realities of building a career in fashion retail, what burnout actually looks like from the inside, and why the skills you develop in buying and merchandising translate far beyond the shop floor.

Katie takes us through her accidental entry into merchandising, 10 years at Topman during its heyday, her move to Scotland, and the moment she realised she needed to completely reimagine her career. She's refreshingly honest...

In this week's episode, Kate and Lyns dive deep into one of their favourite subjects - retail - and why staying commercially aware is one of the most powerful tools a buyer can have. From trade meeting horror stories (hello, & Other Stories) to the exploding world of experiential retail, AI disruption, and the importance of supplier relationships, this episode is a must-listen for anyone working in or aspiring to get into buying.

They explore how the retail landscape has shifted dramatically - with TikTok-speed trend cycles, global influence flattening cultural differences, and the rising pressure on buyers...

This week we're joined by Levanah Gates, The Buyer's Coach -a former buying manager at M&S, Tesco, BHS, Fat Face, and George (Asda)- who now coaches buyers and retail professionals to build confidence, gain clarity, and navigate the fast-paced world of buying.

Levanah started her career in 2009, studying illustration before falling in love with retail through part-time work at Jigsaw. She worked her way up through some of the biggest names in the industry, spending six years at George as a buying manager across knitwear, swim, footwear, and accessories. After having her daughter in 2019 and...

In this episode, we're joined by Lynsey Scoins — a fashion industry veteran with over 15 years of experience across design, buying, merchandising and recruitment, and founder of Fashion Path, a platform dedicated to helping people break into and build careers in the fashion industry.

Lynsey shares her winding career journey from almost landing a placement at Company Magazine to discovering buying and merchandising almost by accident at George ASDA, and eventually realising her original degree in International Fashion Marketing had been pointing her in the right direction all along. We also get into the reality of retail vs su...

This week, we’re joined by Holly Stafford Smith from GH Stafford & Son limited a fourth-generation family business that’s been supplying leather goods and accessories to retailers across the UK and Ireland since 1947.

Holly gives us a rare look at the supplier side of the buyer-supplier relationship and honestly, the overlap is bigger than you might think.

Having joined the business back in 2007, Holly has shaped her role from the ground up and now leads across buying, supplier relationships and commercial strategy. From sourcing product at the Canton Fair to managing a diverse UK cust...

This week's episode is a special one  co-host Lynsey is joined by her old friend and former London College of Fashion classmate, Jodie Blake, now CMO at Manolo Blahnik. What starts as a nostalgic trip down memory lane (lemon poppy seed muffins from Starbucks, high heels to lectures, and getting the tube one stop instead of walking) quickly turns into one of the most insightful conversations we've had on the show.

Jodie's career is a masterclass in building from the ground up. She started out as a press assistant at Office Shoes during its golden era of b...

Claire McIlroy returns to the pod for a deep dive into the fascinating and surprisingly complex world of grocery buying. Having started her career on the buying side at DHL and Morrisons before moving into sales and her current role as Sales Director, Claire brings a rare dual perspective on what it really takes to get food from farm to shelf. She's also co-founder of the W Collective, a community dedicated to empowering women in their corporate careers.

In this episode, we hear how Claire worked her way through procurement at DHL - buying everything from stationery...

In this episode, Yasmin O’Donnell shares the story behind Ginny & Me a social-first fashion brand that has quickly built a cult following around its hero flared-sleeve windbreaker jacket. What began in her Oxford Brookes University bedroom, experimenting with Amazon-bought fabrics and hand-sewing garments, has grown into a brand that now sells out monthly pre-orders, has been featured in Vogue and Vanity Fair, and operates with a fiercely loyal community, all without a traditional retail or buying background.

Yasmin talks about how Ginny & Me started as what she calls an “accidental brand,” initially rooted in linen and gingha...

In this special episode, we’re doing something a little different. Before we dive into our usual conversations, we’re sharing something we’ve been working on behind the scenes for a while- the launch of The Buyer’s Club.

This has been a long time coming, and it’s something we feel incredibly passionate about because it really started with our own experience. Throughout our careers in buying, we’ve always leaned on each other to sense-check decisions, share the highs and lows, and navigate what can often feel like a fast-paced and, at times, quite...

In this episode, we sit down with Lyndsay Mason, founder and CEO of For The Creators, a business transforming maternity and early parenthood fashion through a sustainable rental model. What began as a personal frustration with the lack of stylish, practical options for expectant and new mothers has evolved into a comprehensive platform offering curated clothing rental, thoughtfully selected lifestyle products, and soon, a dedicated community space.

Lyndsay shares her journey from global digital marketer for baby brands to building a fashion-tech rental business without a traditional fashion background. She talks candidly about launching with just a 10...

This week we’re joined by Janine McManus - former fashion buyer, therapeutic coach and founder of We Beam - for a powerful and honest conversation about burnout, identity and redefining success.

Janine began her career as a print designer before carving her way into buying at Burton, later spending formative years at ASOS during its meteoric rise. She shares what it was like to be part of that high-energy growth phase - the creativity, the camaraderie, the culture that made it feel like anything was possible.

But alongside the highs, Janine speaks candidly about th...

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Rollings, a commercial leader with over 20 years of experience at some of the world’s most influential fashion and lifestyle brands, including Burberry, Michael Kors, Kurt Geiger and Pangaia. Amy takes us on her journey from a fashion intern in New York to building a deep foundation in retail buying, where she learned to understand product, customer behavior, and brand storytelling at scale. She reflects on her time at Burberry during its “golden years” under Angela Ahrendts and Christopher Bailey, and how being part of a culture-first organization shaped her approach to lea...

