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Retail Buying Simulation

Short description: This project shows the role of an assistant retail buyer for Nordstrom, focusing specifically on the Girls’ Sweater Department across three regional store locations: Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, GA; Green Hills in Nashville, TN; and SouthPark in Charlotte, NC. 

Mission Statement

At Nordstrom, our young customer department is dedicated to curating high-quality pieces that help every child feel confident, comfortable, and celebrated. We strive to offer playful yet polished styles that reflect the evolving tastes of our consumer, while upholding Nordstrom’s legacy of exceptional service and joyful shopping experience for families. 

Skills Acquired 

  • Assortment Planning

  • Trend & Consumer Analysis

  • Financial Planning & Budgeting

  • Vendor & Brand Collaboration

  • Event Concept

  • Data & Math Application

Consumer Profile

Store #750: Southpark in Charlotte, NC

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  • Average Age of Purchaser: 35–45 (parents shopping for their 6–14 child)

  • Average Family Income: $130,221 per year

  • Average Purchase in Dollars: $43

  • Fashion Attitude: moderately trend-focus and value high-quality and durable clothing

  • Colors: soft elegance color (soft pinks, dusty blues, sage, cream) with occasional pops of colors. 

  • Advertising: heavily on social media

  • Style: blend classic and modern style, chic and quiet luxury aesthetic

  • Lifestyle - Population percentage in children: 25%

Trend Forecasting A/W 

Bold Colors & Playful Graphic

Bright and graphic with fun motifs (animals, nature, snacks) sweaters. Key materials include soft cotton and acrylic blends. Core bold colors are hot pink, yellow, blue, and mint for a joyful look.

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GAP

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Abercrombie

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Abercrombie

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Birinit

Understanding Competition

Macy’s Old Orchard

Neiman Marcus Online

Macy’s attracts middle-income families and suburban shoppers with seasonal sales, loyalty rewards, and themed displays. Their niche is a full-line department store offering fashion, beauty, and home goods, with key categories like women’s apparel, cosmetics, and shoes. Pricing matches competitors with frequent discounts—girls’ sweaters range $32.95–$36.95. A takeaway is their bundled discounts with styling tips to boost seasonal sweater sales.

Neiman Marcus targets affluent shoppers seeking luxury and exclusivity, enticing them with designer drops, personalized recommendations, and loyalty perks. Their niche is high-end fashion and lifestyle, supported by premium branding and concierge-style service. Core categories include designer apparel, shoes, handbags, and beauty, with sweaters priced $48–$590. Nordstrom could adopt their “editor’s pick” feature to highlight seasonal sweater trends.

Six Month Plan

Assortment Plan

Justification

My key vendors are Hope & Henry, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nordstrom Kids, and Tucker + Tate making up 70% of the girls’ apparel assortment. This reflects a balance of classic style, quality, value and best sellers. Additionally, I have allocated 20% to other vendors who provide variety in both price and style, ensuring customers have options that reflect diverse tastes and aesthetics. Finally, 10% is reserved for new vendors that align with my target customer’s values and style preferences. This allocation allows me to test emerging labels, bringing fresh energy and innovation to the assortment.

Advertising Calendar

July 11 (Sat.) – Hope & Henry

  • Guest Speaker + Kids Activities

  • Budget: $4,376.33

  • Hope & Henry guest speaker shares sustainability & styling tips while kids enjoy a sweater coloring station and photo booth.

August 18 – Polo Ralph Lauren

  • Back‑to‑School Monogram Embroidery

  • Budget: $3,646.94

  • Kids customize sweaters with monogram embroidery for confidence on the first day. 

September 11 – Nordstrom Kids

  • Upcycling Sweater Workshop

  • Budget: $2,674.43

  • Families refresh old sweaters with patches & trims, teaching sustainability.

October 25 – Tucker + Tate

  • Spooky Sweater Customization

  • Budget: $4,376.33

  • Kids add glow‑in‑the‑dark embroidery & spooky patches to sweaters.

November 11 – Hope & Henry

  • Winter Sweater Fashion Show

  • Budget: $5,348.85

  • Runway event showcasing cozy, stylish sweaters for school & holidays

December 18 – Polo Ralph Lauren

  • Holiday Sweater Customization

  • Budget: $3,890.07

  • Sweaters personalized with festive motifs, gift wrapping & message cards included.

Product Development

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Style # 457211
Cost: $24.00
Retail: $68.00

Oversize Sweater
Color: soft cream with multicolor embroidery
Fabric: 55% Organic Cotton / 30% Recycled Wool / 15% Recycled Polyester 

This sweater was designed in collaboration with Hope & Henry for the Nordstrom kids department. Hope & Henry’s sustainable, timeless children’s apparel aligns with Nordstrom’s commitment to quality and community. Designed for Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte markets, this sweater blends playful charm with refined details. Its cream knit base offers a polished look, while lavender, coral, and dusty blue embroidery add joyful color. Soft, cozy, and eco-friendly, it appeals to parents seeking comfort and conscious shopping. It’s perfect for school, family outings, and the oversized knit trend.

10% of sweater proceeds support One Warm Coat, a nonprofit providing free coats to children and adults. By redistributing gently used coats, it keeps families warm while promoting sustainability through reuse.

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