Fashion Buying Course
Designed & created by leading fashion professionals.
Develop key fashion buying skills to shape successful collections.
This online course in fashion buying introduces the essential tools and knowledge to plan assortments, manage budgets, analyse consumer trends, and collaborate effectively with design, merchandising, and retail teams. You’ll learn how buying decisions drive both profitability and brand identity in today’s competitive market.
Drawing from the expertise of senior fashion and luxury professionals, this course will help you master the buying process, from product selection and range planning to negotiations and performance analysis.
By the end of this fashion buying course, you will be able to confidently plan, evaluate, and manage buying strategies that align with customer needs and business goals.
Next start date
⇢ Live virtual classroom on October 23rd, 2025 at 3PM GMT
⇢ Start any time: course available on-demand from October 24th
COURSE DURATION
⇢ 2 Hours + 0.5 hours practice
Delivery format
Online live virtual classroom via Zoom
Online Practice exercise in Excel or Google Sheet with teacher feedback
Language: English Subtitles: English and Italian
Course Price
€ 75
Certification
Certificate of attendance
COMMITMENT
2.5 hours
Why take the Fashion Buying course
Fashion buyers play a crucial role in shaping collections and ensuring commercial success. Whether you are an entrepreneur, merchandiser, or aspiring buyer, this course gives you the tools to make informed buying decisions that strengthen brand performance.
- Learn to plan and select product ranges that align with brand positioning
- Master forecasting and budgeting techniques to manage Open-To-Buy (OTB)
- Understand how to analyse sales data and adapt future buying strategies
Fashion Buying Course Programme
Module 1: Introduction to Fashion Buying & Range Planning
- The role of the buyer in fashion and luxury retail
- Market research and consumer demand analysis
- Assortment and range planning principles
- Case Study: Best practices in fashion buying
Module 2: Forecasting, Budgeting & Open-To-Buy (OTB)
- Sales forecasting and trend prediction
- Budget management and OTB control
- Aligning financial planning with seasonal buying cycles
Module 3: Supplier Relations & Negotiation
- Building long-term supplier relationships
- Negotiating pricing, lead times, and quality standards
- Managing risk and ensuring supply chain efficiency
Module 4: Performance Analysis & Buying Review
- Measuring sell-through and profitability
- Markdown and inventory management
- Using data insights to improve future buying decisions
Fashion Buying Learning Outcomes
After completing this fashion buying course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the full buying process within fashion retail and luxury brands
- Plan assortments that reflect both customer demand and brand identity
- Apply OTB and forecasting techniques to manage budgets effectively
- Negotiate confidently with suppliers and manage vendor relations
- Analyse sales results and adapt strategies for future collections
Fashion Buying Online Course Certificate of attendance
Get certified in Fashion Buying
Obtaining a Fashion Buying certification will strengthen your professional profile and help you stand out when applying for roles in retail, merchandising, and brand management.
DFA Certificates and Digital Badges are an official recognition of your new skills. You can add them to your CV and showcase them on LinkedIn and other professional networks.
Who is the Fashion Buying course for?
This online course is designed for professionals at different career stages:
- Aspiring and junior fashion buyers who want to build core knowledge
- Merchandisers and product managers expanding their buying expertise
- Retail professionals aiming to move into buying roles
- Entrepreneurs and fashion designers who want to understand the commercial buying process
- Graduates seeking an entry point into fashion buying and merchandising
Meet your instructors
Fashion Buying instructor: Sabrina Compagno
Sabrina is a Fashion Buying & Merchandising Consultant with over 20 years of experience in the luxury and contemporary fashion industry. She worked for 13 years at YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP. She works with both brands and retailers, helping them define product strategy, optimise assortments, and align creativity with commercial goals. Passionate about education, she teaches post-diploma courses and workshops, guiding students to develop both analytical and creative skills to thrive in today’s fast-changing fashion landscape. She specialises in
- Market and Trend Analysis: Constantly monitor market trends, consumer preferences, and competitor movements to anticipate customer needs
- Assortment Planning and Development: Create and manage assortment plans, taking into account seasonality, past sales, and trend forecasts
- Supplier Selection and Negotiation: Identify and select the most suitable suppliers, negotiate prices, payment terms, and delivery schedules
- Inventory and Logistics Management: Optimize inventory levels to avoid both overstocking and stockouts
- Pricing and Promotions: Determine pricing strategies for each product, considering profit margins and market competitiveness.
What our students say
This course is new and it will be held for the first edition on the next October 23rd, 2025. However you can read reviews of other courses by digital fashion academy here. But you can read reviews about our courses on Trustpilot
FAQs Fashion Buying Online Course
Can I start anytime?
The course will be held on Thursday October 23rd 2025 in a live virtual classroom. The course will be recorded and it will be available on-demand. You’ll be able to purchase it and study at your own pace from October 24th.
Is this course suitable for fashion designers?
Yes. Fashion designers benefit from learning the buying process to better align collections with consumer and commercial needs.
Is there a certification at the end?
Yes. Upon completion, you’ll receive a Certificate of Attendance which can be added to your CV and LinkedIn profile.
Is the course flexible for professionals with busy schedules?
Absolutely. You can study anytime and anywhere within 3 months of enrolment.
How long does the course take to complete?
The estimated completion time is less than 4 hours, but you can revisit the lessons as often as you like.
How can I enrol?
Simply purchase the course online. You’ll receive the link to connect to the live Virtual Classroom and the login credentials to access the elearning platform to take the course on-demand from October 24th.
Will I learn practical skills?
Yes. The course is designed by industry professionals and includes real case studies, practical examples, and exercises to consolidate learning.
In which languages is the course available?
The lessons are available in English, with English and Italian subtitles.
What time is the course in my country / timezone
| Timezone / Location | Local Time |
|---|---|
| UTC (GMT+0) | 2:00 PM |
| United Kingdom (BST / GMT+1) | 3:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CEST / UTC+2) | 4:00 PM |
| Eastern Europe / Moscow (EET / MSK / UTC+3) | 5:00 PM |
| Gulf Standard Time (UAE / UTC+4) | 6:00 PM |
| Pakistan (PKT / UTC+5) | 7:00 PM |
| India (IST / UTC+5:30) | 7:30 PM |
| China / Singapore (CST / SGT / UTC+8) | 10:00 PM |
| Japan (JST / UTC+9) | 11:00 PM |
| Australia (AEST / UTC+10) | |
| New Zealand (NZDT / UTC+13) |
Fashion Buying Course information requests
If you need to buy this course for your company or if you need further information you can send us a message through the form below