Focus on retail management training

Retail Managers and Supervisors make up 2.5% (over 40,000 people) of the New Zealand workforce. However, in general, this group have no formal management training or qualifications. It should therefore be no surprise that educating this group is the core focus for Retail Institute.

Retail Institute has added two more modules to its retail management qualification, the National Certificate in Retail (Level 4). This will allow retailers to pick and choose the modules they are interested in.

Creating Your Competitive Edge and Informed Retail Sales are due to be released in March 2011. Creating Your Competitive Edge is a marketing based module. It focuses on developing a point of difference, planning and implementing campaigns, developing a customer database and using it to develop customer relationships.

Informed Retail Sales covers reviewing store policies and procedures for float preparation, reconciling and solving variances in sales and takings, using effective communication techniques to match the motivations of customers, and using data to inform decisions.

The National Certificate in Retail (Level 4) is the management qualification for the retail industry. It is ideal for retail managers or supervisors, or experienced retail staff aspiring to become managers or supervisors. It is also designed for anyone who has completed the National Certificate in Retail (Level 3) and wants to step up to the next skill level. In 2010 the Retail Institute revised its Level 4 qualification and re-released a module based self-directed training programme that is supported with an informative DVD. During 2011 Retail Institute will also be offering tutoring for anyone doing the programme.

Retailers completing the qualification must complete two compulsory modules and two elective modules.

The compulsory modules are:

• Leadership Development: The role of a leader is to influence individuals and teams to work in a way that aligns with a workplace’s vision and values, ensuring goals are achieved. The Leadership Development module covers leadership and management, problem-solving, self-development and managing in a retail environment.
• Keeping Your Business Profitable: Being profitable is the core of business survival. There are many different aspects of store operations that impact on profitability. The Keeping Your Business Profitable module covers performing business calculations, running a profitable store, managing stock, keeping staff focused, safety and security and legislation and compliance.

The elective modules are:

• Creating Your Competitive Edge: (as detailed above)
• Informed Retail Sales: (as detailed above)
• High Performing Teams: For a store to function smoothly there must be effective teamwork. When teams work effectively together staff are satisfied, there is lower staff turnover, and productivity is increased. The High Performing Teams module covers working collaboratively, communication skills, filling skills gaps and managing conflict.
• Training and Assessment in the Workplace: Training and Assessment in the Workplace is designed to build in-store capability by providing managers and supervisors with the skills they need to become trainers and assessors in their workplace. It covers developing training plans, providing guidance and feedback to staff, understanding unit standards and understanding verification.

For more information, or to sign up to the National Certificate in Retail (Level 4), please contact Retail Institute on 0800 486 738 or info@retailinstitute.org.nz