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On a monthly basis, we offer ‘food for thought' and share a few words of wisdom surrounding training and development. This month, we are sharing information about the new Mary Portas Guide to Successful Retailing programme.
BBC TV's Queen of Shops, Mary Portas, is the inspiration behind a new series of retail master classes designed to equip the Davids of UK retail with the tools needed to stay strong amongst the high street Goliaths.
Created by Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, the Mary Portas guide to successful retailing launches nationally on 1st July and will be delivered exclusively through the National Skills Academy for Retail's network of 28 retail skills shops, located on high streets and in shopping centres across the UK.
With the BBC receiving over 6,500 applications from independent retailers desperate to feature on the current series of ‘Mary Queen of Shops', these master classes couldn't be better timed and will provide a much-needed competitive edge to those that need it most.
Through the easy to understand step-by-step guides, interactive workshops, video case studies and Mary's own unique wealth of retail knowledge, each gives the hints and tips needed to turn a store into a productive, high-performing business.
Mary said: "This series of master classes will help you understand what is going on out there and will give you the tools to really help your retail business succeed."
The master classes cover seven key areas:
- My shop, my future: Building, mobilising and maintaining a vision for your business
- Retail finance and business planning: Understanding the key financial factors driving your business
- Buying for your customer: Buying products to attract and keep customers and deliver profit
- Selling and service skills: Standing out from the crowd with customer service that brings success
- Creating desire: Visual merchandising and the 'wow' factor to set your shop apart from the rest
- Marketing for more customers: Spreading the word about your business without spending the earth
- You and your team: Developing both you and your team to create a forward-looking, successful business
Retail is worth £321bn to the UK economy and the existence of a strong and diverse independent sector on our high streets is essential to ensuring its continuing success. The National Skills Academy for Retail's network of retail skills shops will deliver the master classes as part of its commitment to driving up skills levels across the retail sector.
Mary added: "We have grown a market in this country and it is vital to the economy. We enjoy shopping - it's our favourite pastime and we should be proud of the incredibly varied high street we have and fight to ensure its future. These master classes will really help in that fight."
Mary Portas will launch the Mary Portas guide to successful retailing at The Source in Sheffield on Thursday 1st July.
Ann Cadman, Director of The Source, said: "It is a fantastic honour for Mary Portas to launch this inspirational programme at The Source. We have a great team of trainers that will be delivering this exciting series of master classes for The Source, supporting businesses across the region. Thank you to all of our colleagues and friends who are supporting us in this event."
For press enquiries, or to find out more, contact Sophie Taylor on 0114 2635667 or email Sophie.taylor@thesourceacademy.co.uk.
