Creating a strategy
Business strategy and its purpose, the customer, internal influences, external influences and developing a department strategy. Find out more »
Retail Academy for buyers, merchandisers & planners
Specialist retail training coursesA comprehensive retail training programme to develop the technical skills needed to build knowledge and confidence in buying, merchandising and merchandise planning.
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Merchandise planningThis training course covers planning sales, stock, markdown and margin, sales phasing, managing intake and open to buy and use of the WSSI. Find out more »
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Assortment planning & range buildingTraining covers the range building process, planning space, planning options, width and depth, grouping stores, the assortment plan, range sign-off. Find out more »
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Range building & option planningWorkshop on the range planning process - customer profiles, strategy, SWOT, range framework and range building. Find out more »
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Introduction to negotiation skillsTraining which covers the negotiations process and objectives, conflict in negotiation and the six-step framework. Find out more »
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Introduction to negotiation skillsTraining which covers the negotiations process, the negotiation objectives, conflict in negotiation and the six-step framework. Find out more »
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Advanced negotiation skillsA two-day training course for buyers who wish to refresh, develop or enhance their skills to deal with more complex and challenging negotiations. Find out more »
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The journey from cost to profitLearn how to influence the profitability of your business through commercial costing and sourcing decisions. Find out more »
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SourcingTraining in sourcing strategy, ethical sourcing, sustainability, types of sourcing, terminology and cultural considerations. Find out more »
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Store visits and competitor shoppingHow to prepare for and carry out effective visits to both the stores in your own business and those of the competition Find out more »
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Buying trips & factory visitsHow to go about planning for and then conducting buying trips and factory visits Find out more »
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Order management, allocation & replenishmentThe end-to-end stock management process, critical path management, planning allocations, replenishment and managing commitment. Find out more »
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Supplier managementHow to work commercially with suppliers – building successful long-term relationships, finding new suppliers and exiting a supplier. Find out more »
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Evaluating performanceHow to evaluate weekly trading performance of a department. Interpret KPIs at department, category and line level and compare with objectives. Find out more »
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In-season managementThe training covers use of the WSSI as an evaluation and forecasting tool, taking action and managing end of season product. Find out more »
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Managing key linesTraining course on planning key lines, forecasting key lines and managing key lines in-season to maximise profitability. Find out more »
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Price managementHow to manage prices and optimise margin. Considerations for initial price setting, promotions and profitability and clearance markdown criteria. Find out more »
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Range planning challengeA fast-paced workshop where teams compete to create ranges that meet customer expectations, exceed business goals and deliver profit. Find out more »
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Trading challengeA workshop that challenges teams to trade a product category, optimise in-season performance and deliver profit through a series of scenarios. Find out more »
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Profit challengeA team-based workshop packed with activities designed to improve profit-related decision-making within a pressurised retail environment. Find out more »
Retail basics training
Retail fundamentals training for everyoneConsidering a career in buying, merchandising or planning? Or just starting out in a new role? These courses cover the retail basics that are the foundation for success.
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John Hoerner's Retail RecipesBased around retail veteran John Hoerner’ s book Recipes for Retail. It covers theories, tips and advice on customers, people, suppliers, stock management, marketing, finance, strategy and online. Find out more »
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Online Q&A with John HoernerAsk John Hoerner any questions you may have about his retail course and discuss how they apply to your role or organisation. Find out more »
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Understanding retail: The product lifecycleRetail fundamentals training for everyone. This course covers the basics of buying, merchandising and planning. Find out more »
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Understanding retail: The product lifecycleTwo days of training on the basics of buying, merchandising, planning and the retail product lifecycle. Find out more »
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Understanding retail: The retail jargon buster & retail calculationsLearn the language of retail and retail maths using this comprehensive retail glossary. Find out more »
John Hoerner's Recipes for Retail
Invaluable retail training from a retail veteranLearn how to be a great retailer from someone who knows. Bite-sized wisdom from one of the most experienced retailers in the world.
