nickshanagher

Pejorative is an adjective that is used to indicate a word with a disparaging connotation. When I say that shelfstaker is a pejorative word, I am not saying that people should not stack shelves or keep stock keeping units free from dust. What I am saying is that no true retailer should ever wish to employ shelfstackers. At the Independent Achievers Awards last night, Theo Paphitis, retailer and entrepreneur, asked the audience of local shopkeepers and trade suppliers who the most important person in his Ryman business was? The customer, said many. My staff, said Theo. Retail is fantastic, he said. As a youth, Theo learned about life and about business by running his school tuck shop. When the teachers complained to him about crisp wrappers littering the playground, he paid youngsters in crisps for every 25 packets they picked up. Where did he get the crisps from? From his supplier, who provided free stock once it understood his purpose. Retail is about working with your suppliers...

I was lucky to attend this week's Retail Trust London Ball, which included the final of its Search for a Star talent contest open to everyone working in the UK retail sector, which may be as many as 3 million people. The top four were: Nicola, who won; Victoria; Leanne; and Louise. They were fantastic singers but nervous with it. Each arrived with a back story that demonstrated their willingness to put their hand up and take part and despite nerves to perform in front of a panel that includes pop stars Lis McClarnon and Antony Costa and in front of a gala dinner audience including retail stars such as Sir Phillip Green, Sir Stuart Rose and Theo Paphitis. What is great for the retail industry is that it is showing it is prepared to invest in its people and they are responding. The Search for a Star will run again in 2010 and the challenge for local shops is to see if they can encourage their staff to take part too! While there is a chance that you will lose a great member of staff t...