Beauty Buyers need to keep their finger on the pulse of what their customers want in terms of health and beauty products and the prices they’re going to be prepared to pay for these. They achieve this by analysing high street trends, inviting customer feedback, devouring trade magazines, talking to front line shop floor beauty consultants and conducting competitor analysis.

Beauty buyers are also keen on predicting the best sellers of tomorrow. Cosmetic lines have to evolve if the company is to remain competitive. A beauty buyer will therefore be proactive in seeking new groundbreaking products to display.

Armed with the knowledge of what their target audience wants the beauty buyer has to source suitable suppliers for these fragrances, cosmetics or beauty products.

Once the beauty products start to be sold the buyer will be responsible for analysing sales stats from the stores to evaluate the sales performance of all the various product lines. Their job is to manage the inventory and maximise the profitability of the retail operation by optimising it. For example, if a skincare range is selling particularly well then the buyer will need to anticipate when it needs replenishing and at what quantity.