Aims

To enable experienced retailers to broaden their outlook and understanding of strategic retail thinking, as well as equipping them with a wealth of practical ideas to take back into the workplace.

Objectives

• To provide an understanding of the fundamentals of how a business operates.
• To provide an insight into the interpretation and evaluation of the performance of a business.
• To examine the challenges facing retailing today and in the future, in terms of the economy, consumer, government, city, media, global expansion, technology and innovation.
• To develop a clear picture of retailing in the future.
• To provide all participants with a wealth of practical ideas that can be taken back to their own business.

Outline of the days

Day 1
The Retail Future & Strategic Implications

A real opportunity to anticipate and explore future trends affecting retailing, as well as examining their strategic implications. This is achieved through discussions with a panel of eminent retail experts as well as gaining the insights of a leading practitioner.

Participants will also have the opportunity to network with their learning teams which is the foundation for the cross- fertilization of ideas during the week.

Day 2
The Challenges of the Business Environment

A unique and dynamic day which enables the delegates to examine and explore the key factors which contribute to the changing business environment affecting retailing. Participants will be exposed to a range of different resources and have access to leading experts in their appointed fields.

The experience culminates in a lively and exciting event with delegates sharing the insights and conclusions from their diagnoses and research, before joining in discussion and debate with a leading practitioner.

Day 3
The Strategic Levers of Business

During Day 3 the participants have the opportunity to explore the three most important levers leading business success: financial, commercial and people. This practical day enables the participants to gain real insight into the financial fundamentals for retail business success.

They will also be able to test their commercial acumen and examine how to apply an understanding of people and organizations in a retail context.

Day 4
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Change in Retail

The day continues the dynamic and active nature of the programme. Participants will have the unique opportunity to develop innovative retail ideas and pitch them to a panel of eminent retailers. The wealth of ideas are then explored in both business and learning teams so giving every delegate the opportunity to take practical ideas back into the workplace.

Participants will also have the unique opportunity to learn from a leading retailer about what it takes to be a great entrepreneur and consider what it means to be entrepreneurial within their own business.