16th January 2020: Retail Defined: You Must Change or You Will Die – 1 Day Seminar

The past five years has seen the retail industry come under immense pressure. From independents to leading High Street chains many long-established stores have permanently closed as margins are squeezed between footfall decline and rising costs. According to the accountancy firm PwC a record 2,481 shops disappeared from the UK High Street last year, while many others have reduced store numbers and restructured their businesses.

The current climate has seen a huge shift in spending and retailers’ failing to adapt are falling by the wayside. Despite all the losses there have been success stories with the likes of Inditex, the fashion retailer, which owns the likes of Zara, Pull & Bear and Massimo Dutti, posting 5% year-on-year sales growth to €5.93bn (£5.28bn) in the three months to April 30 2019. These figures demonstrate the success of the Inditex’s business strategy, which incorporates adaptable, customer-led, lean practices.

James Stewart Director of Lean at Burberry explains why lean strategies are the way forward:

“Over the past 25-years I have worked across multiple industries coaching senior leaders a new business model (The Toyota Business System) which has fundamentally changed the paradigms within those industries I have worked.

“More recently I have been working in retail and for the past 6-years some pioneering organisations such as Inditex, Lidl & Aldi and now Gucci & LVMH have adopted this business model. I have seen first hand how this paradigm change is now starting to effect the entire retail industry. A polarisation is happening with a few organisations enjoying exceptional growth through this new model and the majority with falling sales and even collapse.

“I can see first hand the importance that the Toyota business model or ‘Lean’ will have if your organisation is to survive in this industry. This happened and continues to happen in the automotive industry. As Burberry’s Director of Lean Transformation I believe there is only one way forward for retailers today. They must understand these new principals of a pull not push business model, flow V’s batch production and true customer centricity.

This is why I’ve coordinated a top level accredited seminar with leading international speakers from some of those retailers who adopted this model. They can share their own experiences with huge success within their organisations who are now leading in their sectors of retail. I believe if retailers do not change now they will die!”

1-Day Seminar / CPPD – Retail Defined: You Must Change or You Will Die

Taking place at Fashion Enter HQ on Thursday 16th January 2020 James Stewart, Lean Director Burberry will be hosting this top level accredited seminar with leading international speakers on the importance of the Toyota business model or ‘Lean’ practices to ensure continued success for retailers. This high level accredited Level 5 CPPD session will include guest speakers from Kaizen Institute, Farfetch, Sonae Group, FNAC, Leroy Merlin and Fashion Enter Ltd will provide crucial insights that leading CEO/ COO and decision-making directors need to hear.

The 1-day seminar is strictly limited to ten places and will take place at Fashion Enter HQ, Haringey with an 8.30am breakfast start and post-workshop drinks at 5.30pm. Attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of Strat to Action – The KAIZEN method for turning Strategy into Action by Alberto Bastos & Charlie Sharman.

To enquire and book a place please contact: stephanie@fashion-enter.com