NEXT TRAINEE SCHEME

Stand out from the crowd...

Welcome

NEXT TRAINEE SCHEME

TRAINEE SCHEME

About Next

Top 2 High Street Retailer

TRAINEE SCHEME

Biggest On Line Clothing Retailer In Europe

Childrenswear Market Leader

Over 550 Retail Stores

Over 3m Directory Customers

Approx 45,000 Employees

Turnover over £3 billion

TRAINEE SCHEME

But did you also know that…

There are an average of 278,000 transactions per day in our stores in the UK & Republic of Ireland

TRAINEE SCHEME

There are an average of 56,000 transactions per day in Next DirectoryWe work with 600 suppliersThe products we sell are produced in 46 countries

TRAINEE SCHEME

Key Strategy

Great Product

TRAINEE SCHEME

Investment in the Brand

More Newness

Fast Track From Design To Store

Profitable New Space

Good Cost Control

TRAINEE SCHEME

Investment in the BrandTRAINEE SCHEME

Growth of Home StoresTRAINEE SCHEME

Home ‘Standalone’ Stores

2009 2010 2011 2012e

No. of Stores 19 31 43 45

Turnover £66m£104

m£125

m£132

m

Profit £12m £19m £23m £24m

Did you know about our other business interests?

TRAINEE SCHEME

Lipsy

1990 Young British fashion brand founded in Central London

2008 Acquired by Next Plc in 2008

2010 Pixie Lott designed 4 ranges for Lipsy

2011 Lipsy ‘shop in shop’ website live on www.next.co.uk

2012 Lipsy stores in the Middle East/ USA

TRAINEE SCHEME

TRAINEE SCHEME

Official supplier to the London 2012 Olympics

1,100 Team GB athlete’s opening & closing ceremony outfits & formalwear

600 Paralympics Team GB athlete’s opening & closing ceremony outfits & formalwear

4,500 technical official’s uniforms

172,000 Next branded ponchos

All bedlinen for the athlete’s village

TRAINEE SCHEME

So what roles do we offer at entry level?

BUYER MERCHANDISER DESIGNER TECHNOLOGIST

ASSISTANT ASSISTANT ASSISTANT

TRAINEETRAINEE

DIRECTOR/ MANAGER

TRAINEE SCHEME

What is Buying?

BUYER MERCHANDISER DESIGNER TECHNOLOGIST

ASSISTANT ASSISTANT ASSISTANT

TRAINEETRAINEE

DIRECTOR/ MANAGER

Using creative skills to source and develop a range in conjunction with the design and technology teams, that includes all key trends in colour, shape, fabric, print and style

Using business skills and input from the Merchandising teams to produce a range that represents value for money for both customer and retailer

TRAINEE SCHEME

The Buyer

BUYER MERCHANDISER DESIGNER TECHNOLOGIST

ASSISTANT ASSISTANT ASSISTANT

TRAINEETRAINEE

DIRECTOR/MANAGER

Using information from current and historical sales with forecasted trends to build a range for the Next customer Select the Right Garment

• Fabric

• Colour

• Style

Source the Garment

• Quality

• Price

• Lead Time

TRAINEE SCHEME

What is Product Merchandising?

BUYER MERCHANDISER DESIGNER TECHNOLOGIST

ASSISTANT ASSISTANT ASSISTANT

TRAINEETRAINEE

Using analytical skills to set budgets, plan options and plan production for future season

Using business skills to maximize profit in season by ensuring the right product is in the right place, at the right time, in the right quality and at the right price

DIRECTOR/ MANAGER

TRAINEE SCHEME

Merchandising – The Process

BUYER MERCHANDISER DESIGNER TECHNOLOGIST

ASSISTANT ASSISTANT ASSISTANT

TRAINEETRAINEE

DIRECTOR/ MANAGERStrategy – Pricing, Supplier, Customer

Manage supplier relationships

Stock control

Lead times/Intake Phasing

Forecasting sales

Trading

Ranking the product

TRAINEE SCHEME

Now your chance to rate our product!

Red

1-5Purple

6-10 Green

11-20

TRAINEE SCHEME

Have you ever thought about how products get to store?

