Fashion Buying and Merchandising
Fashion buying and merchandising sits at the commercial heart of the fashion industry. Buyers select the products that retailers stock, making decisions about which items to purchase, in what quantities, from which suppliers, and at what price points. Merchandisers manage the financial planning and stock allocation that determine whether those buying decisions translate into profit.
Together, buying and merchandising are the functions that connect creative design and manufacturing to the commercial realities of retail, and they require both commercial intelligence and a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and trend.
At the University of Manchester, this three-year full-time BSc is part of a suite of fashion business and technology courses that explore the exciting industry of fashion business and the many creative, practical, technical, and business elements that contribute to it. You will explore how textiles and products are created, tested, sourced, manufactured, managed, marketed, promoted, and retailed, giving you a thorough understanding of the fashion supply chain from design concept to shop floor. The buying and merchandising specialism develops the commercial skills, numerical fluency, and trend awareness that the professional roles require.
A typical entry tariff of 152 points applies.
You will develop skills in range planning, supplier negotiation, financial planning, trend analysis, critical path management, and the data-driven decision-making that characterises modern retail buying. Manchester's strong commercial connections and the practical orientation of the programme mean you develop skills that employers can use immediately.
Graduates go on to careers in fashion buying, merchandising, trend forecasting, product development, retail management, and supply chain management across high street, luxury, and digital fashion businesses. Postgraduate study in fashion business, retail management, or related disciplines supports those seeking specialist or leadership roles.