The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Subject Description Form
Subject Code
ITC3861
Subject Title
Fashion Retail Buying
Credit Value
3
Level
3
Pre-requisite /
Co-requisite/
Exclusion
Pre-requisite: Fashion Retailing Principles (ITC2890)
Objectives
Intended Learning
Outcomes
The subject aims to help students to acquire knowledge of the discipline
of fashion buying as well as to explore current global and local issues in
retail buying. This subject will seek to enhance the development of
students’ global awareness, critical and analytical thinking and
communication skills.
Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
a. describe the fundamentals of the buying process and integrate the
knowledge towards fashion retailing principles;
b. analyze buying principles, procedures and techniques to enhance
merchandising/buying decisions;
c. formulate and implement strategies for effective fashion buying to
contribute to the success of the fashion retailer;
d. develop creativity towards solving issues in fashion buying in the
marketplace;
e. develop research, communication and presentation skills;
f. acquire experience in teamwork approach and skills towards solving
problems.
Subject Synopsis/
Indicative Syllabus
(I)
Introduction to Fashion Retail Buying
Basic concepts and overview of retail buying
Buying for different types of retail institutions
(II)
The Fundamentals of Fashion Buying
Understanding the fashion consumers
Fashion buying preparation and forecast
Planning and control of merchandise assortment
Seasonal sales plan and buy plan
Open-to-buy analysis
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Teaching/Learning
Methodology
Assessment Methods
in Alignment with
Intended Learning
Outcomes
(III)
The Merchandise Management
Financial aspects of merchandising plan
Merchandise budget plan
Inventory management
(IV)
The Merchandise Strategies
Product development strategy
Testing of new merchandise
Private label and import programs
Ordering and the replenishment process
End of season merchandise strategies
Pricing strategies and practice
(V)
The Sourcing Strategies
The global marketplace
Evaluating and buying from domestic or foreign markets
Fashion markets review
Buyer / Vendor relationship and negotiation
(VI)
Current trends and research issues
Case studies of buying strategies of fashion retailers
Research and analysis of current trends
Dynamic changes in fashion buying of retail environment
Problem based learning approach will be adopted to facilitate problem
solving skills and analytical ability of the students. Students are required
to do projects and case studies to help them integrate knowledge of the
industry. Lectures are structured to convey theories and concepts for the
discipline of fashion buying. Workshops are designed to supplement
lectures to facilitate learning. Seminars are used to develop critical
thinking ability towards practical issues of fashion buying. Based on
interactive teaching and learning approach, students will be assessed
individually by continuous coursework and term paper.
Specific assessment
methods/tasks
%
weighting
Intended subject learning outcomes
to be assessed (Please tick as
appropriate)
a
b
c
d
e
f


1. Coursework
50 %




2. Examination
50 %




Total
100 %
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In the Coursework part, students will be guided by a tutor to explore
current issues in fashion retail buying. There will also be hands-on
sessions for the use of quantitative models in budgeting and buying.
Students will also have the opportunity to develop their presentation skills
for some of the planned workshops.
There will be one major project handled by the allocated groups to
simulate a real buying situation, where they will need to reference all they
have learnt from the lectures and tutorials. Working together will develop
individual and group research, critical and analytical thinking skills and
meets the objectives set out in the ILO.
Student Study
Effort Expected
Class contact:

Lecture/Workshop
28 Hrs.

Seminar/Project
14 Hrs.
Other student study effort:

Self Reading
26 Hrs.

Project Work
28 Hrs.
Total student study effort
Reading List and
References
96 Hrs.
Essential
Clodfelter, R. 3rd Edition. Retail Buying: from From Basics to Fashion.
Fairchild Publications
Diamond, J. & Pintel, G. 8th Edition Retail Buying. NJ: Prentice Hall.
Donnellan, J. 3rd Edition Merchandise Buying and Management. NY:
Fairchild Publications.
Tepper, B.K. & Godnick, N.E. (2000). Mathematics for Retail Buying.
NY: Fairchild Publications.
Supplementary
Bohlinger, M. S., 5th Edition. Merchandise Buying. NY: Fairchild
Publications.
Cash, R.P., Thomas, C., Wingate, J.W., & Friedlander, J.S. (2005).
Management of Retail Buying. NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Goworek, H., (2007) Fashion Buying, Blackwell Science.
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Levy, M. & Weitz, B.A. (2011).
McGrawHill.
Retailing Management. Irwin
Journals
Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management
Journal of Marketing
Journal of Retailing
Periodicals
Women’s Wear Daily
Inside Fashion
Draper’s Record
Vogue-UK, US, French & Italian Editions
Elle
Marie Claire
GQ
Fruit
Milk
Websites
www.stylesight.com
www.wgsn.com
www.wwd.com
www.sartorialist.com
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