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Hi! We are Katy and Lynsey
Two former Heads of Buying who still get very excited about great product.
After more than 35 years combined in buying, we've spent our careers making buying decisions, building ranges and growing categories. Now, we use that experience to help brands and retailers solve problems, spot opportunities and build stronger businesses.
Whether we're helping a retailer launch a new category, supporting a brand to get buyer-ready, hosting a live podcast or mentoring the next generation of buyers, everything we do comes back to one thing...
Helping people build better retail businesses.
Why work with us?
Our approach is practical, collaborative and tailored to your business. Rather than delivering generic recommendations, we work closely with you to understand your objectives, overcome challenges and identify opportunities for growth. Combining commercial insight with hands-on buying experience, we focus on delivering solutions that are realistic, actionable and designed to make a lasting impact.
After all, retail is about people and we believe the best results come from working together.
Let's start the conversation
Whether you're looking to solve a commercial challenge, launch a new category, strengthen your buying strategy or explore how we could support your business, we'd love to hear from you.
Book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call and let's discuss your goals, your challenges and how we can help.
Beyond our consultancy
Our work has taken us from boardrooms and buying trips to podcast studios and trade show stages, giving us a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing retail today.
We're passionate about championing the buying profession and helping shape the future of retail through industry partnerships, events, mentoring and thought leadership.
Alongside our consultancy projects, you'll regularly find us:
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Supporting brands & retailers with commercial buying projects and strategic growth
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Hosting the Buying & Beyond podcast, featuring conversations with buyers, founders and retail leaders.
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Partnering with Autumn Fair, Top Drawer and Scotland's Trade Fair to host events, Buying Clinics and networking opportunities.
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Seminars for the Fashion Retail Academy.
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Writing for Drapers and sharing practical buying insight.
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Speaking at industry events, chairing panels and delivering workshops across the retail sector.
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Bought across 35+ product categories
Managed multi-million-pound departments
Worked with retailers including M&S, Accessorize, Moonpig, Hobbycraft and Dobbies
Launched thousands of products
Negotiated with suppliers around the world
Recorded 100+ podcast episodes
Built a community of retail buyers
Stayed endlessly curious about customers, products and what makes people buy.
Retail has taken us on quite the journey
Find out more about us
Lynsey Abbott
Lynsey is a senior buying leader with over sixteen years' experience shaping buying strategy, product development and sourcing for large retail businesses. Formerly Head of Home and Seasonal at Dobbies Garden Centres, she has built commercially successful ranges across home, seasonal, gifting & outdoor living.
Known for developing strong supplier partnerships and leading global sourcing strategies, Lynsey combines commercial insight with a practical, collaborative approach.
Through Buying and Beyond, she helps retailers and brands strengthen buying capability, refine product strategy and achieve sustainable growth.
Katy Norton
Katy is a strategic commercial leader with over sixteen years' experience delivering growth across design-led retail businesses. Formerly Head of Buying at Hobbycraft, and with senior buying roles at Moonpig and Monsoon Accessorize, she has led teams through growth, transformation and change.
Her expertise spans consumer-led product strategy, commercial performance, sourcing and supplier strategy, and building high-performing buying teams.
Known for her collaborative, people-first leadership, Katy helps retailers and brands strengthen buying functions, unlock growth and confidently navigate change through Buying and Beyond.
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