The National Skills Academy for Retail has launched a business mentoring scheme for independent retailers and town centres across the UK.
Working with Grey4Gold, a professional business skills matching service, NSA for Retail said the scheme had been designed to help independent retailers grow their businesses and to support start-ups in their first year of trading.
The scheme will offer retailers and town centre managers access to a team of retail experts who will give support and guidance on subjects such as business planning, financial management, merchandising and buying, marketing and PR, property acquisition and multi-channel retailing.
Jane Rexworthy, head of the NSA for Retail said: “The benefits of business mentoring are difficult to overstate. Each mentor has considerable retail experience and a specialism in everything from management to logistics. Whether leading group sessions focusing on certain skill areas or one-to-one meetings with new or struggling businesses, the mentors will strengthen the skills of existing owners and help others turn retailing ideas into reality.”