Buying and Beyond

Welcome to the Buying & Beyond podcast, the podcast for all things Retail Buying...and more! Join us, Kate & Lyns, buyers and best friends, each week for industry insights, stories and expertise from real people in retail. Enjoy honest stories and conversations, retail therapy and learn bite-sized tips from us and our guests from across the industry. Season 1 starts with Becoming a Buyer - the background to how we started in the industry, what exactly is a Buyer, working your way up the ladder and the main meetings and tasks working in Buying Season 2 is all about Being a Buyer - leading a team, coordinating trips, working with suppliers, product & personal development and sustainability Season 3 takes us beyond just the direct Buying team - we introduce merchandisers, talk about designers and new trends, burnout & life coaching. Season 4 is where we are joined by more Retail Buyers and hav

Buying and Beyond is a business podcast hosted by Buying & Beyond, with 112 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Buying & Beyond hosts Buying and Beyond, a business show with 112 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #8

  S10 E8 Putting People First Creates Bestselling Products with Alex Dimitriu

  Aug 18, 202646 minS10

  Our guest this episode is Alex Dimitriu, Product Director at White Stuff, whose 30-year buying career has taken her through some of the UK's best-known retailers, including M&S, House of Fraser, New Look and Miss Selfridge, buying across menswear, womenswear and childrenswear. Alex also had one of the most legendary send-offs from M&S, with former colleagues gathering on a freezing January night to sing her off- a testament to the kind of leader she has become. Alex's route into retail wasn't conventional. She began her career as a French teacher in Tower Hamlets before taking a leap of faith at 28, accepting a significant pay cut to join M&S as a Buying Admin Assistant in hosiery. It's a story that proves there isn't one path into buying and one that sparks a wider conversation about why passion, curiosity and commercial instinct are just as valuable as a traditional retail degree. Throughout the episode, we explore how the buying role has transformed over the past three decades. From the hierarchical buying floors of the 1990s to today's fast-paced, multi-channel retail landscape, Alex reflects on why buyers are expected to wear more hats than ever before. Balancing product, sustainability, supply chains, strategy and leadership, often all at once. We also discuss what great leadership really looks like, why putting people before product creates stronger teams, and how M&S successfully reinvented itself by taking bigger design risks while staying true to its customer. Whether you're just starting your buying career or leading a large team, Alex shares honest advice on building resilience, backing yourself when opportunities arise, and why there are no shortcuts to becoming a great buyer- the foundations you build early on will shape the rest of your career. Three Key Takeaways 1. There isn't one route into buying. Alex's journey from French teacher to Product Director is proof that successful buyers don't all follow the same path. Curiosity, resilience, commercial instinct and a willingness to learn can be just as valuable as a traditional retail background. 2. Great buyers put people first. The strongest leaders create environments where teams feel supported, trusted and empowered to grow. Alex shares why authenticity, mentorship and building genuine relationships have been at the heart of her leadership style throughout her career. 3. Buying is more complex than ever before. Today's buyers are responsible for far more than selecting products. From managing global supply chains and sustainability to balancing data with creativity and leading cross-functional teams, the role has evolved into one of the most varied and strategic positions in retail. Support the show If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) - and if you already have, thank you! It honestly really helps to keep this going and growing! Follow us @buyingandbeyond on Instagram Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk Autumn fair coffee meet up - come and meet us at Autumn fair at our coffee meet up and podcast live, see link below for all the details on how to sign up: https://www.autumnfair.com/buying-beyond?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=buying_beyond_channels&utm_campaign=buying_beyond If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300060/support

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  Episode #7

  S10 E7: Why Everyone Thinks Their Product Needs More Space With Retail Analyst Nayaa Owusu

