Chanda Pandya, Buying director of Select, tells Retail Week about her life working in retail.

Chanda Pandya

What was your first job in retailing?

Buyers’ admin assistant at Debenhams.

Which retail company do you admire most and why?

On the high street, Zara. It has a fantastic business model, has achieved international status and delivers fashion trends faster than most. Among the designers I love Gucci.

What is the trait you least like in yourself and why?

I’ve been told I have very high standards, which means I am hard on myself and expect the same of others.

Who have you learnt most from in your retail career?

I spent the longest time of my career at Jane Norman and had a very good working relationship with my chief executive, Saj Shah, who gave me a lot of sound advice.

What advice would you give someone starting out in retail?

You have to live and breathe it, and must have the drive and passion. Start from the ground up and stick with it as it’s tough but worth it in the end.

What keeps you awake at night?

Wondering how my team members are going to cope with the pressure I put on them and how I’m going to fit everything in to each day, but somehow I always do.

What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Mentoring and developing junior members of a team and seeing them progress and flourish in their own careers – I am a firm believer in succession planning.

What’s your proudest achievement?

During Jane Norman’s best years, I was responsible for buying more than 60% of its annual sales turnover.

What job would you have done if you hadn’t become a retailer?

I would have set up my own PR/events company or gone into property development.

What’s your favourite shop and why?

Selfridges is my second home, everything under one roof.

What was your last purchase?

J Brand nude skinny jeans.

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