Every buyer has heard it — “Be more commercial.”
But what does that actually mean?
In this episode, Elisabeth breaks down one of the most misunderstood phrases in fashion buying.
She explains how being commercial isn’t about losing creativity — it’s about understanding the why behind what sells, and using that insight to make your creativity more powerful.
Drawing on her 25+ years in buying and her experience training global fashion teams, Elisabeth shares:
Why commercial thinking starts with curiosity, not spreadsheets.
The 3 commercial pillars every buyer should master
How to read the story your sales data is telling you.
And how commercial awareness builds the confidence that drives promotions.
Whether you’re early in your buying career or ready to step up into leadership, this episode will help you see how creative and commercial thinking work together — not against each other.
“Commercial” = curiosity + clarity + connection.
Your numbers aren’t judgement — they’re feedback.
When you can explain your decisions with evidence, people listen differently.
Understand what being “commercial” really means.
Build confidence interpreting buying reports and KPIs.
Learn how to balance creativity with commercial success.
Do you feel like you got the buying job but not the training? You’re not alone.
In this episode, Elisabeth explains why so many early-career fashion buyers struggle — and what the industry forgot to teach them.
You’ll learn:
🎯 Take the free Fashion Buyer Skills Assessment → [Quiz Link ]
For more info and courses available visit The Design Directive website
Ever wonder why some buyers get promoted while others stay stuck—despite working just as hard? In this episode, Elisabeth introduces her new "Are You Buyer-Ready?" quiz—a free 3-minute career assessment that reveals exactly where you stand in your buying journey.
Discover the four core skill areas every successful buyer must master, learn why hard work alone isn't enough for promotion, and hear real stories of buyers who transformed their careers by focusing on the right skills at the right time.
Whether you're a buying assistant dreaming of your first buyer role or a junior buyer ready to step up to senior level, this episode gives you the clarity and direction you've been missing.
Stop guessing what it takes to get promoted. Start building the skills that matter.
What You'll Learn:
Perfect For: Junior Buyers, Buying Assistants, Range Planners, Merchandisers transitioning to buying, and anyone serious about advancing their fashion buying career.
Feeling paralyzed when placing orders? Second-guessing every buying decision? You're not alone. In this episode, Elisabeth breaks down why talented buyers get stuck in "execution mode with anxiety" and shares her 5-pillar framework for building unshakeable confidence in your buying decisions.
You'll learn:
Perfect for: Junior to mid-level buyers who want to move from guessing their way through decisions to making them with confidence and strategic clarity.
Key takeaway: "Confidence in buying isn't about being certain all the time. It's about being comfortable with uncertainty while having a framework that guides your decisions."
Connect with Elisabeth:
Toxic buyer behavior has become normalized in our industry. Stories of unpaid invoices, disrespectful communication, and suppliers being set up to fail reveal how far some buyer-supplier relationships have deteriorated.
In this episode, I share examples from payment delays used as leverage to junior buyers learning that bullying suppliers is "just business." I explore why this behavior developed, the real costs to our industry, and most importantly, how we can build respectful partnerships that benefit everyone.
Whether you're a buyer, supplier, or industry leader, this conversation will challenge you to examine your relationships and consider what needs to change. Because without our suppliers, we wouldn't have products to sell - it's time we started treating them like the essential partners they are.
Gut instinct isn’t fairy-dust; it’s experience plus data. Its is powerful when it’s backed by data.
In this episode, Elisabeth Mac Hale dissects the buyer’s phrase “I’ll know it when I see it,” True intuition is built on commercial frameworks, customer insight and relentless pattern spotting.
She shares some real life examples and you’ll learn three practical ways to train your eye, trust your gut and buy with confidence.
Perfect listening for junior and mid-level buyers who want to level up from reactive to strategic.
Episode Summary: "It’s not the title that makes you a great buyer— it’s your ability to make the right decisions when no one’s watching."
Make your company need you because you are so good at your job, because you have such a good understanding, because you know how to pull all the pieces together because you really understand the strategy and the why behind what you're doing both now and in the future..
You must understand that it's beyond just spread spreadsheet knowledge. You're not just an administrator anymore, you're a strategic thinker. That's how you become indispensable for your company. That's how you become the person every company wants to hire or promote.
In this episode of Thrive in Fashion, I’m challenging a mindset that holds so many junior and mid-level buyers back: the idea that your job title defines your success. It doesn’t.
I talk about why true progression in fashion buying comes from consistent, commercial decision-making—not visibility or a flashy job title. I share examples of what really builds trust with your manager, how to interpret vague performance feedback, and where to focus your development if you're serious about moving up.
Learn also :
Why comparison to colleagues is mentally draining—and misleading
What questions to ask in your next performance review
The core skills that make you stand out as a buyer
In this episode of Thrive in Fashion, I’m answering some of the most common questions I get from professionals looking to transition into a buying role. We’ll cover:
If you’re working in retail, marketing, or merchandising and want to break into buying, this episode is for you.
