Signing up to this bespoke, free programme for retailers in Norfolk, will help you boost motivation and creativity to develop your business.
For the summer programme (2025), we welcome applications from Fakenham, Diss, North Walsham and Dereham and surrounding areas. To sign up or find out more, contact us at nhsm@norfolk.gov.uk. You can also directly Sign Up here and tick ‘Retail Excellence‘ under ‘Reason for Enquiry‘.
Read on to find out what we have planned for you and your team!
What is the purpose of the Retail Excellence Programme?
The Retail Excellence Programme is designed to:
- Upskill high street retailers
- Foster a stronger sense of community
- Encourage innovation and future retail collaborations.
It’s tailored for Norfolk’s diverse towns, with a focus on:
- Thoughtful workshop structure
- Effective use of training hours
- Practical, accessible content for all experience levels
- Skilled delivery team
- Expert guest speakers.
Who can take part in the programme?
- Traditional shop retailers
- Market stall traders
- Farm shops
- Online retailers seeking physical premises
- Estate agents, beauticians, hairdressers (for relevant sessions).
What workshops are included in the summer programme of 2025?
Workshop 1: Love your town (In Person)
Date: early July 2025
Focus: Setting the Scene ‘Understanding your Town’.
Key Aims: Start town networking groups, create community pride, understand local skills and challenges.
Knowledge & Tools: Retail scene, demographics, success stories, SWOT analyses.
Date: early July 2025
Focus: Setting the Scene ‘Understanding your Town’.
Key Aims: Start town networking groups, create community pride, understand local skills and challenges.
Knowledge & Tools: Retail scene, demographics, success stories, SWOT analyses.
Workshop 4: Operational Excellence
Date: 31 July 2025 (Online)
Focus: Retail standards, operations, H&S and Procedures
Key Aims: Improve standards, streamline operations and align with customer needs.
Knowledge & Tools: Inventory systems, safety standards and customer insights.
Date: 31 July 2025 (Online)
Focus: Retail standards, operations, H&S and Procedures
Key Aims: Improve standards, streamline operations and align with customer needs.
Knowledge & Tools: Inventory systems, safety standards and customer insights.
Workshop 2: Strategic Planning & Financial Literacy
Date: 17 July 2025 (Online)
Focus: Strategic Planning & Financial Literacy
Key Aims: Clarify market position, build a growth strategy and enhance financial skills.
Knowledge & Tools: Trends, market placement, business plans, Profit and Loss and budgeting.
Date: 17 July 2025 (Online)
Focus: Strategic Planning & Financial Literacy
Key Aims: Clarify market position, build a growth strategy and enhance financial skills.
Knowledge & Tools: Trends, market placement, business plans, Profit and Loss and budgeting.
Workshop 5: Merchandising and Customer Service
Date: 14 August 2025 (Online)
Focus: Merchandising, product ranges, systems and customer experience
Key Aims: Build effective product ranges, visual merchandising and elevate customer experience.
Knowledge & Tools: Retail pricing, bestsellers and margins.
Tools: Breakeven calculator and floor planner.
Date: 14 August 2025 (Online)
Focus: Merchandising, product ranges, systems and customer experience
Key Aims: Build effective product ranges, visual merchandising and elevate customer experience.
Knowledge & Tools: Retail pricing, bestsellers and margins.
Tools: Breakeven calculator and floor planner.
Workshop 3: Marketing for Town Retailers
Date: 24 July 2025 (Online)
Focus: Digital Marketing & Retail Sales Activity
Key Aims: Build a digital campaign plan, understand digital strategy and create a Sales Activity Planner.
Knowledge & Tools: SEO, social media and campaign planning.
Date: 24 July 2025 (Online)
Focus: Digital Marketing & Retail Sales Activity
Key Aims: Build a digital campaign plan, understand digital strategy and create a Sales Activity Planner.
Knowledge & Tools: SEO, social media and campaign planning.
Workshop 6: Moving Forward: Collaboration and community impact. (In Person)
Date: end of August 2025
Focus: Community Pride & Next Steps
Key Aims: Celebrate achievements, fund Pride of Place ideas and support for continued growth.
Date: end of August 2025
Focus: Community Pride & Next Steps
Key Aims: Celebrate achievements, fund Pride of Place ideas and support for continued growth.
How do I get more information or sign up?
To sign up or find out more, contact us at: nhsm@norfolk.gov.uk.
You can also directly Sign Up here and tick ‘Retail Excellence‘ under ‘Reason for Enquiry‘.
This is a free and impartial service provided by Norfolk County Council and New Anglia Growth Hub.