This week’s episode is split into two parts.

The first was recorded live at Top Drawer back in January, where we sat down with Hannah Adams to talk about AI and what it really means for buyers and brands.

The second dives into Hannah’s career journey from buyer to business transformation specialist and what that evolution teaches us about modern retail careers.

Part One: Live from Top Drawer - AI in Retail

Recording live brought such energy to this conversation. We wanted to strip AI back to what actually matt...

S8 EP2 From shop floor lessons to commercial confidence with Dahlia Stroud

This week we’re joined by Dahlia Stroud, a retail and FMCG leader whose career spans Nestlé, Asda and Co-op, where she’s led commercial strategy, online trading and multiple buying teams (without ever officially holding the buyer title). Today she hosts Stressed But Well-Dressed, exploring the link between confidence, mindset and how we show up at work.

In this episode we go back to the start- field sales, Christmas aisles and learning retail the hard way and how those early experiences built the i...

This week we are joined by Claire Ward- a senior product technologist. This episode is a particularly special one for us. Claire, Kate and Lyns all met right at the very beginning of our careers at Accessorize, learning the ropes of retail together  so recording this felt like a real full-circle moment. We start by reminiscing about those early days before diving into the journey Claire has taken since, building an impressive career across some of the UK’s best-known fashion brands including Accessorize, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Mint Velvet and Hush.

Claire shares how she moved from bei...

This week’s episode is a big one  and a conversation we’ve been really excited to share. We’re joined by Nick Lambert, Head of Circularity at Primark, whose career journey is a powerful example of how deep commercial experience can drive real, meaningful change in sustainability.

Nick started his career like many in retail  working his way up through buying, beginning as a buying admin assistant at Arcadia (Topshop/Topman), before becoming a buyer and eventually moving to Primark nearly a decade ago. After 20 years in the industry, Nick made the transition from buying into sustaina...

In this episode, Kate and Lyns reflect on seven seasons of Buying and Beyond and take on one of the most pressing - and personal - topics in retail today: why so many buyers are leaving the industry they once loved.

With no guest this week, the conversation is honest and unfiltered. They explore the realities facing buying teams today, from shrinking budgets and growing workloads to the erosion of creativity and the frustration caused by unclear or constantly shifting brand strategies. The role of the buyer, once central and celebrated, is increasingly under pressure - and o...

In today’s episode, we’re delighted to be joined by Harry Zalk, CEO of ARKIVE Headcare at Matrix Brands an innovative, B Corp–certified brand incubator creating and scaling some of the most exciting names in health and beauty.

Matrix is behind an award-winning portfolio spanning skincare, haircare, bodycare and fragrance, including Cowshed, ARKIVE Headcare and Soho Skin. Beyond their own brands, they also develop private label products and brand-led experiences for major retail, travel and hospitality partners such as Space NK, Boots, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and British Airways - taking products from concept and NPD throug...

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 work while staying human (and keeping your sense of humour).

Between them, Katie and Clare bring a powerful blend of commercial and creative experience.

Clare has spent over 15 year...

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 to plant care, trends, and buying live product, Claire is a true specialist - what she doesn’t know about plants honestly isn’t worth know...

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, kids, knitwear, swim, and everything in between. They’ve lived the fast-paced, slightly chaotic, always creative world of in-house design and now they’re pouring all of that experience into Everley...

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 her own personal styling company, helping high-performing women align their wardrobes with their leadership goals, confidence, and visibility. Basically, turning closets into a strategy for success. 

Alex and Lynsey first met when they...

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 how retailers can prepare for the market of tomorrow.

We unpack the role of AI and digital innovation in the retail landscape, the cultural and structural changes the indust...

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 wealth of experience, insight, and perspective and is a passionate advocate for female empowerment within the sector.

In this episode, Julia walks us through her fascinating and non-linear career path: the ear...

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 been busier - or more fun!

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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 leadership.

Stevie opens up about how her early internships shaped her understanding of the industry, sharing honest reflections on the importance of saying yes to opportunities, learning from...

Welcome to this week's episode! Here's what you'll hear:Shein: An update on Shein’s recent controversy in FranceUK High Street: The recent nationwide crackdown on organized crimeB&M: Leadership shakeup following an accounting errorGreggs: Launching new “bite-sized” store formatsThe White Company: New partnership with ZappToy sales: Resurgence post-pandemic due to 'kidult' trendTune in for a fast-paced roundup of the week’s biggest retail stories!


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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 sale of inappropriate products and the resulting protests at BHV’s Shein concession.

We discuss the evolving landscape of Christmas advertising, with a focus on the emotional storytelling of John Lewis, the classic festive approaches from Morrisons and Lidl...

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 décor, and the ever-evolving trends in pumpkins, ghosts, and sustainable Christmas goodies.

The episode dives into the art (and occasional chaos) of Christmas decorating whether at home or...

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-evolving Boots Advantage Card. Plus, we celebrate some impressive brand comebacks  including New Look and Superdry  and talk about how retailers are navigating tech glitches during the busies...

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 departments like ladieswear, knitwear and nightwear, learning the importance of agility, training, and collaboration in a fast-paced corporate environment.

After relocating to Wales, Rebecca’s journey took a creative t...

After a brief hiatus, we're back with a fast-paced download of the latest happenings in retail, brand news, and industry trends.