Episode 3 Trade Your Way to the USA

The search is on for this year's Best Young Traders.

For months, CBBC has scoured the country, hunting for Britain's

budding entrepreneurs.

They need to know how to buy, how to sell

and how to close the deal, if they want to win the day.

From more than 2,000 budding young entrepreneurs,

just 14 teams have made it through to the heats.

Now they battle it out head-to-head in Trade Your Way To The USA.

Each team will be given £75 cash and a tough trading challenge.

They must decide what to buy...

What's your biggest seller in the whole shop?

Anything pretty is going to sell.

-..negotiate the lowest price...

-Six for 1.95.

-No.

-..and then sell, sell, sell.

HOOTER BLARES

High-quality balloons only £1!

You owe us £1.50.

-I want the one that says "Ka-pow!"

-OK.

The team that makes the most money wins the challenge

and a place on the all-important leaderboard.

Get in there!

At the end of the heats, only the top four teams go on

to fight it out for a place in the grand final...

Agh! My arm!

..and the chance to be crowned this year's Best Young Traders.

The best fudge ever!

I'm Saira Khan

and by the age of 25, I had a high-flying career in London.

Follow my top trading tips,

and one day you too could trade your way to the USA.

Trade Your Way To The USA is back with a vengeance.

Today, some of Britain's most ambitious young traders

will face the business challenge of a lifetime.

Time to meet the two teams with the will to win.

It's Victores vs Profiteroles.

ALL: We are Profiteroles and we're going to trade our way to the USA!

Whoooo!

This Cumbrian trio believe they've got what it takes to win.

Triathlete Connor is a top trader in training.

I know the Profiteroles can sprint our way to the finish.

I'm the loud one and I reel in the customers.

Used to selling eggs for cash,

Connie thinks she can scramble her opponents' chance of victory.

Just like my eggs, I know how to select the best produce to sell.

Brains behind the team, Alex, thinks he's got what it takes to win.

All I have to say to the opposition is "checkmate".

This team is sure their skills will secure success.

And trading's what we do best.

But the opposition is ready for a fight.

ALL: We know how to make money!

We chose the name Victores, cos it means "winners" in Latin.

Cos we think we have what it takes to win Trade Your Way To The USA.

ALL: Come on!

Scholarly Scouse lasses Rachel, Maisie

and Rosie have a wealth of trading know-how.

I've made money through charity fairs in school by selling cakes

and sweets.

And the most money we've made is £200.

Quiet, but lethal when it comes to trading,

Rachel's got designs on big business.

I've made money by taking part in events in school

and I've also earned over £40 by selling old games and CDs online.

And team organiser Maisie enjoys the sweet smell of success.

I earn money by selling my perfumes to friends and family

and I've made almost £200.

This formidable group of girls are in harmony when it comes to winning.

# Thanks for the opportunity We will make you go "Wowee!"

# And if you have faith in us

# We can win the shoooow, Victores! #

So it's Profiteroles v Victores,

but only the team that makes the most money wins today's challenge

and only they stand a chance of trading their way to the USA

and becoming Britain's Best Young Traders.

Today's trading titans have arrived in York,

one of Britain's oldest trading cities.

They've no idea what their challenge will be, but they know

they have to win to stand a chance of competing in our USA grand final.

Welcome to York.

In 865AD, the streets of this city were ruled by Vikings.

Over a thousand years on, and the Vikings will once again

take to the streets this weekend for the Jorvik Viking Festival,

as thousands of people come together to celebrate all things Viking.

Your challenge is to come up with Viking-themed balloons to sell

to the spectators, negotiate the lowest prices,

then sell, sell, sell.

The team that makes the most money wins the challenge.

Here's your trading fund.

I've given each £75 to trade with.

Thank you.

Teams, are you ready?

-ALL: Yes!

-Let's go!

The teams have £75 each to buy their balloons for the battle.

To win tomorrow means understanding which products to get today.

Before you start buying,

you need to understand the product that you're selling.