PRODUCT LAUNCHProgressingRange Selection

Range PlanningProduct DevelopmentDesign Inspiration

Range Building

Design Inspiration

Global inspirational travel to key cities

Presentations from trend agencies

Key fabric trade fairs

Garment fairs and catwalk updates

Design Team

TRAINEE SCHEME

TRAINEE SCHEME

Design Inspiration

Catwalk

History

Product DevelopmentTRAINEE SCHEME

Fabric selection

Develop design packs

Trims development

Graphic development

Travel to factories (reserve production)

Samples produced

Range PlanningTRAINEE SCHEME

Allocate items to key stories

Identify suitable suppliers/factories

Decide on key shapes/fit

Outline sales budget

TRAINEE SCHEME

Range BuildingTRAINEE SCHEME

Have all samples back from Suppliers

Finalise number of items in the rangeBuying and Merchandising Teams build range:

Rank items

Price negotiation

• End use• Customer profile• Key fashion direction• Balance of price points

TRAINEE SCHEME

Price NegotiationTRAINEE SCHEME

Target margin

Challenge the factoriesChallenge the mills e.g. cross sampling

Volume fabrics/Yarns

Factory quiet times

TRAINEE SCHEME

SelectionTRAINEE SCHEME

Design overview and recap

Merchandiser proposes sales budget

Identify key growth areas

Current season overview

Buyer presents product

Sign off the range (hopefully!!)

TRAINEE SCHEME

ProgressingTRAINEE SCHEME

Approve colour/fabric/trims

Review sales in line with selected range

Review visual merchandising with Marketing team

Confirm delivery dates

TRAINEE SCHEME

And finally...

Product Launch

The Next Trainee Programme

So what do the positions involve?TRAINEE SCHEME

Trainee Buyers

• Assist the Buyer and Assistant Buyer in developing a range• Approve trims• Manage samples• Arrange product for meetings

Trainee Merchandisers

• Review Best Seller reports • Progress product through to delivery• Generate reports for meetings• Manage Mock Shop samples

TRAINEE SCHEME

What does the application process look like?

TRAINEE SCHEME

Apply online

Online Ability Test

Video interview

Telephone interview

Assessment Centre

Agree start date!

TRAINEE SCHEME

Some hints and tips for applying online...TRAINEE SCHEME

• Concentrate on one application at a time

• Do your research on us and our competitors

• Be passionate about the role you’re applying for on the application form

• Think about the job and the company you are applying forApply online

Online testing...TRAINEE SCHEME

Online Ability Test

• Verbal and Numerical Reasoning Tests

• A quiet area to concentrate is essential

• You must over the 30%ile to get through to next round

• Practice! Practice! Practice!

Telephone interview tips…TRAINEE SCHEME

Video /Telephone interview

• Research the role

• Check the website and familiarise yourself with the Brand

• Use your tone of voice to show your enthusiasm

• Speak clearly and concisely

• Be in a quiet place so we can hear you

• Back up your statements with examples from work and Uni

• Be yourself

TRAINEE SCHEME

Assessment Centre hints and tips...

Assessment Centre

• Think about your body language– be confident with plenty of eye contact

• Do not stay quiet during group/team working tasks!!

• Buyers – practice your percentages!

– We are here to test all of your skills as a future buyer and not just trend knowledge

• There is no dress code, so express yourself!

TRAINEE SCHEME

TRAINEE SCHEME

What do we want from you?TRAINEE SCHEME

Total commitment from day one!

Passion drive and determination

Understanding of our customer

Product Flair and market awareness

Ambition!

TRAINEE SCHEME

What does your career path look like?TRAINEE SCHEME

Trainee 12 – 18 months

Assistant 3 – 5 years

Buyer/Merchandiser

TRAINEE SCHEME

Training and Development

Regular performance reviews

Structured 18 month programme

Product Development School

Clearly defined development path

TRAINEE SCHEMETRAINEE SCHEME

The Benefits

Staff discount!

Staff shop!

Subsidised restaurant

S.A.Y.E. (Save As You Earn) scheme

Pension after 6 months service

Childcare vouchers

NEXT TRAINEE SCHEME

Thank you. Any questions?

THE TRAINEE SCHEME

Stand out from the crowd...