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Episode 1

Episode 1 of 7

High street store buyers ask members of the public to find the next bestselling product. Fledgling suppliers pitch their ideas at a famous department store in just three minutes.

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 - and whilst many won't make the grade, for a lucky few it will be a life-changing experience.

In episode one, an iconic department store opens its doors to the public with a unique open day. From 6am, over 600 people queue around the block for the opportunity to pitch their product to the buying team led by Buying Director Ed Burstell. But with just three minutes to pitch their wares, only a handful will be selected to take their products further. Amongst the hopeful fledgling suppliers are former carpenter Tom Hopkins-Gibson, who has travelled down from Scotland with his porcelain and wood bowls, professor of architecture Richard Weston, who dazzles the buyers with his unique silk scarves, and glass blower Charlotte Sale.

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of a a leading pharmacy chain, the buying team get ready for their open day, sifting through hundreds of applications to short-list just ten potential suppliers.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 27 May 2011 01:55
BBC One

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Courteeners

    Cross My Heart & Hope to Fly

  • Plan B

    She Said

  • Willis Jackson

    Nuther Ain't Nutherin

  • Kate Nash

    Merry Happy

  • Rox

    My Baby Left Me

  • Yodelice

    Insanity

  • Eliza Doolittle

    Back to Front

  • Tiffany Page

    Seven years too late

  • Kate Nash

    Mouthwash

  • Florence + The Machine

    Cosmic Love

  • Owl City

    Fireflies

  • Kate Nash

    Skeleton Song

  • Adele

    Cold Shoulder

  • Air

    Alone In Kyoto

  • Adele

    Right As Rain

  • Jamie Lidell

    Another Day

  • Art Blakey

    So Tired

  • Zero 7

    Look Up

  • Lily Allen

    Who'd Have Known

  • Oi Va Voi

    Old Yeshoma

  • Oi Va Voi

    Refugee

  • Jamie Cullum

    Get Your Way

  • Dawn Landes

    Little Miss Holiday

  • Jamie Cullum

    Nothing I Do

  • Lily Allen

    Knock 'Em Out

  • Stereophonics

    Could You Be The One?

  • Take That

    Hold Up A Light

  • Foals - Blue Blood

  • Chilly Gonzales

    Working Together

Credits

Series Producer Claire Hobday
Participant Ed Burstell
Participant Charlotte Sale
Participant Maria Law
Participant Sophie Law

Broadcasts