LOVE LOCAL
As soft furnishings buyer at Glasswells, Sarah Woodvine’s daily responsibilities are many and varied A day in the life of…
9 am: Starting the day together I start my day with a catch-up with the soft furnishings team. As we are a seven-day trading business, there is always plenty happening, so it’s important that everyone knows what is going on. We talk through our priorities, new products and handovers from the previous day, making sure everyone is clear on what needs to be achieved. 10 am: What’s new? I spend some time looking at what’s new and what’s needed to improve our current range. I am always keeping an eye on upcoming trends (awnings and heat-prevention window dressing have been the standout winners of this summer!) and thinking about what will work for our Glasswells customers. I also speak to suppliers about new products and upcoming ranges, helping me plan ahead. 11 am: Time with suppliers Supplier meetings and calls are an important part of my day. I discuss new ranges, pricing, availability and deliveries, as well as reviewing samples and talking through what is coming up for the next season. Building strong relationships with suppliers helps us secure the best possible service, products and prices for our customers. 12 pm: Making the buying decisions This is when I make some of the key buying decisions, considering which products should make it into the Glasswells range. I look at current fashion trends alongside timeless designs that customers will continue to love. There is a lot to consider: I select and buy fabric, readymade curtains, cushions and throws, as well as deciding the manufacturers we work hand in hand with to supply bespoke pole and track systems and who we include in our large made-to-measure blind offering. Blinds are currently one of the biggest parts of the business, with motorisation becoming an increasingly important area. 1 pm: Keeping everything moving After a busy morning, I spend some time catching up on the day-to-day running of the department. I check in with
It’s a great way to see which products and promotions are proving popular and understand what customers are looking for. 3 pm: The numbers behind the buying There is also plenty of work behind the scenes looking at the numbers. I review sales, margins and product performance, looking at our bestsellers and identifying where ranges may need refreshing. It’s about making sure our buying decisions work commercially as well as visually. 4 pm: Priority hour As soft furnishings is a bespoke department, providing a personalised service is an important part of what we do. I spend time contacting customers following their purchases, keeping them updated and making sure everything is progressing as expected. Customer service is something we pride ourselves on, so maintaining that relationship throughout the customer journey is really important. 5 pm: What’s next? Before I finish for the day, I look ahead at my diary and make sure any necessary handovers are prepared. I revisit the team on the shop floor to check that client paperwork is complete and everything is back in order, leaving the department ready for another busy day.
the team, keep track of what is happening across the department and make sure everything is progressing as planned. It’s also a chance to catch up on any orders and deliveries and make sure everything is moving forward smoothly. 2 pm: A trip to the shop floor I like to spend time on the shop floor seeing how products and systems are performing. I check displays, speak with store teams and listen to customer feedback. PICK AND MIX Sarah’s role includes buying fabric, as well as curtains, cushions and throws, and partnering with blind manufacturers
glasswells.co.uk
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK OCTOBER 2026 77
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