Online training event to help businesses in this uncertain time

LOCAL Enterprise Office Wicklow will hold a live online training event on how to lead your retail business in uncertain times.

In recent weeks many retail businesses have had to adapt quickly to a much-changed market. Most have seen a significant decrease in footfall and sales.

The webinar taking place in May will allow retailers the opportunity to plan in the short term and also prepare for and ensure readiness to trade again when the current crisis ends.

The workshop will focus on five key strands in retail operations and allow participants to discuss and formulate strategic plans. Participants will learn about Inventory and how to turn stock into cash, ensuring stock loss is minimised, setting inventory controls to ensure optimum stock levels. The webinar will also focus on channelling and controlling cash flow, supplier agreements, payment deferrals and state funding supports for staff.

Another aspect of the programme will be communications and how to identify internal and external stakeholders, marketing, social media presence and current trading options.

Participants will be encouraged to use this time to set in place improved/new means to trade e.g. online presence, inventory controls, retail store layout, re-merchandising opportunities.

Hosting this webinar is Mark English from award-winning consultancy Jigsaw VAE Ltd. The free webinar takes place on May 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Bookings will close 24 hours before the course.