Marketing advice for shopkeepers

Rochdale shopkeepers who successfully completed the first marketing workshops course are pictured with their certificates, presented after the final workshop. They are pictured with Main Marketing trainers and Esther Shepley (back row, fifth right) of SRB

Shopkeepers in Rochdale are leading the way in challenging the sales power of chain stores after successfully completing a series of marketing workshops.

Now, more retailers from the inner Rochdale area can pick up top marketing techniques as another course is being held next month.

The free, one-hour practical sessions are held over two weeks, and are designed to teach retailers how to market and promote their businesses successfully, using simple low-cost, or even no-cost, methods.

Tariq Mahmood, of Arien Distribution, attended the first course in March and said: “The programme was brilliant, marvellous. A real eye-opener.”

Michelle Moore, who runs Fairy Dust, the special occasion clothing shop, said: “I learned that something as simple as wearing a badge with my name on would help me create a more friendly atmosphere and help me establish a one-to-one relationship with each customer. It’s worked.”

The sessions are run in Rochdale by Main Marketing on behalf of Revitalising inner Rochdale SRB5.

Esther Shepley, of the SRB5 team, said: “The course gives shopkeepers practical marketing advice that is easy to implement. The retailers who attended the March course all said how worthwhile it was, and how it has made a real difference to their business success.”

The next course is on May 8, 11, 15 and 18, starting at 6pm with refreshments. Places are limited so, to check if you are eligible to attend, contact Esther on 752425 or Asma at Ethnic Minority Business Service on 516613.