Trend Forecasting

What do trend forecasters do?

• They monitor consumers and industries to determine trends for upcoming seasons..

• They provide lead time, the time needed for planning, purchasing, and production before products hit the sales floor.

Connected to every part of the Industry

• Trend forecasters combine their knowledge of design, arkerjng, merchandising, trends, consumer research, and business reports

  • The “R” in R&D ( research and development)

• They hold the most influential job

Types of Trend Forecasters

• Fiber/fabric house forecaster

  • Cotton inc, Mohair Council of America

• Color trend forecasters

  • Color association, Pantone

• Population trend forecaster

  • Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

• Broad spectrum forecaster

  • The Doneger Group, Trend Union

• Other titles for trend forecaster

  • Creative Director

  • Fashion Forecaster

Qualifications for the Trend Forecaster

• Education

  • Bachelors in business, visual arts, fashion design/ merchandising

• Experience

  • Retail, merchandising, product development, design, fashion coordination

• Personality Characteristics

  • Excellent understanding of people and human behavior

  • Effective visual, written, and oral communication skills

  • Curious and creative personality

  • Capable of analyzing, synthesizing, and organizing observations

  • Intuition and instinct

The Job Market for Trend Forecasting

• Limited number of positions

• Areas of Employment

  • Color

  • Textile design

  • Apparel and accessories design

  • Home furnishing

• Career Challenges

  • The ability to observe, organize, and priotize these outside inskineces is a rare skill

  • Forecasters who provide wrong information for a seosn or two may no longer be hired by clients