  Aug 11, 202649 minS10

  In this episode, we sit down with Nayaa Owusu, a retail analyst and solutions developer at OSP Retail, to dig into one of the most contested topics in retail: shelf space. Anyone who's worked in buying or merchandising knows how heated the debate over category space can get, every team feels their products deserve more room, and decisions are often driven as much by gut feeling and internal politics as by hard evidence. Naya brings a rare dual perspective to this conversation: she spent years on the merchandising side at major brands like Debenhams, Peloton, and Lipsy, living through exactly these space battles firsthand, before crossing over into retail tech to help build the tools that solve them. Before moving into software, Nayaa first started out on the shop floor in roles at Topshop, Selfridges, and River Island while studying maths at university. That analytical foundation, combined with genuine hands-on retail experience, set her up for a merchandising career spanning beauty at Debenhams, international operations at Peloton during its explosive pandemic-era growth, and commercial/business analysis at Lipsy. Today, she's part of the team at OSP Retail building Macro Space Optimization (MSO), a data-driven platform that helps retailers make smarter, less emotional decisions about how they allocate space across categories and stores. In this conversation, we explore how Nayaa's varied background shaped her approach to solving one of retail's oldest arguments, what MSO actually does under the hood, and why data-not gut feel alone, is becoming the deciding factor in how stores are laid out. Three Key Takeaways: 1) Data removes the emotion and bias from space planning. Buyers and merchandisers are naturally attached to their categories ("gut feeling" and personal relationships with brands can skew decisions), but tools like MSO base space allocation on actual customer data rather than assumption- while still allowing manual overrides when needed. 2) Store clustering reveals patterns you wouldn't expect from broad averages. Grouping stores by similar customer behavior (rather than just size or region) uncovers surprising insights like cat products outperforming dog products in London versus the rest of the UK. 3) Space planning should happen earlier in the buying process, not as an afterthought. Traditionally, ranges are built first and then squeezed onto shelves; bringing space considerations in at the buying stage (rather than fitting products to space later) leads to better commercial outcomes. If you would like to hear more about how OSP could help you with your space challenges- drop us a message and we can put you in contact with the team. Support the show If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) - and if you already have, thank you! It honestly really helps to keep this going and growing! Follow us @buyingandbeyond on Instagram Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk Autumn fair coffee meet up - come and meet us at Autumn fair at our coffee meet up and podcast live, see link below for all the details on how to sign up: https://www.autumnfair.com/buying-beyond?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=buying_beyond_channels&utm_campaign=buying_beyond If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300060/support

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  Episode #6

  S10 E6 Why ADHD Can Be a Superpower in Buying with Talia Winetroube

  Aug 4, 202647 minS10

  In this episode, we sit down with Talia Winetroube, who spent over 12 years building a career in fashion and accessories buying at retailers including Next, House of Fraser, and Stitch Fix. While excelling in the fast-paced world of retail buying, Talia was diagnosed with ADHD - an experience that reshaped her understanding of herself and ultimately led her to become a certified ADHD coach. We dive into her buying career journey, the realities of receiving a late ADHD diagnosis while working at a senior level, and how she now helps ambitious professionals and organizations build more neuro-inclusive workplaces. Three Key Takeaways: 1) ADHD traits can be a hidden superpower in buying. Strong pattern recognition, hyperfocus, natural rapport-building, and a constant stream of new ideas all fed into Talia's success as a buyer - even as she battled a "boom and bust" cycle of overworking and burnout behind the scenes. 2) Small, individualized accommodations make the biggest difference. Support doesn't require big budgets or formal programs - simple things like shared meeting agendas, clear deadlines, body doubling, and breaking tasks into smaller steps can transform how someone with ADHD thrives at work. 3) Manager awareness and psychological safety are essential. With an estimated 15–20% of the workforce being neurodivergent, retail and other fast-paced industries have a real opportunity and responsibility to train managers to recognize ADHD patterns as neurological rather than a lack of effort, and to create environments where people feel safe to ask for what they need. You can find out more about all the amazing work Talia is doing here: Coaching https://www.taliawinetroubecoaching.co.uk/ @taliawinetroubeadhdcoaching Training https://www.neurodiversityintheworkplace.co.uk/ Support the show If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) - and if you already have, thank you! It honestly really helps to keep this going and growing! Follow us @buyingandbeyond on Instagram Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300060/support

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  Episode #5

  S10 EP 5 The Stories Shaping Retail with Gabriele Dirvanauskas, Drapers Deputy Editor