So I've brought you here to meet your expert, Shirley Ray.

Here are your books.

-Are you ready?

-ALL: Yes!

Let's go!

Award-winning Shirley comes from a long line of balloon experts.

If anyone can show the teams how to turn hot air into hard cash,

it's her.

The teams have just 15 minutes to pick Shirley's brains

about the balloon business. Every question counts.

What kind of price ranges do you sell yours at?

Between £1 for the very simple ones up to £10 for the Viking warrior.

For you to buy it,

you can buy all of these between about 75p up to £5.

I'm impressed.

They've established the retail and the buying price very early on.

Excellent.

When you've sold these balloons previously,

which have been the most popular ones?

Because they're all pieces of art, they all appeal to different people,

so it's an individual choice for you.

Are there any popular combinations?

Yeah, they probably would like a hat with a sword

or a shield and a sword or...

That's a fantastic question about popular combinations.

What that means is you can sell more than one product to a customer,

which means more money.

Is it possible for people to buy the balloons and make them themselves?

You will be able to buy the kits that you can sell.

I could teach you to make a simple sword.

So who's going to be the modeller?

I'm going to be doing it for this team.

And I'll be the modeller for the Profiteroles.

Having the ability to make these balloons will create

theatre on the day and that will attract customers.

..twist there, and that's going to be the handle of my sword.

And then we're going to make the hilt of this sword

and make another little twist.

But this is the point that you lock it together,

so you just twist these two together.

But that's the making of it. Let the battle commence!

If I was doing this task, I'd concentrate on buying

lots of DIY packs, so the customers can make their own balloons at home.

But I'd also encourage them to buy one from my stall.

That's two sales, one customer.

The packs of...

OK, Victores, so what's your strategy? Rachel?

Our strategy is to sell a variety of things,

but we're also going to make some of our own swords

and we're going to sell packs so people can make their own.

'Great! They're planning to up their sales by demonstrating

'the swords and selling the DIY kits.'

Have you thought about how many products you're going to buy?

-It's around 56, 57.

-OK, that's pretty ambitious, yeah?

'The girls want a lot of stock for their cash,

'so how are Profiteroles doing?'

So what is your strategy?

We were thinking about doing a package of the axe, the helmet

and the shield, so I'd really like that package at a good price.

'Selling the different designs together is a great way

'to make more money.'

And who is going to be the main negotiator?

We will work as a team, cos we stick together. We have no leader.

This is all about negotiation,

it's about getting the best product for the best price.

Good luck.

Victores are hoping demonstrations

and DIY packs will pull the punters to their stall.

Profiteroles hope selling different designs together

will score more cash.

But it's down to who can negotiate the best deals on their balloons.

This will be the toughest negotiation

the teams have ever faced.

If they want to win the trading challenge,

they need to turn Shirley's balloons into bargains.

First up, it's Profiteroles.

Can they work together to secure the best deals?

So, we'll start off with the axes. 75p.

Wow, Connor's straight in there with the negotiation. No niceties here.

75p is too low.

-90p.

-Meet halfway at 85?

On the axes, no.

-95?

-'Great. Profiteroles are working really well as a team.'

-95, OK.

-OK.

Next we wanted helmets, and we were going to go for 75 again.

No. You're looking definitely at £1.

Are you sure we couldn't meet you halfway at 90?

Now, this is a proper negotiation.

They're being assertive without being rude.

I'm sure we can't meet you at 90.

95? Again?

I'm going to let you have them for 95.

Next, we were looking at the shields. Each one for £1?

No, definitely.

I have to tell you that the shields I will not go under £2 at all.

-TEAM ALL TALK AT ONCE

-Not even 1.95, no.

Not even 1.99?

Every penny counts.

Every penny DOES count, and I will give you that one penny.

As they say in business, look after the pennies

and the pounds will look after themselves.

After getting seven other kinds of balloons,

I hope they're on top of what they've spent.

2.75 left.

If I were you, I'd check your numbers.