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John Hoerner's Retail Recipes
Based around retail veteran John Hoerner’ s book Recipes for Retail. It covers theories, tips and advice on customers, people, suppliers, stock management, marketing, finance, strategy and online. Find out more »
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Online Q&A with John Hoerner
Ask John Hoerner any questions you may have about his retail course and discuss how they apply to your role or organisation. Find out more »
Mental Health Training
Prioritise Workplace Mental Health and WellbeingSupporting mental health in the workplace is not just a corporate responsibility. Staff who have positive mental health are more productive, and businesses who promote a progressive approach to mental health can see a significant impact on business.
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Stress – cause, impact and responseHow to recognise and respond to stress early is vital for positive mental wellbeing Find out more »
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Introduction to Mental Health and Workplace Wellbeing
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) AwareAn introduction to mental health issues. It explores the impact of stigma and empowers employees to look after the wellbeing of themselves and others. Find out more »
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) ChampionTraining in practical mental health skills to help a manager spot if someone is struggling and gives confidence to have mental health conversations Find out more »
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)A two-day course that gives participants the qualification of a Mental Health First Aider and equips them with the skills to spot the signs of mental illness and to how to respond. Find out more »
Personal & people development
Develop soft skills to improve hard resultsProject management for business managers, leading change, commercial thinking and many other workshops. Our wide range of soft skill and behavioural workshops help people to perform at their peak.
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Leading changeThe role of the leader in the three stages of leading and landing successful change; motivate people to change, make it happen, and make it permanent. Find out more »
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Management essentials for new managersTwo-day workshop on what makes a great manager, management styles, effective delegation, motivation & supervision, and the GROW model. Find out more »
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Managing time & workloadsIntroduces managers to a range of simple, effective and practical tools to help them become more effective at time management. Find out more »
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Managing a teamGives the ‘why, what and how’ of managing a high performing team. Best practice approaches in what you can do differently are shared and encouraged. Find out more »
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Coaching & feedbackThis workshop develops skills and explores techniques, with practice and feedback sessions using real coaching opportunities and challenges. Find out more »
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Managing performance & people developmentPacked with simple, practical approaches that build the skill set and confidence of managers to effectively manage and develop their teams. Find out more »
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Managing difficult people situationsHelps managers to understand the role they play in difficult situations and gives practical approaches to resolving difficulties for the benefit of all involved. Find out more »
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Effective leadershipThis one-day session is designed to help managers to explore their leadership potential and be better placed to drive the success of their teams. Find out more »
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Commercial thinkingBe inspired by a guest entrepreneur’s success story. Add to this practices, tools and approaches that develop commercial thinking competence. Find out more »
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Project management for business managersTwo-day project management course giving business managers training on practical project management skills, tools and techniques. Find out more »
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Effective communicationThis course covers how to craft questions, active listening skills, effective words, body language and useful meeting and presentation skills. Find out more »
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Personal impactThis two-day workshop embeds skills to deliver key messages with clarity, authority and magnetism by blending insight, knowledge and practice. Find out more »
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Perfect pitching & compelling storytellingHelps storytellers become clear, compelling and memorable. Teams connect and share their story; a collective history, understanding and identity. Find out more »
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Managing diversity & inclusionThis workshop demystifies diversity and inclusion, equipping managers with the knowledge they need to manage with confidence and consideration. Find out more »
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Resilience at workHelps you to understand and manage your emotions, so you can make better decisions, build stronger relationships and become more resilient. Find out more »
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Making the most of your strengthsStrengths are explored in a group or team format which results in new appreciation, awareness and tangible action planning. Find out more »
Change management training
Successfully land your change programmeBusiness change is always important, and properly implemented, it will make a real difference to how change is embedded and sustained in your organisation.
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Leading change
The role of the leader in the three stages of leading and landing successful change; motivate people to change, make it happen, and make it permanent. Find out more »
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Commercial thinkingBe inspired by a guest entrepreneur’s success story. Add to this practices, tools and approaches that develop commercial thinking competence. Find out more »
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Project management for business managersTwo-day project management course giving business managers training on practical project management skills, tools and techniques. Find out more »