Ready to take the next step?
🔹 Check out my Polish & Perfect Your Resume service to position yourself for a buying role.
Polish & Perfect Your Resume🔹 Enroll in Thrive in Fashion Buying & Merchandising, my course designed to help you build the skills and confidence to thrive in fashion buying.
Thrive in Fashion Buying & Merchandising CourseIn this episode of Thrive in Fashion, I dive into the most common mistakes fashion buyers make—and how to avoid them. From overbuying and misjudging trends to indecision and poor negotiation, these pitfalls can have a huge impact on your bottom line.
I share real-world stories from my experience, including how hesitation and lack of confidence can derail a buying season, why ignoring customer feedback is a costly mistake, and how balancing gut instinct with data leads to smarter buying decisions.
Key takeaways:
✔️ Trust your data—don’t rely solely on gut feeling
✔️ Stick to your critical path—indecision costs time and money
✔️ Keep the customer front and center—feedback is everything
✔️ Negotiate smartly—profitability depends on it
If you're in fashion buying, this episode is packed with insights to help you avoid costly mistakes and make better decisions.
If you would like to develop your fashion buying knowledge from Concept to Customer check out the online course in buying and merchandising
As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to look ahead and start setting your career goals for 2025! In this week’s episode of the Fashion Forward podcast, I’m sharing tips on how to set goals that will set you up for success next year.
Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, mastering new skills, or exploring new career opportunities, this episode covers everything you need to stay on track and motivated throughout 2025.
✨ Reflect on this year's wins and lessons
✨ Define clear, achievable goals
✨ Align your goals with your long-term career vision
✨ Identify skills to develop and fill any gaps
Don’t miss out on these practical tips—listen to the full episode today and set yourself up for a successful year ahead!
If you would like to develop your fashion buying knowledge from Concept to Customer or want to have a resume audit with Elisabeth check out the links below
In this week’s episode, we're looking ahead to the biggest trends shaping the fashion industry in 2025! From Neo-Minimalism’s “less is more” ethos to groundbreaking tech-infused textiles, we’re covering it all.
Whether you’re in buying, merchandising, or just curious about where fashion is headed, this episode breaks down five key trends: Neo-Minimalism, Tech-Infused Textiles, Playful Colors and Prints, Gender-Fluid Fashion, and Circular Fashion. Tune in to hear details and examples on how to recognise these trends and ways to include them in your buying strategy.
Feeling stuck in your current buying role? Learn how to refine your trend forecasting, inventory management, and negotiation strategies to get noticed.
Details in the link below
In this episode of Thrive in Fashion, Elisabeth Mac Hale reveals the realities of fashion buying that aren’t taught in classrooms. Elisabeth breaks down common misconceptions, from the allure of glamour to the heavy focus on sales data and spreadsheets.
She shares her insights and experiences as a buyer, highlighting the balance between creativity and commercial strategy, and how market knowledge and customer insights are essential for success. Packed with real-world examples, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring buyers, fashion students, and anyone eager to thrive in the retail buying office.
FREE DOWNLOAD >>
https://learn.thriveinfashion.com/buyers-30-tips-register
If you would like to make your fashion buying kowledge Industry ready from Concept to Customer check out the link below
In this episode of the Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising podcast, host Elisabeth Mac Hale answers some of the most frequently asked questions about career growth in the fashion industry.
Whether you’re a junior buyer looking to advance or a seasoned professional seeking a fresh perspective, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
Elisabeth discusses essential skills for advancement, strategies for transitioning into mid-level and senior roles, and ways to foster growth outside of work. She also addresses feelings of being “stuck” in a role and emphasizes the importance of mentorship. Tune in for practical tips and resources that can help you accelerate your career path in buying and merchandising!
If you would like to lern and develop your fashion buying skills and how develop products from Concept to Customer check out the link below
Thrive in Fashion Buying & Merchandising CourseIn this week's Thrive in Fashion Buying podcast episode, Elisabeth Mac Hale breaks down some key metrics every fashion buyer must understand to optimize inventory, make data-driven decisions, and maximize profitability. Discover how to use metrics like Sell-Through Rate, Weeks of Supply, Inventory Turnover Rate, and Markdown Rate to fine-tune your buying strategy.
Elisabeth provides examples of these metrics in action, helping you grasp their impact on sales performance and profitability. Whether you’re aiming to boost sell-through, improve cash flow, or reduce markdowns, this episode equips you with the insights to excel in your buying role.
Tune in for actionable tips and elevate your data-driven strategy today!
If you would like to lern and develop your fashion buying skills and how develop products from Concept to Customer check out the link below
Episode 21 of the THRIVE IN FASHION podcast dives into the preparation and strategy of seasonal planning for fashion buyers. As we transition from AW24, Elisabeth Mac Hale shares actionable steps to ensure you are prepared and strategically set for the upcoming buying season.
