Graduate Trainee in Buying
“I studied Marketing, Advertising and Communication at the University of Gloucestershire and am now on the buying graduate scheme.
I’m from Bristol and my first four months were in Swansea store. One of the highlights of my retail attachment was getting involved in a local charity day where the whole region got together to redecorate a local community hall.
When I moved into buying I became head office based and moved to Nottingham – for its great shopping and nightlife! I was placed in the FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) category within health and beauty. As the name suggests, this is a fast paced environment where you have to hit the ground running or be left behind! I’ve been able to really develop my commercial acumen and my influencing and communication skills through liaising with a large portfolio of suppliers.
I have also experienced working within the merchandising department, which has been focused around improving shopper experience and driving category profit. During my attachment I have personally led a merchandising trial which has been implemented within our stores, this has entailed creative thinking, liaising with suppliers, creating point of sale and networking around the business.
The opportunity to move around the business has been great, helping me see how the business works cross functionally. My journey so far has allowed me to follow a path from sourcing the product to the visual displays and shopper experience to the product reaching the shop floor, and I’ve still got another three placements to go!”
