Retail Industry Consultants Education and Training

Learn from the best retail consultants in the business
By John Williams, Business Writing and Research Managing a retail store involves far more than just hanging out a shingle and stocking some shelves--you may need to use a retail consultant. As manager or even owner, you must care for the whole retail sales package–store location, building maintenance, interior design and layout, promotional signage graphics and placement, merchandise display, and customer relationships. Find retail industry consultants education and training programs to learn about the full spectrum of retail business.

If you're struggling to stay afloat when economic times get tough and match the competition in your neighborhood as well as on the Internet, get guidance through education and training to help you:

1. Manage the bricks and mortar to enhance the bottom line.

2. Supervise the employees for improved customer relations.

3. Control the business process as you adapt to retail industry trends.

Learn how to present your goods in the best light with retail consulting

Despite retail industry trends toward ecommerce and Internet sales, the physical shop still moves the most merchandise. Learn from association courses in merchandising and from retail marketing consultants to earn the most from your space.
Try:  The National Retail Federation (NRF) supports online courses on merchandising. Gladson Interactive provides training in space management and merchandising.

Keep your staff on their toes with education from a retail sales consultant

Specialists in consumer consulting can help employees effectively interact with customers throughout the sales process from first entrance to final exit, increasing your customers' satisfaction and your store's sales figures.
Try:  The Friedman Group works with you to develop custom training materials for store staff and management. Bob Phibbs bills himself as the "retail doctor" and offers a full menu of sales and customer service training, plus online videos on retail sales.

Hone your own executive skills with training from retail consulting firms

Work with a full-service retail management consultant to keep a sharp focus on the big picture, from initial site location through grand opening, as well as, keeping you "happily ever after" through day-to-day administration of your store.
Try:  Rick Segel & Associates sells how-to materials ranging from negotiating leases for retail space to executing a promotional sales event. WhizBang! Training offers the Retail Mastery System for a comprehensive set of training tools for running a retail establishment.

• Take a field trip with a retail consultant and study successful stores in your area, those that seem to weather downturns with a steady customer stream. Spend time and soak in the whole scenario, from site location and external appearance, even parking, to store layout, merchandise mix and customer/sales staff interaction. Use the information you gather to benchmark your store's performance.