Mary Queen of Shops unveils guide to successful retailing

Retail guru Mary Portas has launched a series of master classes aimed at giving small and independent retailers the competitive edge to compete in today’s tough retail climate. Retailers and learning providers gathered in London and Sheffield earlier this

month to learn more about the master classes produced by Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, part-funded by the government and led by retailers.

Speaking at the London event, Mary Portas, star of the hit TV show Mary Queen of Shops, said: “We’re losing independents from our high street, 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.”

Delivered exclusively through the National Skills Academy for Retail’s network of 31 retail skills shops throughout the country, the master classes are made up of step-by-step guides, interactive workshops, video case studies and an offering of Portas’ own extensive retail knowledge.

The retail industry is worth £321 billion to the UK economy and a strong independent sector on the high streets is essential to ensuring its continuing success. The series of seven master classes cover key elements for success, including the vision of the business, finance and business planning and brand building. The National Skills Academy for Retail, a wholly owned subsidiary of Skillsmart Retail, will deliver the classes as part of its commitment to driving up skills levels across the retail sector.

Anne Seaman, Chief Executive of Skillsmart Retail, commented: “We all know that small towns and villages and high streets up and down the country are suffering in the current economic climate, but it is really important that we have a range of retail on the high streets and this programme will really help independent retailers make their offer more attractive to their local customers.”

Portas added: “It’s actually a real look at how to compete against the massive high street today and train up independents in every facet of retailing that’s relevant to modern retailing. If anyone wants to join, go to www.nsaforretail.com.”