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Additional sources of income are now regarded as essential for the long term survival of most types of visitor attractions. Retailing is often seen as an easy way of generating some of this additional funding but setting up and running a successful shop requires very different skills from those needed to manage the day-to-day operation of a museum, a cathedral or a country estate. This is where we can help. We are practical people with 'hands on' experience. We provide workable solutions to your problems and, as no two situations are the same, our solutions are tailor-made to your own particular circumstances. Essentially, we offer the expertise to help you to manage your trading activities professionally and profitably. If, however, you would prefer to receive a guaranteed income from your retailing and would like to concentrate your time and resources elsewhere in your business, we are very happy to talk to you about the benefits of Contract Retailing.
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| Unless we are asked to do
a very specific task, such as recruiting your staff, developing a new
product range or designing a new
shop, we normally start by carrying out a detailed analysis of your
existing retail business and/or your plans for the future. Once we
have completed our study, we make recommendations on where and how
improvements can be made.
The degree to which we then become involved in your business is entirely at your discretion. With most of our clients we work with their staff to implement our recommendations and monitor the resulting improvements in performance. The areas in which our advice is most often sought are:-
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| Since 1991, we have
been advising tourist attractions on all aspects of retailing and our
client list speaks for itself. We also practice what we preach.
In 1995 we were awarded a 10 year contract to run the visitor reception,
ticket sales and retailing at the Bass Museum in Burton upon Trent.
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John Prescott
has a wealth of retail experience and knowledge.
He began his working life in Chartered Accountancy but then moved
into retailing where he has held senior management positions with major
high street companies.
He has worked exclusively in the heritage retail sector since
1979, forming his own company, Retail Matters, in 1991. In addition
to his consultancy work, John is the chairman of Lichfield Cathedral's
trading company, is a
lecturer on Heritage & Museum Management at Birmingham University
and has written retail course material for the Open University. Chris Prescott. Prior to joining Retail Matters in May 2004, Chris was Head of Retail for the National Trust where she had worked for the previous 15 years. She was directly responsible for the strategic direction and development of the Trust’s £28 million retail business including over 200 shops at properties and in the high street, plant sales, farm shops, mail order and e-commerce. She also managed the buying team and has a wealth of experience in product development and range planning. Before joining the National Trust, Chris had gained an excellent grounding in retail management with Marks & Spencer and Mothercare and subsequently qualified as a lecturer in retail management.
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| If you would like an
independent assessment of how your current retail operation is
performing, or whether your proposals for a new venture are viable,
please contact us to arrange an on-site meeting, entirely without
obligation.
Beaufort House
Willesley Tetbury Gloucestershire GL8 8QU Telephone: 01666 880444 email:
retailmatters@aol.com |
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