With many retailers still struggling to keep afloat, any help is welcome. A free City of Sydney program helps retail stores thrive in the digital marketplace.
The Retail Innovation Program has already helped 15 retailers this year and applications are now open for the next round. It is customised to support small to medium business across a variety of retail categories including homewares and furniture.
Up to 20 retailers will be selected for the 12-week program, which will help bricks and mortar retailers explore new ways of doing business.
“The Retail Innovation Program is a unique opportunity for local business owners to validate their boldest ideas and move their business forward, with personalised support from expert entrepreneurs and experienced retailers who intimately understand the challenges at hand,” says Elisa-Marie Dumas, head of programs and partnerships at Investible.
“This is a high-value program that offers retailers the perspective and insight needed to grow. We invite retailers who want to review and test their business model, learn new, innovative strategies and de-risk their growth plans to apply.”
One of the previous participants is Kate Fellow, owner of Kate’s Cakes and Saint John Espresso, who says the program was an inspiration.
“I was pretty happy with where my business was, but my growth was flattening out,” she explains. “I was eager to achieve more, but I didn’t know where to take the business.
“We were doing a business bootcamp when I realised that people don’t have to leave the house to order a cake or even pick one up―that was the lightbulb moment for me.
“One of the things I identified through the program was about maximising existing revenue streams. It was at that moment that the office cake delivery idea took hold.
“The program has given me so much depth in terms of what I need to know and what works financially. It challenged us all to think differently about our businesses.”
Applications close on 24 November 2019.
