With the going gets tough, the tough get going, as Jeremy Corner, chairman of The Giftware Association and managing director of Blue Eyed Sun, is proving.
“Having worked in this sector for almost 20 years, and seen many friends affected by difficulties in business, I felt compelled to do something to help,” Jeremy told GiftsandHome.net. “Independent giftware retail in the UK has been experiencing a raft of challenges of late and we have seen a large number of shops close or go out of business. This is affecting the business owners, their loved ones and their communities.”
Jeremy has therefore created Rising Retail, a Masterclass event that takes place on October 21 at the Shard in London. It will be bringing 45 independent retailers together to share best practices that they can then take home to help their businesses and communities to thrive.
“The speakers are all retailers who will be sharing authentic first hand learnings that they can use to improve their businesses and enhance their high streets and communities,” states Jeremy.
Topics covered include: Instagram; Trends; Visual merchandising; Google My Business; Staff; Negotiating; Community; Going Green; Social Selling; and Lessons From The Top.
Speakers include multiple gift retailer Kate Cowie, director, Utility, which has shops in Liverpool and Manchester, and Frances Jardine co-owner of The Bottom Drawer in Portadown.
“My dream is that we create new ways of tackling some of the seemingly insurmountable challenges,” states Jeremy. “We all have something to learn from each other, and we can do more together as a group than as individuals.”
Tickets are limited to 35 places only and are sold on a first come, first serve basis.
The event is being run by the Giftware Association with support from Sage and ITE.
Retailers can book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rising-retail-tickets-73830502019
Visit www.ga-uk.org
Top: The Shard in London will be hosting the first Rising Retail event next month.
