Fashion Forecasting
Fashion Forecasters Business consultants hired to help predict fashion trends as much as 18 months in advance Clients of fashion forecasters receive weekly or monthly predicted consumer trends
Reporting Services Organizations that report constantly changing market trends that will have an impact on the products that buyers will be purchasing
Resident Buying Offices Organizations that provide consulting services to retailers. Sometimes RBOs are owned by the retail corporation. Organizations located in major market areas for the purpose of providing buying advice and other market-related services
RBOs are Important Due to changing nature of fashion Group purchases Expense reduction Exclusive merchandise rights Pool of information and knowledge
Other Sources Internal Sources External Sources Employees Management Store Records External Sources Customers Magazines and Trade Publications Vendors Trade Associations Comparison Shoppers
The WHY of Forecasting Why is something happening? Why was it introduced? Why do consumers like it? Or why do they hate it?
The HOW of Forecasting Social, technological, economical, environmental, political arenas
Some Sources for You Fashionsnoops.com Fashiontrendsetters.com Style.com