In this episode, Elisabeth discusses:
Reviewing Current Season Performance: Learn how to evaluate your best and worst products, spot trends, and gather critical insights to inform your next buying decisions.
Setting Clear Goals and Budgets: Why it’s crucial to establish your goals early and how to approach initial budgeting, leaving room for flexibility and growth.
Identifying Key Trends and Customer Insights: Understand how to select the most relevant trends for your brand, considering both fashion and broader socioeconomic factors.
Planning Your Buy by Category: Tips on managing quantities, sell-through rates, and getting your product mix right for maximum impact.
Creating a Timeline and Critical Path: Mastering the art of staying on schedule from sample approval to product delivery, and why timing is everything.
Get ready to streamline your planning process and set yourself up for a successful season ahead. Here is a Link to the FREE checklist
Plan Your New Season ChecklistIf you would like to develop your fashion buying skills and Learn more in-depth about how to develop products from Concept to Customer check out Elsabeth's Course via the link below
Thrive in Fashion Buying & Merchandising CourseIn this episode of the Thrive in Fashion podcast, host Elisabeth Mac Hale explores essential pricing strategies and costing fundamentals for fashion buyers, whether you’re managing a large retail business or running an independent boutique.
Elisabeth breaks down the key components of pricing, from cost of goods to landed costs, and explains critical differences between gross and net profit margins. Tune in to learn how mastering the pricing process drives profitability and brand success.
If you would like to lern and develop your fashion buying skills and how develop products from Concept to Customer check out the link below
In this episode, host Elisabeth Mac Hale tackles a key concern for many branded buyers: maintaining healthy profit margins when designer brands come in with lower markup multipliers. Elisabeth explains what a "good" markup is and what to do when you’re faced with designer brands offering much lower multipliers.
Learn how to balance profitability with brand appeal, strategies for negotiating better terms, curating your assortment strategically, and how to compensate for lower margins by driving value elsewhere. This episode will give you practical insights to keep your margins strong while staying true to your brand mix.
Tune in to discover actionable strategies for managing markups and maintaining profitability in fashion buying!
If you would like to lern and develop your fashion buying skills and how develop products from Concept to Customer check out the link below
Thrive in Fashion Buying & Merchandising CourseIn this episode, Elisabeth talks about the essential role of technical packs in fashion buying and design. Discover why providing accurate technical specifications is vital for the success of any fashion product.
Learn the key components of a comprehensive tech pack, including design sketches, bill of materials, measurements, construction details, colorways, and quality standards.
Understand the consequences of inaccurate or incomplete tech packs, such as production delays, increased costs, and quality issues.
Listen to this insightful episode that can elevate your fashion projects and streamline your production process.
If you would like to develop products your fashion buying knowledge and skills check out the link below for the
Thrive in Fashion Buying & Merchandising CourseIn this episode of the Thrive in Fashion Podcast, host Elisabeth Mac Hale shares the critical steps necessary for a successful range sign off presentation. A well-planned, balanced, and commercial range plan can make or break a sales season. Whether you're an experienced buyer or new to the role, mastering these points will help you navigate your next product line review with confidence and precision.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
Do Your Homework: Understand your category, competition, and market changes to anticipate customer needs.
Plan your Budget: Align your range plan with your budget, measure effectiveness with KPIs, and identify growth opportunities.
Know Your Facts & Figures: Analyze sales history, pricing strategies, and customer feedback to make data-driven decisions.
Prepare Your Samples: Ensure high-quality, visually appealing samples and leverage technology to enhance your presentation.
Don't Panic, Stay Confident: Prepare thoroughly, practice your presentation, and handle questions and feedback with poise.
Each range review is an opportunity to learn, improve, and ultimately contribute to your success as a buyer.
If you would like to learn more about how to develop products from Concept to Customer check out the link below
Thrive in Fashion Buying & Merchandising CourseThis episode explores the topic of forecasting demand and predicting future trends in fashion buying. Discover how fashion buyers and merchandisers blend art and science, intuition and data, to ensure the right products are available at the right time. We'll delve into market research, sales data analysis, trend spotting, and the role of fashion forecasting agencies. Learn how collaboration with designers and suppliers, monitoring competitors, and leveraging technology play a crucial role in making informed decisions. We'll also discuss the importance of considering external factors and balancing intuition with data. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical examples that illustrate the thought processes and actions of successful fashion buyers and merchandisers.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding your target market and consumer behavior.
Analyzing past sales data to identify patterns and trends.
The importance of trend spotting and attending fashion industry events.
Utilizing fashion forecasting agencies for insights into future trends.
Leveraging technology and data analytics for informed decision-making.
Considering external factors and balancing intuition with data.
Listen now and enhance your skills in forecasting demand and predicting future trends in fashion buying!
If you would like to learn more about how to develop products from Concept to Customer check out the link below
Thrive in Fashion Buying & Merchandising Course