Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Episode 4

Episode 4 of 7

High street store buyers ask members of the public to provide them with the next bestselling product. The fledgling suppliers face price negotiations and crunch design meetings.

Retailers are always on the lookout for the next big thing and in this series the buying teams of three high street giants are prepared to take an enormous gamble by asking members of the public to supply them with the next bestselling product. This is a chance of a lifetime for unknown designers and producers to pitch directly to the retail industry's power-brokers and have the opportunity to get their product stocked in prestigious shops. Over six months, retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis will be following both buyers and suppliers as they experience the highs and guaranteed lows of bringing a product to market, from initial pitch to shop shelf. Whilst many won't make the grade, for a lucky few it will be a life-changing experience.

The fledgling suppliers face the harsh realities of the cut-throat world of retail. The open days are over but the hard work is only just beginning. The retailers may like the producers' ideas, but a series of tricky price negotiations and crunch design meetings mean that not all products will pass their prototype stage. Business inexperience is beginning to show through as blunders are made and professional advice ignored.

At the home retail giant, Steven Biddulph continues down his determined road of UK manufacture while Catherine Gray's attempts to design a vase with a difference hit a wobbly patch. The department store designers' dreams continue as Professor Weston talks money, while Charlotte Sale is in a race against time to produce her entire order in one day - or risk making a loss. At the pharmacy chain, Elaine Weston's teen skin care range faces the toughest test of all - a focus group of young girls, who she hopes will want to splash the cash on her creams.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 17 Jun 2011 01:55

Music Played

  • Courteeners

    Take Over the World

  • Dragonette

    Another Day

  • Willis Jackson

    Nuther 'N Like Thuther'n

  • Psapp

    Glomb

  • Feist

    My Moon My Man

  • Flaming Tunes

    Yoshimi Battle the Pink Robots

  • Philip Glass

    In the Upper Room Dance 8

  • The Feeling

    I Did It for Everyone

  • The Feeling

    Kettle's On

  • Eliza Doolittle

    Nobody

  • Oi Va Voi

    Refugee

  • The Guard

    Goldspot

  • Paolo Nutini

    Candy

  • Philip Glass

    Act 1 Prelude Refrain Verse 1

  • Method Man

    The First Time

  • The Ting Tings

    That's Not My Name

  • 4hero

    Planetaria

  • Sia

    Academia

  • Sia

    Lentil

  • Plan B

    Love Goes Down

  • Rox

    breakfast in Bed

  • Eliza Doolittle

    So High

  • The Zutons

    Dirty Rat

  • MIKA

    Happy Ending

  • The Rumble Strips

    Boys and Girls

Credits

Role Contributor
Series Producer Claire Hobday
Participant Theo Paphitis
Participant Theo Paphitis

Broadcasts