Scoop founder Karen Radley to host 'fireside chats' with buyers at next show

Scoop trade show founder and curator Karen Radley will be turning the attention on buyers from prominent retailers, including Fenwick, in the form of “intimate fireside chats” during the next show, taking place at London’s Olympia National on 8-10 February.

In what will be the 15th anniversary since Scoop’s launch in 2011, it will be the first time discussions with buyers – promising a more open, thoughtful exchange around buying, curation and the realities of retail today – have taken place during the show. They will be held within a dedicated space at Scoop.

Radley’s first talk will be with Deryane Tadd, owner of The Dressing Room in St Albans, at 12.30pm on Monday 9 February. Then at 1pm on Tuesday 10 February, Radley will be joined by Melanie Westwood, Fashion Accessories Buyer at Fenwick, followed by a chat starting at 2.30pm with two buyers from Paris-based department store Printemps; Kimberley Hugonnet, Womenswear Contemporary, Ready-to-Wear and Accessories Buyer, and her colleague Mathilde Vanini, Contemporary Womenswear Buyer.

Radley said: “Scoop has always been about thoughtful curation and meaningful connection, and the fireside chats felt like a natural evolution of that. Buying today is nuanced, considered and collaborative, and I wanted to create space for honest, open conversation around what that really looks like.

“These sessions are about sharing insight, asking questions and learning from buyers who are shaping retail from within some of the most influential department stores.”

Reflecting the value Scoop continues to offer buyers, Fenwick’s Melanie Westwood, added: “I’m looking forward to Scoop this year as a buyer because it’s a brilliant platform for discovering new and design-led brands, spotting key trends, and connecting directly with brand partners and suppliers. It’s an inspiring show that supports thoughtful, informed buying.”

The conversations, in keeping with the more conversational, informal format Radley wanted to create, are intended to reflect the diversity of roles within buying today, while remaining highly relevant to Scoop’s exhibitor and buyer audience. They will relate to how collections are selected and shaped, as well as the evolving role of the buyer within an increasingly complex retail landscape.

Complementing the fireside chats, the programme will also feature two expert-led sessions hosted by fashion specialists, designed to inspire fresh thinking and elevate visitors’ buying strategies.