Buying and Merchandising for Home and Lifestyle Online Short Course

The Buying and Merchandising for Home and Lifestyle Online Short Course aims to give students an insight into the buyers and merchandisers of furniture, lighting, textile, kitchenwear and more. During the course, students gain an insight into the tools and strategies used in the industry by working on a series of practical projects, reviewing case studies and participating in class discussions. The course helps students develop an eye for interior trends, and learn how to develop and sell a range of interior and homeware products. Several topics are covered including customer profiling, range planning and building, visual merchandising, trends and design concepts. By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of: • The key elements of the role of a buyer and merchandiser • The buying process: why some retailers succeed and some don't • How fashion and design trends influence the home • Brand identity: branded homewares versus bespoke products • What a range plan is / how it works • Customer profiling • Decision making and problem solving within a competitive industry