Training and Change Management specialists First Friday have extended their services to include the Russian retail market in a joint venture with IMS Retail, part of the IMS Group, Russia’s leading provider of outsourced sales and marketing solutions. In a move that follows those of European retailers such as Ikea and Kingfisher, First Friday have looked to this dynamic and exciting market as their next field of opportunity.

First Friday, who experienced phenomenal success in the UK during 2004, will provide the specialist retail training offered by IMS Retail. This will include training in Customer Service, Visual Merchandising, Retail Management, and Buying and Merchandising.

Adrian Stewart, Managing Director at IMS Retail commented on the decision to work with First Friday: ‘We surveyed the European market to find a company with a strong track record and specialism in retail training. First Friday had an excellent customer portfolio and were able to offer a comprehensive training service covering all elements of retail business and strategy’. He continued: ‘We are delighted that First Friday will be working in partnership with IMS Retail to capitalise on the growth that the Russian retail market is currently enjoying. We expect the relationship to be highly successful for both companies’.

The Russian retail market has seen huge changes over the last six months with international and European chains showing great interest in expanding operations into the country. From 1999-2004, the Russian consumer market doubled and is projected to double again over the next 5 years. ‘With such performance, it could theoretically become the eighth largest market in the world’ claims Stewart. ‘The growth in the retail market will in turn bring a whole host of new business concepts to the fore, all of which will need to be communicated to stores, this is where we need First Fridays training services

Robin Turner, Managing Director at First Friday says of the venture: ‘Russian consumer preferences are shifting towards modern formats that offer greater variety and convenience. Over the last year consumers have become more demanding in terms of quality of services and assortment. This presents retailers with many challenges including that of attracting and keeping customers. We believe that First Friday will compliment IMS’s current retail offering by providing a training element that will help deliver consistent high quality customer experiences and retail standards.’ Turner concludes: ‘We hope to replicate the same level of success in Russia as we have enjoyed in the UK’.

Key Russian retail market facts:

• Retail Turnover and consumer incomes are growing in real terms at 8-12% year on year.
• In 2003 Retail Turnover in Russia increased by 11%
• The turnover of chain retailers has been increasing by more than 50% per year over the past 3-4 years.
• In 2004, food retail accounted for nearly half of total retail sales (around 42%).

Source: Moscow State Statistics Committee, IRG estimations

First Friday’s expertise lies in developing and delivering training solutions to all key business functions in retail. The IMS Retail team partners with retailers' marketing and merchandising teams to strengthen the value chain, the series of activities that deliver more shoppers and more sales.

back to top