Fiona Chautard

Biography

Fiona has over 20 years’ experience working in retail, both as a designer working directly with buyers of high street retail brands such as Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Topshop and River Island, and also as a buyer responsible for sourcing and developing own label products for independent retailers with between 20 and 100 shops.

She has also worked with buyers from international retailers and brands, selling through trade fairs both in the UK and abroad and she has experience of direct sourcing for retail from Europe and the Far East.

Fiona runs her own consultancy practice offering advice on all aspects of developing products to suit a retail marketplace.

Fiona has an MBA in Retailing from Stirling University and has a keen interest in emerging retail and marketing trends both in the UK and internationally which she is constantly monitoring for her own consultancy.

Expertise

• What the retailer expects from the designer/seller
• Understanding retail seasonality and the retail buying calendar
• How to approach a retailer, including preparation for an appointment
• Understanding retail price points and margins
• How to negotiate with a buyer, looking at factors such as quantities, exclusivity, economies of manufacturing scale
• Understanding the relevance of retail and marketing trends, including online sales
• Benefits of selling through a retailer versus online sales