Insight from a Bloomingdale's Buyer

I recently had the amazing opportunity to interview a buyer at Bloomingdale’s. I was very eager to speak with her because I am currently deciding between being a fashion merchandiser or being a buyer after I graduate.

I have previously spoken to a merchandiser within the industry, so I wanted to get a better understanding of what all being a buyer entails. 

Going into the interview, I was somewhat nervous. I didn’t know what to expect, but I did know that Bloomingdale’s is a highly respected company. While I was unsure about the path the interview would venture down, I was more confident than I have been for previous interviews because I was the one in control. I didn’t have to stress about what I would say because I had all my questions written out. The interview itself was very relaxed. She was very easy to talk to and seemed more laid back than I expected, which calmed my nerves. We talked about her specific role as a buyer for Bloomingdale’s and what her role looks like day-to-day within the company. As we went through my five major questions, I began to understand the world of a buyer through a different light. Hopefully, this small glimpse into the role of a buyer at Bloomingdales helps you learn more about what a buying position involves!

What is the most desirable quality a person can have when applying for jobs or internships?

“Curiosity, a positive attitude, and a diversified skill set. In order to stand out, come off as dynamic and willing to ask questions. Genuinely want to learn more, and show interest in whatever you’re applying for. Be able to take feedback and grow from it.”

What does a typical week look like for you?

“No week is very typical. I’m very focused on driving my businesses, looking at what is selling and how to get more of it. I want to know what strategies I can improve on to increase sales. I work with vendors a lot to achieve my sales goals and help our direct reports grow. I also put out a lot of small fires that pop up here and there.”

Does your personal opinion ever come into play when buying apparel, accessories, footwear, etc?

“Yeah, definitely. Every buyer will buy their brands differently because everyone has their own style point of view. But at the same time, we always try to use the history of what last year’s trends and successes look like. We also have style-outs, which is where all of the buyers come together to throw ideas around, share opinions, and show each other what we bought.”

How do you keep up with current trends and predict consumer behavior accurately?

“It’s really important that we keep our eyes peeled through social media, blogs, etc. Be able to see it, recognize it, then understand our customers’ personalities to know when they’ll react to a trend. Our fashion office also spends a big chunk of time looking at what’s hot, new brands, and understanding what’s going on in every demographic/psychographic.”

How does one begin efficiently making connections in the apparel industry?

“Be very involved and stay connected with the people you already know. Find ways to network and be very open to meeting new people. Go to launch parties where influencers will be at. Step out and make those connections.”