(I don't think I put that in the calculator right.)

I think Connor might have put something wrong.

That makes you 40p over your budget.

'Oh, dear, team, you're going

'to have to think on your feet here to bring your total back in budget.'

We've bought ten products, so if we knocked 4p off each buy,

then we'd be bang on our £75.

-Cos they're brilliant!

-They are amazing.

This team is good.

They know they're 40p over, but instead of trying to give

a product away, they're trying to get it in for free.

Well done.

Flattery gets you everywhere. For 40p...

-LAUGHTER

-..you can have that off your total.

ALL: Thank you.

Thank you!

Next up, the Victores.

They know how much stock they want to buy,

but can they get it for the right price?

-Hi.

-Hello.

We'd be interested in buying about ten axes.

My price would normally be 1.50.

Well, could you possibly go to £1?

1.25?

Um...£1.10?

-Yeah, I can go to 1.10.

-Thank you.

'She may be all smiles,

'but Shirley's not getting much of a negotiation from these girls.'

The girls are accepting these prices far too easily.

They need to push back.

So we are looking at the packs. You sell them for £2.50.

We're wondering if you let us have it for around £1.20.

The kits, I could go 1.50.

Could we possibly have it for £1.45?

You drive a hard bargain. OK, I'll let you have them for 1.45.

Thank you.

'That's better. £1.05 off the asking price.

'Along with some shields, helmets and Viking figures,

'their stock is mounting up.

'I hope they're on top of their numbers.'

We were looking at one of the packs of 50 balloons,

and you sell them for £5.

My actual selling price for the pack of 50 balloons with a pump is £6.

OK, so could we possibly have that for £5?

-You can, yes.

-Thank you.

They've just bought a pack of balloons,

but no demonstration sword.

Without that to copy,

will they remember how to make the swords tomorrow?

Because you haven't got any of the single swords at all,

and you're intending to make them,

perhaps you'd need to spend just a little bit on having that.

OK, so could you please let us have one of those...

for £1?

I'm going to give you two.

Shirley's really helped them out by giving them

two demonstration swords.

That's a lucky escape.

That's 75.

Do you want to maybe just calculate what you've spent already?

OK.

£5...

'This negotiation could all fall apart if they're not careful.'

£75.05.

Girls, I told you to be on top of your numbers.

Now you're over budget.

Could you possibly take 5p away?

-I'll let you have the 5p.

-ALL: Thank you.

'Shirley's let them off the 5p they've overspent.

'That's another lucky escape for the girls.'

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Have a good selling day.

For their £75, Profiteroles got some great deals,

including ten each of the helmets, shields and swords,

which can be sold together for more money.

They also got five DIY packs and two large Viking figures -

53 products in total.

Despite Victores' confusion over numbers, for their £75,

they got 55 products - almost as many as they had planned.

This included ten helmets and seven DIY packs,

plus two demonstration swords to help them model the balloons.

Tomorrow, only one team can be the high-flyers.

The others will leave deflated.

Today, Victores go head-to-head with Profiteroles.

Both will do anything to win

and get the chance to compete

in our Trade Your Way To The USA grand final.

The team who makes the most money today is one step closer

to becoming Britain's Best Young Traders.

Victores and Profiteroles have arrived

in the ancient city of York, ready to sell balloons.

But whose bubble is going to burst?

Good morning, Profiteroles, good morning, Victores.

Today, thousands of people will visit York

to celebrate everything Viking.

You have just two hours to sell them your Viking-themed balloons.

The team that makes the most money wins today's challenge,

and only they stand a chance of trading their way to the USA

and becoming Britain's best young traders.

-Are you ready?

-ALL: Yes.

Let's set up the stalls.

The teams need to get ready.

Every sale will get them one step closer to the USA.

What are your prices?

£3.50.

-£3.50.

-£3.50.

So this is £3.50?

How much did you pay for these?

£1.99 each.

OK, and you're selling them for £3.50?

'In business, your prices need to reflect what you paid.