  Jul 28, 202646 minS10

  Drapers has been the trusted voice of the fashion retail industry for nearly 140 years, connecting leaders, breaking news, and shaping conversations across print, digital, and social. In this episode, we sit down with Gabriele Dirvanauskas, Deputy Editor at Drapers, to get a front-row look at how the publication covers the biggest stories in retail and what's really happening behind the scenes for the people who work in it. Gabi takes us through her own path into fashion journalism - from a work experience placement at Marks & Spencer's press office, to cutting her teeth at the Sun newspaper, to her current role at Drapers covering everything from leadership shake-ups to shop floor culture. From there, the conversation turns to one of the year's biggest talking points: Drapers' recent salary survey, which has ignited a wider industry conversation about pay, support, and transparency for buyers, merchandisers, and designers alike. We also get into how AI is changing (and not changing) the buying role, and why face-to-face industry events are more important than ever. Three Key Takeaways Retail buying salaries don't reflect the growing responsibility of the role. Drapers' salary survey found 71.2% of respondents don't think their pay reflects their responsibilities, and only 17.2% believe their salary is fair. As teams shrink and channels multiply (global sourcing, multi-channel selling, social media competition), workloads have grown - but compensation hasn't kept pace. Transparency and support matter as much as pay. Beyond salary, respondents called for clearer pay bands, better maternity conditions, flexible working, and stronger support from leadership. Many buyers feel too intimidated to ask for raises, and businesses often lack transparency about what the next career step actually requires. AI can't replace the human side of buying - but it's reshaping entry-level roles. While AI tools are improving efficiency across retail, we all agree AI cannot replace the judgment, relationships, and hands-on experience buyers bring. The bigger risk is losing entry-level positions, which cuts off the pipeline of new talent learning the ropes. Drapers are offering our listeners a 30% discount off an annual subscription, use the link below to claim yours: https://subscribe.drapersonline.com/dragd30/ Support the show If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) - and if you already have, thank you! It honestly really helps to keep this going and growing! Follow us @buyingandbeyond on Instagram Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300060/support

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  Episode #4

  S10 E4 Why Consistency Is The Silver Bullet with Fran Pittaway, CEO at Biscuiteers

  Jul 22, 202653 minS10

  In this episode, we chat to Fran Pittaway, CEO of Biscuiteers, the UK's original hand-iced biscuit gifting brand. Fran's career path is anything but conventional - from working in TV production at the BBC, to building the first-ever buying team at Children in Need, to spending nearly a decade shaping the commercial strategy at Not On The High Street, and finally stepping into the C-suite at Biscuiteers. Throughout the conversation, Fran shares candid stories from her career, including the chaos behind the scenes of Children in Need's telethon, how Not On The High Street navigated the explosive rise of competitors like Etsy, and what it's really like stepping into a CEO role after years in commercial leadership. She also opens up about what makes Biscuiteers special - from its iconic hand-painted packaging and icing café in Notting Hill, to the meticulous "biscuits per hour" production process behind its beloved treats. Fran's story is a masterclass in following curiosity over a rigid plan, building genuine relationships at any scale, and staying true to a brand's roots even when the market shifts around you. Three Key Takeaways: 1) A non-linear career can still lead to strategic leadership. Fran didn't start in buying - she moved from BBC production and commercial partnerships into building Children in Need's first-ever buying team and online shop from scratch, proving that strong commercial instincts and relationship-building matter more than a traditional career blueprint. 2) The same relationship principles scale up or down. Whether working with major retailers like Asda and Debenhams or small independent brands on Not On The High Street, Fran found that honesty, trust, and understanding the customer are what make commercial partnerships work - regardless of business size. 3) Consistency beats chasing trends. Reflecting on Not On The High Street's challenges competing with Etsy and other marketplaces, Fran emphasizes that brands need to stay true to their core audience and USP rather than knee-jerk reacting to competitors - a philosophy she's now applying to grow Biscuiteers. Support the show If you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) - and if you already have, thank you! It honestly really helps to keep this going and growing! Follow us @buyingandbeyond on Instagram Send us a DM or email hello@buyingandbeyond.co.uk We also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.uk If you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300060/support

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