Mary Portas & Fashion Retail Experts will debate the future of fashion at a business event being launched as part of this month’s Leeds Shopping Week – ‘The Business of Retail’ will be held the city’s Corn Exchange on 21 October, 2009.
Edited by Jennifer Denby
Organised by Marketing Leeds and Access & Community Engagement at the University of Leeds, the 90-minute Question Time-style debate will be held in front of 200 people and is being chaired by Eileen Connolly, Chair of the British Council of Shopping Centres Retail Marketing Committee.
The panel will feature nationally significant retailers and experts including Mary Portas, arguably the UK's foremost authority on retail and brand communications and who was instrumental in opening the Leeds branch of Harvey Nichols, the first outside London, in 1996.
Tim Whitworth, Chief Executive of high street retailer Republic, which has 100+ stores across the UK, will be joined by property developer Gerald Jennings, Land Securities’ Retail Portfolio Director for the North and Scotland, alongside retail skills expert Jane Rexworthy, Head of the National Skills Academy for Retail.
Mary Portas said of her involvement in the event: “Having been very involved in the opening of the Leeds store of Harvey Nichols, the first outside of London, I am delighted to be returning to the city for this event which will celebrate retail excellence.”
Deborah Green, Chief Executive of Marketing Leeds added: “In Leeds we believe in tackling issues head on and are proud of our positive, no nonsense ‘Yorkshire approach’ and I look forward to welcoming participants from around the UK to debate issues and share best practice.
“Fashion retailers are facing uncertain times and the debate will encourage thought leadership and demonstrate our city’s positive approach to tackling important issues.”
Synopsis of the Debate
“Clothing retailers are facing challenging times, with high street sales down for the fourth consecutive month this August and stories of famous brands struggling to remain afloat hitting the headlines on an almost daily basis.
There is a huge amount to be celebrated however with discount fashion brands experiencing record sales and a 17% increase in online sales year-on-year1.
The Business of Retail will explore the current issues surrounding fashion retailing, including the impact of online retail and the importance of brand development and will give you a unique opportunity to ask a panel of experts for their views.”
The event, which is by invitation only, will also be used to showcase the city's retail capital to a national audience, will be held in the recently restored magnificent Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre, one of the many unique retail spaces within the city.
The Business of Retail will form part of the fourth annual Leeds Shopping Week (15-25 October). As well as the debate, the week will include fashion shows, promotions and events across the city to celebrate the city’s retail offer.