'Get your mark-up wrong, and you could go bust.'

We're selling the helmet and shield at the same price,

but it cost us more to get the shields.

So we should put prices up.

So, how are Victores getting on?

Short sword is £1.50.

We need to start making some.

'Good idea, girls.

'Get plenty of your amazing balloons made to show what you're selling.'

-How much are you selling the big sword for?

-£3.

-What about these swords?

-Just £1.50.

'That's lower than Profiteroles.

'They must keep on top of their numbers today if they want to win.'

It's time for the balloon battle to begin.

Teams, are you ready?

ALL: Yes!

-Erik, are you ready?

-Yarr!

Three, two, one, start selling!

BLOWS HORN

'Straightaway, Rosie heads out into the crowds.'

Hey, guys. Does anyone want to buy anything? We've got axes, swords.

'While back on Victores' stall,

'their balloons are already attracting the customers.'

Thank you!

The thing about demonstration is it creates theatre to your stall,

attracts customers, and then they're likely to buy.

Thank you!

They've got customers waiting.

Could we have them there?

Yeah, it's £8.

There you go.

'Great work, girls. That's £8 for your cash box.'

'20 metres away, are Profiteroles living up to their name?'

They've got everyone now.

'It looks like they need to take a leaf out of

'their competition's book and draw some attention to the stall.'

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be amazed!

High-quality balloons for sale today.

Well done, Connie!

'In business, if no-one is looking at your products,

'do what it takes to bring people over.'

-£10.

-I'll have one of them.

We just sold one of the big ones straightaway.

He just came and said, "How much are these? OK, I'll have one."

'That's £10 in one hit, a great sale for Profiteroles.

'Nearby, the girls have a steady stream of customers.'

That's £4 change.

£6 change.

Sorry!

'But the numbers seem to be getting on top of them again.'

What's £3.25 add £2.75?

Is it £6?

I think that should be the right change.

Girls, you need to give the right change to the customers.

Otherwise, this is going to end in chaos.

You know your pricing?

You've got like 25p and 75p.

That's causing you a change situation.

Too much change to the customer means what for you?

We're losing money.

So how are you going to make it easier for yourself?

Round it up to the nearest pound.

I think that's a better idea.

Would you like two of the same sort?

OK, so that's £6, please, and I'll just give you your change.

'Phew! No confusion there,

'that's another £6 for your cash box.

'It's halfway through, and over at Profiteroles' stall...'

CONNOR SCREAMS

'..Connor and Connie are selling hard.'

I challenge thee!

To be a great salesperson, you've got to become a character.

Wear the hat, hold the sword, become a Viking!

Get those customers to buy from you!

Great demonstration, by the way.

Thank you.

'But not every Profiterole is getting into the fighting spirit.'

Connie, just go out and shout.

I don't really like going out and shouting.

That's Connie's job.

'But in this trading challenge, it's got to be all hands on deck

'if you want to stand a chance of winning.'

-You're uncomfortable about selling, aren't you?

-No.

I'm happy to sell on the stall,

I'm just not so confident going out and about.

This whole experience is about learning a new skill

and putting your hand at something you've never done before.

So why don't you have a go? You might actually really enjoy it.

Would you like to buy any balloons?

We've got our flails.

We've even got a Viking buddy.

I'm really proud of Alex.

It's not easy selling,

and if it's something that you don't enjoy, it can be quite frightening.

But he's having a go and he sold.

Well done.

I feel little more confident coming out now, yeah.

Hi, would you like to buy a balloon?

We've got like flails and everything.

'I spy someone else who needs to perfect their battle cry.'

Would you like to buy a balloon?

'Victores may have got off to a good start,

'but they seem to have run out of puff.'

Shall I show you how to really demonstrate your products?

-OK.

-Get it on.

Give me a sword.

Come and buy these fantastic things from me!

Would you like one? They're all for sale here, only available today.

So I'd now like you to do the same, please.

The hats, £2.50, and the swords, £3.

