Collection Planning
Collection planning is a key retail business process where professionals plan what products will be sold in stores for upcoming seasons. It involves deciding which styles, colors, and quantities to buy, considering factors like past sales, trends, and customer preferences. Think of it as creating a strategic roadmap for a store's merchandise - similar to how a restaurant plans its menu. This role combines creative fashion knowledge with practical business decision-making. Related terms include "range planning" or "merchandise planning," which all focus on ensuring stores have the right products at the right time.
Examples in Resumes
Led Collection Planning for women's wear department, resulting in 25% sales increase
Developed seasonal Collection Plans aligned with market trends and customer demand
Managed Collection Planning and Range Planning processes for multiple product categories
Typical job title: "Collection Planners"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Collection Planners
Professional Networks
Industry Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where sales data suggests discontinuing a product line, but it's a brand signature item?
Expected Answer: A strong answer should balance business metrics with brand identity considerations, suggest ways to refresh or reposition the product, and demonstrate experience in making strategic decisions that impact both sales and brand image.
Q: Describe how you would develop a collection plan for a new market entry.
Expected Answer: Should discuss market research, competitive analysis, customer demographics, local preferences, pricing strategy, and how to adapt existing collections to new market needs while maintaining brand identity.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you use sales data to inform your collection planning decisions?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they analyze previous season's performance, identify trends in customer buying patterns, and use this information to make informed decisions about future collections.
Q: What factors do you consider when planning seasonal collections?
Expected Answer: Should mention weather patterns, fashion trends, customer feedback, historical sales data, price points, and competitor analysis.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the difference between a good-selling and poor-selling product?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic retail metrics like sell-through rates, margin, and stock turn, and how these indicate product performance.
Q: How would you ensure your collection plan stays within budget?
Expected Answer: Should show understanding of basic budgeting principles, cost calculations, and how to balance variety with inventory investment.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of retail seasons
- Knowledge of Excel and planning tools
- Understanding of basic retail metrics
- Ability to analyze sales reports
Mid (2-5 years)
- Trend analysis and forecasting
- Budget management
- Supplier relationship management
- Advanced retail metrics analysis
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic planning and forecasting
- Team leadership
- Market expansion planning
- Advanced business strategy
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of retail seasons and lead times
- Lack of analytical skills or data interpretation ability
- No experience with retail planning software or Excel
- Poor understanding of basic retail metrics and KPIs
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