Mary Portas master classes coming to Norwich

BBC TV’s Queen of Shops, Mary Portas, is the inspiration behind a series of retail master classes designed to equip the Davids of retail with the tools needed to stay strong amongst the high street Goliaths.

With the BBC receiving over 6,500 applications from independent retailers desperate to feature on the current series of ‘Mary Queen of Shops’, independent retailers have the chance to give their shops the Mary Portas treatment through a series of master classes she has designed and which are coming to Norwich during September and October.  

The master classes couldn’t be better timed and will provide a much-needed competitive edge to those that need it most. Through Mary’s unique wealth of retail knowledge and advice, video case studies, and practical and interactive activities, each master class provides the opportunity for local retailers to increase the productivity of their shops.

Retailers can select the whole programme of classes or attend one which addresses a particular issue.  There are a limited number of places on each class.  More information and booking is available at www.retailskillsacademy.co.uk or on (01603) 773 888.  The master classes cover seven key areas:

•    My shop, my future: Building, mobilising and maintaining a vision for your business (8 September)
•    Retail finance and business planning: Understanding the key financial factors driving your business (15 September)
•    Buying for your customer: Buying products to attract and keep customers and deliver profit (22 September)
•    Selling and service skills: Standing out from the crowd with customer service that brings success (29 September)
•    Creating desire: Visual merchandising and the 'wow' factor to set your shop apart from the rest (6 October)
•    Marketing for more customers: Spreading the word about your business without spending the earth (13 October)
•    You and your team: Developing both you and your team to create a forward-looking, successful business (20 Ocotber)

Mary Portas 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. 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.

 “We’re losing independents from our high streets, we have huge multiples that are driving in with sophisticated operations and we need to bring that sophistication and knowledge in a different way to the independent sector".

In just seven weeks, the Mary Portas guide to successful retailing has seen hundreds of delegates attend master classes across the country with bookings continuing to flood in.  The newly formed Retail Skills Academy at City College Norwich has been selected by the National Skills Academy for Retail to deliver these classes in Norwich.  

Sue Dougal, from the local Academy, said: “Small independent retailers play a significant role in Norwich.  One of our aims is to make sure they thrive alongside their larger counterparts.  We are delighted to have the retail experience and training success to bring this programme to Norwich retailers.

“One of our concerns is that less than 10% of small independents invest time or money in training, not recognising that the impact can be the difference between survival and closure or as much as 20% on their bottom line.  We are particularly pleased to have the Mary Portas programme because, like her TV programme, it is practical advice and not theoretical.  Retailers work on their own businesses and know exactly what changes they will make immediately they get back to their shops”.          

Anita Vadhir, proprietor of ladies fashion store Vanilla, is one local retailer fortunate enough to have experienced a taster of the Mory Portas Master Classes.  Anita said: "I thought it was great.  From what I saw of the taster I think it's going to be very precise and to the point and I think we'd get an awful lot from it."

The master classes are open to independent shop owners and managers, department and store managers of larger retailers, as well as individuals aspiring towards a successful retail career.  Venue: St Andrews House, St Andrews Street, Norwich.  

To see what other retailers have said about taster sessions for the master classes, visit: www.retailskillsacademy.co.uk/testimonials

For further information and to book your place on the master classes, call on (01603) 773 888 or email retail@ccn.ac.uk