-Come and buy from me!

-Come buy from me!

-Woo-hoo!

Would you like to come and buy one?

-Would you like a helmet?

-Do you want a helmet?

-Yeah.

We'll take two helmets.

-OK.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

'Brilliant! Selling with confidence has got you £6.'

Would you like to have it?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Maisie has just turned into a completely different person.

She's got a voice and she's using it to sell!

Come on!

'30 minutes left, and both teams are selling well.'

The hats are £2.

I'll have a hat, then, please.

Thank you.

In fact, Profiteroles are selling so well,

they've got a controversial business idea.

Possibly thinking about putting our prices up a little,

just whisper that.

'With the other team just metres away, this is a risky strategy.'

How much are the DIY packs?

They are £5.

We're just going to go and have a look over there

and see what they're doing, then we'll make a decision.

Profiteroles have just let a family of four walk to the other side

to check out the competition.

What I would've done is given a package and a deal to keep them.

Profiteroles' higher prices are losing them sales

all over the festival.

Which one is best out of the two?

Theirs is much more expensive.

Do you want to come and check out our stall? Let's go.

'Seeing the competition's prices and with a lot of stock left to shift,

'Profiteroles need to change their strategy, fast.'

They are selling some of the swords for £1.50, so we've used that,

we're selling them for £1.

The prices are plummeting quite fast now.

High-quality balloons, only £1!

Anyone want any balloons?

All £1, over here!

Thank you very much.

Any balloon just £1.

'Well done, Profiteroles.

'Your lower prices have got you £5.

'With just minutes left...'

You better not pop this balloon or you owe us £1.50.

'..both teams' stock is running out fast.

'Every sale counts.'

Just £1! Alex, get the money back in the till!

Go, go, go!

It's only £3.25.

One pack, and this one.

It was £17.75 and it was our biggest sale.

'With a minute left, both teams are selling package deals

'to clear their stock. Good work.'

Do you want to try it on? We can give you a discount.

£1.

You've conned me!

Ten, nine, eight,

seven, six, five,

four, three, two, one.

Stop selling.

Erik!

BLOWS HORN

Victores, can I have your cash tin, please?

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

Profiteroles, please can I have your cash tin?

Good luck.

'They gave it everything they've got, but only one team can win.

'Is it Victores or Profiteroles who've made the most money

'and are in with a chance of trading their way to the USA?'

We're standing in the Merchant Adventurers' Hall in York,

where business has been carried out for the last 650 years.

I've been watching both teams very closely for the last two days,

and I have to say, I've been very impressed with what I've seen.

Over 2,000 young traders applied to be in your position.

Only 14 teams made it through this far.

You should be very proud of yourselves.

The team that makes the most money today wins the challenge,

and only they stand a chance of trading their way to the USA

and becoming Britain's Best Young Traders.

The cash has been counted.

Profiteroles, you took...

..£163.80.

Victores, you took...

..£176.65!

Congratulations, you're today's winners!

I actually can't believe we did it.

I'm just so excited.

They deserved to win. We both got quite high ones,

and I'm looking forward to seeing them if they get into the semis.

It means the world to me.

So happy.

We definitely give it our all today.

Couldn't really have done much more.

Congratulations, Victores, that earns you a place

on our leaderboard and the chance of going through to our grand final.

Victores' £176.65 puts them at the top of the leaderboard,

knocking Team Sterling and Top Dogs down.

But will it be enough to keep them there?

Because only the 14 that make the most money go on to fight it out.

In business, there are times

when you have the opportunity to learn a new skill.

That can be a bit frightening.

But if you're willing to have a go and run with it,

you'll soon see that having a new skill can pay off.

That's exactly what our winning team did today,

and it's well worth remembering

if you want to Trade Your Way To The USA.

Next time on Trade Your Way To The USA, two more teams do battle.

-That comes to £75, does it?

-Somewhere around there.

Fresh meat!

Hand-made in Yorkshire!

Come and buy my sausages!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd