Training and Development

We cover a huge range of retail challenges. Check out what we’ve done for a few of our clients.

“We chose First Friday to support the transition between our existing Epos in store system and a new I-pos system”
Brian Townsend - General Manager, Central Operations, COMET
“First Friday were able to inspire a level of enthusiasm in all our staff. Their work was all highly engaging and just as importantly, delivered on time”
Malcolm Beaton – Head of On-Shelf Availability, HOMEBASE
“For John Lewis, what sets First Friday apart in the creation and delivery of training is their extensive and in-depth retail experience"
Paul Hayes – Head of Systems Development, JOHN LEWIS PARTNERSHIP PLC
“The First Friday consultants have all been at the cutting edge of retail – they have all been users in the environment they are training into”
Ian Preedy – Trading Controller, WICKES
“First Friday worked well with us to meet our objectives and their practical retail experience meant that they understood our priorities and the pressures we were facing”
Simon Liebling – Director of Information Technology, ALLIANCE PHARMACY
“We worked with First Friday on this project for 18 months and found their consultants to have a good commercial focus and retail knowledge."
Debbie Jenssen – Head of International Operational Training, TESCO
“They offered expertise in visual merchandising and an outstanding level of commitment – they weren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get involved.”
Muriel Stirling – Marketing Director, TJ HUGHES
“First Friday is the right company to cultivate the attitude of change. We needed an organisation that could spread enthusiasm about the project"
Mark Treverrow – IT Director, BUDGENS
“First Friday based the training on experiences relevant to our roles and we were quickly able to understand the importance and impact of the new system”
Course Delegate, HARVEY NICHOLS
“The SPARkling Service development programme has more than exceeded our expectations, from the initial focus group work right through to the launch of the training”
Phillip Marchant – Corporate Development Director, SPAR UK Ltd

Training & Development

> Screwfix - successful trial of Diploma in Retail Skills
> Tesco - project management training

Hundreds of people have completed this training course already and First Friday continue to run it on a regular basis...
> M&S - skills training for store based section managers

"The best course I have ever been on" - a great, and typical, response from one delegate.
> Epos rollout for multi-brand retailer – making training impactful and enduring

Training every member of store retail teams on new Epos system
> DIY retailer – fitting in with the business needs

Delivering a sales adviser training programme to support a new store expansion rollout
> Speciality retailer – ‘teach a man to fish..’

Developing and delivering training for warehousing system upgrade for both administration and operational staff
> International fashion retailer – theory and practice makes perfect

Training the Buying and Merchandising team to use a new allocation and replenishment system
> Large retail group – confidence to do more

Helping transform a pool of buyers who had merchandising responsibility into a proper merchandising team.
> Local council scheme – preparing for retail

Giving unemployed people an insight into working in the world of retail.

Business Change

> Supermarket fashion chain – delivering change from the inside

Setting up business change stream to support end to end planning implementation
> Large online-only fashion store – making it happen...fast

Helping all departments embrace and embed a new WSSI system
> General goods multiple – group benefits

Helping buying and merchandising teams work more closely together under their group banner
> Fashion retailer – support through change

Implementing a new merchandise planning system and increasing core merchandising skills.
> High street multiple - new system, new team...

To implement a new system and integrate a new team through change management and training
> FMCG - prioritising change

Identifying priorities for a new IT team tasked with improving support for the trading division
> Major department store – growing capability in merchandise planning

Supporting business change, training and development for new planning, forecasting and replenishment system.
> Supermarket clothing retailer - embracing a new system

Supporting the implementation of a merchandise financial planning system

Communication

> DIY retailer - adding magic to store training

Creating a communications programme to support the launch of store process guidebooks
> Global consumer brand - delivering major change…alongside the day job

Helping to deliver significant business benefits within the introduction of a multi-million pound system
> Specialist retailer - ensuring awareness of change and it’s potential impacts

Creating a communications programme central to a major business change
> Large UK supermarket – communication smoothes the path of change

Reassuring and educating a fearful team about the wide benefits of a business-wide systems change programme
> High street clothing retailing group – communication makes it happen

Helping implement an ambitious large scale EPOS replacement programme
> Global consumer brand - gaining attention in a busy environment

Engaging a busy business in a systems upgrade programme