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Retail Assembly expands 'The Industry Sessions' to D.C.
RETAIL ASSEMBLY EXPANDS ‘THE INDUSTRY SESSIONS’ TO D.C.
Workshops improve fashion and retail professionals understanding of the business
Washington, D.C. – (Friday November 10, 2014)
Fashion and retail training agency RETAIL ASSEMBLY heads to Washington for the first time to introduce ‘The Industry Sessions’. The one day workshops are intended to give brand managers, sales reps, buyers, and planners a deeper understanding of the commerce supporting fashion and retail.
James Bessen recently reported for HBR.org that 54 percent of workers don’t think they know everything they need to know in order to do their current jobs. The Retail Math and Buying workshops bridge that knowledge and skills gap. It is the product that initially attracts professionals to a career in retail. What supports that product – from production to sales – is math.
“Retail Math has been something our corporate partners and clients have demanded from us from day one,” says Jennifer Pilkington, Managing Director of RETAIL ASSEMBLY. “Typically we tailor specific development projects to suit the client’s business and their employees. We are excited to have created an industry-general set of workshops to serve small to medium sized organizations in a more intimate environment.”
The workshop will advance participants understanding of how retail math affects both the commerce and customer-facing aspects of the business. “Developing the skills to drive key metrics is something many professionals wish they had a better handle on,” says Pilkington. By planning and manipulating the various factors impacting profit and sales, participants can expect greater confidence in their roles, and a broader toolbox for problem solving on the job.
This round of workshops has limited space. Attendees will receive information on topics related to costing, mark-up and profit, markdowns and driving inventory productivity. Sessions are divided into two days: RETAIL BUYING on November 20, and RETAIL MATH on November 21. Participants will also have access to RETAIL ASSEMBLY’s related online content.
“The Industry Sessions’ will take place in Washington D.C. on Thursday November 20 and Friday November 21, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
ABOUT RETAIL ASSEMBLY:
RETAIL ASSEMBLY is a training and development agency – connecting the creative and the commerce. Serving the retail and fashion industry, every one of our instructors and contributors is steeped in the business end of fashion and retail.
http://retail-assembly.org | @RetailAssembly
Media Contact | Susan Miller s.miller@assembleholdco.org
Download a copy of the release | RETAIL ASSEMBLY EXPANDS ‘THE INDUSTRY SESSIONS’ TO D.C.
Retail Assembly presents 'The Retail Math Industry Session' in Los Angeles
RETAIL ASSEMBLY presents 'The Retail Math Industry Session' in Los Angeles
New workshop aims to improve fashion and retail professionals understanding of the business
Los Angeles, CA – (Thursday September 25, 2014)
Fashion and retail training agency RETAIL ASSEMBLY returns to Los Angeles to introduce ‘The Retail Math industry sessions’. The one and two day workshops are intended to give brand managers, sales reps, buyers, and planners a deeper understanding of the commerce supporting fashion and retail.
James Bessen recently reported for HBR.org that 54 percent of workers don’t think they know everything they need to know in order to do their current jobs. Product is what drives most professionals into the fashion and retail industry, but many professionals don’t have a strong understanding of the math that supports the business – from production to sales.
“Retail Math has been something our corporate partners and clients have demanded from us from day one,” says Jennifer Pilkington, Managing Director of RETAIL ASSEMBLY. “Typically we tailor development programs to suit the client’s business and teams. We are excited to have created an industry-general set of workshops to serve small to medium sized organizations outside of a tradeshow setting.”
The workshop will advance participants understanding of how retail math affects both the commerce and customer-facing aspects of fashion. “Developing the skills to impact key metrics is something many professionals wish they had a better handle on,” says Pilkington. By planning and manipulating the various factors impacting profit and sales, participants can expect greater confidence in their roles, and a broader toolbox for problem solving on the job.
This round of workshops has limited spacing. Attendees will receive information on topics related to costing, mark-up and profit, markdowns and driving inventory productivity. Sessions are divided into two days: The Foundational session taking place October 21, and Advanced Fundamentals is October 22. Participants will also have access to RETAIL ASSEMBLY’s related online content.
'The Retail Math Industry Sessions’ will take place in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 21 and Wednesday October 22, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
ABOUT RETAIL ASSEMBLY:
RETAIL ASSEMBLY is a training and development agency – connecting the creative with the commerce. Serving the retail and fashion industry, every one of our instructors and contributors is steeped in the business of fashion and retail.
http://retail-assembly.org | @RetailAssembly
Media Contact | Susan Miller, Assemble Hold Co., s.miller@assembleholdco.org
Download a copy of this release | RETAIL ASSEMBLY PRESENTS ‘THE RETAIL MATH INDUSTRY SESSIONS’
Retail Assembly launches Digital Commerce Course
RETAIL ASSEMBLY LAUNCHES DIGITAL COMMERCE COURSE
Online course to help brands and retailers improve creative, customers & business
Toronto, ON – (September 20, 2014)
RETAIL ASSEMBLY Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of their newest online course, Digital Commerce. Every brand and retailer, whether new or refreshing their online / mobile commerce offering will have access to a two month subscription online to the course content, tools, and resources.
Digital commerce continues to unfold at a quick pace as consumers demand more of brands and new technology is introduced daily. “There re three business aspects at play here: ecommerce, mobile, and ‘the internet of things’. Our Digital Commerce offering considers each aspect part of a complete brand experience – not three separate silos”, Jennifer Pilkington, managing director of RETAIL ASSEMBLY Inc. explains.
The Digital Commerce course replaces the successful E-Commerce course previously offered by the training and development agency. “We found most of our conversations evolving beyond just an online shop. They began to include ‘big data’, seamless customer experiences, mobile, etc.” says Pilkington. The Digital Commerce course is not just appropriate for larger retailers, but also for small and medium sized businesses. Within the data section there are very simple metrics stores of all size will find useful.
Carrying on a tradition of interactive courses, with access to industry experts, instructors, and contributors, learners will gain a strong foundation to build / improve upon their digital strategies. “Ultimately, we provide our users with a great foundation, and fresh ideas to apply to their business. Helping with career advancement is a nice bonus for those taking courses as part of corporate training programs – or individually”, says Pilkington
Users sign-up for the course at retail-assembly.org, $450 US for 2 months.
COURSE OFFERING
- Retail and fashion buying
- Sales & brand management
- Merchandise Planning
- Retail Math
- Product Management
- Digital commerce
ABOUT RETAIL ASSEMBLY
RETAIL ASSEMBLY is the training and developing agency serving the best brands and retailers around the globe. Every one of our courses and sessions has been developed with a network of professionals spanning industries (lifestyle to luxury), and businesses (specialty to mass).
@RetailAssembly | http://retail-assembly.org
Media contact | Susan Miller | s.miller@assembleholdco.org
Download a copy of the release | RETAIL ASSEMBLY LAUNCHES DIGITAL COMMERCE COURSE
'The Retailer's Point of View' workshop launches, benefiting the Art of Fashion
‘THE RETAILER’s point of view’ workshop launches, benefiting the ART OF FASHION
Online workshop to help new designers grow their business
Toronto, ON – (August 11, 2014) RETAIL ASSEMBLY, the fashion industry’s training and development agency, announced the launch of ‘The Retailer’s Point of View’ workshop today. Half of the revenue generated from the sale will benefit the Art of Fashion, a not-for-profit championing the Canadian fashion industry.
The online workshop was developed for new designers, sales reps and account managers. “We are pleased to be supporting the Canadian fashion industry with this great offering at a great price”, says Jennifer Pilkington, Managing Director RETAIL ASSEMBLY Inc.
The Retailer’s Point of View contains content, videos, transcripts, worksheets and toolkits to help industry professionals grow their retail sales. Topics emphasized include:
- Defining your customer
- Creating an effective sell-strategy
- Meeting a buyer / retailer’s needs
- Negotiating strong vendor terms agreements
- Grow your sales
Some of the content was recorded at the Retailer’s Point of View event. Boutique owner Laura Bernhardson of Fresh Collective, along with Art of Fashion’s Michelle Planche hosted the evening and engaged with attendees on a variety of related topics.
“This workshop is a great way to reach new designers and reps, and help them to bridge the gap from design to sales and business growth,” reiterated Pilkington.
The Retailer's Point of View workshop is available online at retail-assembly.org for $40 USD.
ABOUT RETAIL ASSEMBLY
RETAIL ASSEMBLY is the training and development agency – connecting the creative with the commerce. Serving the retail and fashion industry, every one of our instructors and contributors is steeped in the business of fashion and retail.
http://retail-assembly.org | @RetailAssembly
Media Contact:
Susan Miller, Assemble Hold Co. s.miller@assembleholdco.org
ABOUT ART OF FASHION
Art of Fashion (AOF) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization offering emerging apparel and accessory designers access to information and resources to enhance their fashion business and career growth alongside platforms to showcase their talents. The organization's mission is to champion high-caliber Canadian fashion by fostering the careers of talented emerging designers and also create award-winning platforms for exposure.
artoffashion.org | @ArtofFashion
Download a copy of the release | 'THE RETAILER'S POINT OF VIEW' WORKSHOP LAUNCHES, BENEFITING ART OF FASHION
Retail Assembly sponsors Art of Fashion's Retailer's Point of View
RETAIL ASSEMBLY sponsors Art of Fashion’s Retailer’s Point of View
Event to help designers sell to retailers
Toronto, ON – (July 1, 2014) RETAIL ASSEMBLY, the fashion industry’s training and development agency, announced today they will be supporting the Art of Fashion's Retailer’s Point of View. Retailer’s Point of View is an educational event for new designers that will help them through the process of approaching and working with a retailer.
The Retailer’s Point of View is the first event launching The Ultimate Holiday Dress Competition, the final stage of which is a contract with Fresh Collective. Boutique owner Laura Bernhardson will present the following topics for the audience:
- Knowing the retailer, and their customer
- Understanding consignment model
- Ensuring your collection meets the retailer’s need
“This event is a great way to reach new designers, and help them to bridge the gap from design to sales and business growth. We are so pleased to be sponsoring this event, and to be working with Art of Fashion”, says Jennifer Pilkington, Managing Director of RETAIL ASSEMBLY.
RETAIL ASSEMBLY will provide content and digital asset support for the event. Additionally, an online workshop titled ‘Selling to retailers’ will be offered at retail-assembly.org. The workshop will be priced at $40. “Designing a stellar collection is one thing. Selling it is another completely”, Pilkington said.
Limited tickets to the Retailer’s Point of View are available online for $45. The event will be held at Fresh Collective 692 Queen Street West from 7:30pm to 9:00pm July 8, 2014.
ABOUT RETAIL ASSEMBLY
RETAIL ASSEMBLY is a training and development agency – connecting the creative and the commerce. Serving the retail and fashion industry, every one of our instructors and contributors is steeped in the business end of fashion and retail.
http://retail-assembly.org | @RetailAssembly
Media Contact | Susan Miller, s.miller@assembleholdco.org
ABOUT ART OF FASHION
Art of Fashion (AOF) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization offering emerging apparel and accessory designers access to information and resources to enhance their fashion business and career growth alongside platforms to showcase their talents. The organization's mission is to champion high-calibre Canadian fashion by fostering the careers of talented emerging designers and also create award-winning platforms for exposure.
artoffashion.org | @ArtofFashion
Download a copy of this release | RETAIL ASSEMBLY SPONSORS ART OF FASHION'S RETAILER'S POINT OF VIEW
Retail Assembly curated online content
Written by Wendi Chang and Rahul Bajaj
Interview with Jennifer Pilkington
R: So?
JP: “I was listening to this interview with Pharrell, and he was saying it couldn’t be a better year because its 2013 and everything is completely different - and things are not in a box. And then he went on to say, ‘and if they are, it’s like please don’t talk to me - I don’t want to catch your mentality’ [laughs] I love it - don’t ever give me or show me the same old, don’t ever show me a box. There’s good base inside [the box], so use it, but add to it and show me something new and interesting.”
That is the challenge Retail Assembly is tackling on two different levels:
1. Within RA, it’s how to present the content in an interesting way. Also ensure that it’s great, innovative content from people at the top of their game. Aside from learning about a particular aspect of the retail industry, RA wants you to walk away with sparks, ideas, which you can use in your own business.
2. Provide the user a platform to get out of their box. “Ultimately what we want is to allow you to get a really good, really clear understanding of each of the factors affecting your business - and once you’ve got that, you’re golden. You can do whatever you want, because you’ll know the implications of everything you want to do. It’s powerful stuff.”
R: Even so, there are a lot of boxes on the site
JP: Visually, I love boxes, squares, spheres (symmetry) clean. That’s what a foundation should be: stable, balanced, simple. Strategically, I like things still clear, but freeform - not boxed - individual, but still clear. That’s what everyone should walk away with - a individual idea of what they can do better for their customers, their business, etc.
R: How do you get so clear?
JP: I LOVE wading through the mess to get there. Sometimes I spend too much time there [in the mess].
R: Yeah, the mess is key - its kinda how you guys run the content meetings I’ve been to. Everyone throws everything on the table, and then edit, and find the links between this person’s story and that person’s idea. And then it gets edited and organized some more.
JP: Actually, that’s how I used to buy [for retailers] too. Show me everything and let me narrow it down to get the customer -and the business- a great delivery. If it makes you feel better, I used to ask my vendors for as much as I ask from all of you.
R: You push everyone farther and they like it.
JP: [laughs] Most of the time.
LIFESTYLE - WORKSTYLE
We’re at this great place where technology has given us a freedom and a flexibility where we can accomplish more - almost anywhere. For example, I’m working and sitting on a park bench on a sunny Sunday. It’s rumored that part of a RA course was written on a beach in the Caribbean. I’ve been to many fully functional meetings at the Retail Assembly offices on their patio. And I’m going to finish up the Retail Math workshop I’m taking on the couch with my dog and girlfriend tonight on the couch.
Although they work long and hard, and are fueled by craft coffee like any good big-city-based organization, flexibility and ease of use accent almost every conversation. They seem to understand that people - their users - are busy, that they work, they get out of town, they need downtime with friends and family. The RA team wants to facilitate job/career advancement without letting go of any freedom in life.
FOUNDATION - FUNDAMENTALS
In one of my earliest conversations with Jennifer, she retold this story about about a football coach who held, “like, a dozen” practises without a football. The coach emphasized that in a game, you only have the ball for a very small percentage of the time, and that the team would spend most of their time practising the foundational and fundamental skills of the game. Jennifer was quick to say she believed in practising with the ball, but wanted the foundational info in the workshops to be just as solid as those players’ skills.
CONNECTIONS - NETWORKS
This is where things get a bit wild at RA, when you ask them about connections. They have these mind maps where the foundational concepts are laid out for any course. Floating outside of that are more detailed ways to execute each concept, and out from that is another layer of innovation. It seems easy enough - three layers. Then you notice the lines drawn connecting foundations to executions to innovations and it just looks like a mess.
But the crazy thing is, when you’re going through the content at RA, they are making all these connections for you, but it doesn’t seem at all like the maps. It’s simple, one small idea carries over to three other areas. Allocating 200 square feet to something means x for your sales plans, y for your customer’s experience, z for your purchases, etc. It’s seamless, easy.
COMING TOGETHER
“People like people. We like people. And the best part about retail and fashion is that there is no shortage of really stellar people and ideas”. Bringing together fashion and retail’s best to offer up a case study, a story, a contribution is really important to the organization who values, not just learning the business, but applying it to the future. Insights, a peek into what other businesses are doing, and what’s coming down the pipeline are attacked with the same fever as the fundamentals.
Everytime I’m at the Retail Assembly offices, I’m feeling that the retail industry is full of opportunity, and I’ve probably met someone new. Everytime I speak with Jennifer I have a greater sense of freedom than I had before. All this is despite the fact that I have more work to do than before I arrived, and probably another online retail workshop I want to go through. But that is the power of inspiration.
Retail Assembly launches The Workshops Series
RETAIL ASSEMBLY LAUNCHES THE WORKSHOPS SERIES
Online workshops to fill knowledge gaps for brand and retail professionals
Toronto, ON – (March 24, 2014) Fashion and retail training agency RETAIL ASSEMBLY is pleased to announce the launch of their online workshop series. The workshops were created to meet the needs of more advanced professionals who are looking to build their skills in a particular area of the business.
A recent report published on HBR.org indicated that 54 percent of workers don’t think they know everything they need to know in order to do their current jobs. The online workshops fill these knowledge gaps and create masters and best-in-class merchants. Shorter than the courses, the workshop subscriptions are 4 weeks each, but go into greater depth on a narrower topic.
“These workshops have been in-development for quite some time, and we are excited to be launching them. Professionals who are already firmly established in their roles need detailed and inspired insights into the topic they’d like to master”, explains Jennifer Pilkington, managing director of Retail Assembly.
As with each offering, Retail Assembly reached out to their network to develop meaningful, relevant content. Not only will users build a strong foundation for what is happening with the best and brightest currently, but there is a strong element of what may be coming. “Every business needs to maintain and perfect their core, while fostering the new. That applies to product, processes, strategies, and customers,” emphasizes Pilkington.
Carrying on a tradition of interactive courses, with access to industry experts, instructors, and contributors, users will ultimately come to master key fashion and retail skills in the online workshops. Learners can sign-up for the workshops at retail-assembly.org. A subscription runs $190 US for four weeks.
WORKSHOP OFFERING
- Trend Forecasting
- Demand Planning
- Profitable Markdowns
- Wholesale Introduction
- Negotiating
- Assortment Planning
- Inventory Productivity
- Business Forecasting
- Working with a large retailer
ABOUT RETAIL ASSEMBLY
RETAIL ASSEMBLY is the training and developing agency serving the best brands and retailers around the globe. Every one of our courses and sessions has been developed with a network of professionals spanning industries (lifestyle to luxury), and businesses (specialty to majors).
@RetailAssembly | http://retail-assembly.org
Media contact | Susan Miller | s.miller@assembleholdco.org
Download a copy of the release | RETAIL ASSEMBLY LAUNCHES THE WORKSHOPS SERIES
Retail Assembly + KnowShow Present 'Welcome to e-comm"
RETAIL ASSEMBLY + KNOWSHOW PRESENT ‘WELCOME TO E-COMM’ FOR RETAILERS New Workshop Aims to Improve Canadian Retail Profit and Productivity
Vancouver, BC - (January 8, 2014) Canadian retail expert Jennifer Pilkington returns to KNOWSHOW, Canada’s premier lifestyle tradeshow, this January 15th at the Vancouver Convention Centre for the “Welcome to E-Comm” industry learning sessions.
With 63 percent of online consumers in Canada ordering from US retailers, the need for local businesses to offer customers the option to shop online has never been greater. This new workshop shares insight on the growing need for local retailers to implement e-commerce into their business strategy and stay relevant in today’s changing retail landscape.
“What many small to medium sized businesses don’t realize is how easy it is get into e- commerce, especially utilizing existing software and platforms.” says Pilkington. “Our workshop will arm participants with the tools, tricks and tips to launch a web store and generate higher sales profit through online channels.”
Pilkington’s suggestion for small-to-medium retailers is to use an integrated approach, which means retailers treat their web store as an extension of their business and feature existing inventory online. The benefits of this approach include low operational costs, the potential for increased profit and higher levels of customer interaction and exposure.
“Customers not only expect every retailer to have a web-store but also mobile-enabled e- commerce. Survey after survey also reveals that customers are referencing retailer sites for product info before buying,“ she says.
This season’s workshop has over 100 retailers registered to attend, representing a quarter of the attendees registered for KNOWSHOW. Participants at the workshop will receive information on the latest e-commerce software for small to medium business and will also learn her 3 “dos“ for launching a smaller-scale e-commerce strategy:
1.) Usingavailableresources–vendorphotosandexistingplatforms.
2.) Consideringthebigthree-mobilestrategy,shipping,andreturnpolicy. 3.) Integratingsocialmediaandonlinecontent.
"We are excited to continue our partnership with Retail Assembly and fulfill our mandate of facilitating connections and supporting the Canadian retail scene. This e-commerce workshop will provide insight and strategies to help participants stay head in Canada’s ever changing retail landscape”, says KNOWSHOW General Manager, Perry Pugh.
“Welcome to E-Comm” will take place at the Vancouver Convention Center West on January 15th at 10AM.
Interviews with Pilkington are available pre and post event.
www.knowshow.ca www.retail-assembly.org
ABOUT KNOWSHOW:
Established in 2006, the KNOWSHOW is a privately held bi-annual trade show catering to Canada’s top lifestyle, fashion and action sports retailers and brands. Each January and August wholesalers of selected brands and their reps premier new products to the nation’s best retailers and media during a three day show held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.
NEXT KNOWSHOW DATES:
July 30 - August 1st, 2013
Tuesday / Wednesday : 9:00am - 6:00pm Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm
West Hall A 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
@knowshow #knwshw
ABOUT RETAIL ASSEMBLY:
Retail Assembly is a mission-driven organization providing content, tools and resources online to help already great retailers and professionals improve business. A global network of industry pros, leaders and educations have created and vetted the content and methods – if you are looking for a resource to get ahead, RA offers the best out there.
@RetailAssembly #retail
ABOUT JENNIFER PILKINGTON
Jennifer has been managing and running retail businesses for over a decade: Holt Renfrew, Aritzia, Hudson’s Bay, to name a few. She pulled together the founding team at Retail Assembly two years ago. It’s a competitive industry, and she frequently sees business and owners and professionals alike wanting greater understanding (and current information) to increase customer loyalty and improve business.
Media Contact:
Caroline Carter - Dela Cruz PR
caroline@delacruzpr.com
778.918.7206
Download a copy of the release | Retail Assembly + KnowShow Present 'Welcome to e-comm"
Event preview: KnowShow
What you can gain from the massive lifestyle retail tradeshow coming to Vancouver
Kristen Hilderman for BCBUSINESS
Now in its eighth year, Canadian lifestyle retail tradeshow KnowShow will be at the Vancouver Convention Centre from July 30 to August 1. The bi-annual show features about 300 brands showcasing their latest goods to an estimated 2,000 retailers. And there’s more to this gathering than lanyards and tote bags. KnowShow prides itself in subverting the “stuffy tradeshow,” by including on-site DJs, live art installations and its own magazine, all of which contribute to the upbeat atmosphere and non-tradeshow vibe.
Retail expert Jennifer Pilkington of Toronto’s Retail Assembly will be leading the only workshop at the 2013 summer show, sharing insight on how to tackle a tradeshow in a “business-, profit- and productivity-oriented” fashion.
“It’s tips for people to really kill it at a tradeshow,” says Pilkington. “To do it productively and also get a lot of really great new stuff out of it.” For first-timers, or even tradeshow buffs, it can be an overwhelming experience. “There’s so much to see and so much to do,” says Pilkington. “It’s just about prioritizing.”
When considering the Vancouver retail scene, Pilkington says that incoming American giants like Target and J. Crew have been making an impact on local business. “I think in terms of local boutiques, that’s where you’ll see the squeeze,” she says. “I think you just want to know who your customer is and how you’re distinguishing yourself; make sure your product offering is different.”
For retailers attending KnowShow, Pilkington says it’s all about finding the opportunities to differentiate. “Every boutique has its own vision and its own loyal customer base, and I really think it’s about staying true to all of that.”
Image: KNOWSHOW
KnowShow Partners with Retail Assembly to Present Industry Learning Sessions
KNOWSHOW PARTNERS WITH RETAIL ASSEMBLY TO PRESENT INDUSTRY LEARNING SESSIONS
Tradeshow Buying Workshop Aims to Improve Canadian Retail Profit and Productivity
Vancouver, BC - (July 8, 2013) KNOWSHOW is pleased to announce a partnership with Toronto based industry educators, Retail Assembly, for the return of their industry learning sessions to the tradeshow this summer.
Building on their reputation as Canada’s premier lifestyle tradeshow, KNOWSHOW will be offering attendees the chance to maximize their experience through a morning workshop on Tradeshow Buying at the Vancouver Convention Center West on July 30th at 10 AM.
"Because of the distinct, focused vision of every brand, supplier, and retailer at KNOWSHOW, it's the perfect place to create a conversation and offer up a workshop. Partnering with Retail Assembly is helping us fulfill our mandate of facilitating connections and supporting the Canadian retail scene", says KNOWSHOW General Manager, Perry Pugh.
The workshop will be led by Jennifer Pilkington, an instructor from Ryerson University who brings a wealth of industry experience from her work as a buyer for The Bay, Artizia and Holt Renfrew. The session is designed to give retailers and buyers the tools and resources to help recognize opportunities, move key accounts along and improve the profit and productivity of buys in Canada’s shifting retail landscape.
"The retail landscape in Canada is transitioning and a lot of really strong international retailers are entering our market which will give the big guys a great push to evolve. At the same time, the emphasis on provenance, local and diverse experiences, are all resonating with a mass audience. This is where the opportunity is for brands and retailers today and what KNOWSHOW does really well", says Pilkington.
Interviews with Jennifer Pilkington, Perry Pugh, and representatives from local retailers are available pre and post event. Additional information and interviews are available upon request.
ABOUT KNOWSHOW:
Established in 2006, the KNOWSHOW is a privately held bi-annual trade show catering to Canada’s top lifestyle, fashion and action sports retailers and brands. Each January and August wholesalers of selected brands and their reps premier new products to the nation’s best retailers and media during a three day show held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.
NEXT KNOWSHOW DATES:
July 30 - August 1st, 2013
Tuesday / Wednesday : 9:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm
West Hall A 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
www.knowshow.com
@knowshow #knwshw
ABOUT RETAIL ASSEMBLY:
Retail Assembly is a group of top educational and retail professionals gathered together to develop a new, intelligent, light, ENGAGING way to teach the fundamentals of the retail industry. We are redefining professional development through curated content, and the flexible online tools with which the user learns the principles & fundamentals required for each job. Retail Assembly is the result of those collaborations.
www.retail-assembly.org
@RetailAssembly #retail
Download a copy of the release: KNOWSHOW PARTNERS WITH RETAIL ASSEMBLY TO PRESENT INDUSTRY LEARNING SESSIONS
The Inseam Vol. 71: Retail Assembly
Working in the fashion industry can be challenging, especially when you are new to the game or even searching for that missing link in your skill set. Retail Assembly is the latest source of education for those who are seeking a career in fashion, and those who are looking to supplement their knowledge in the field. The website offers a selection of courses and workshops, from Buying to Product Development to Retail Math. Catering to busy schedules, the courses are taught by professionals that are currently active in fashion and creative businesses.
Founder Jennifer Pilkington discusses this innovative model for fashion education and shares her career advice.
Valerie Tiu: Were you always interested in the fashion industry?
Jennifer Pilkington: I wasn’t always interested in fashion but I was always interested in design, colour and shape. When I started at Ryerson, I wasn’t sure that fashion was even the right industry for me because it was so drastically different from all my experiences up to that point. In my second year, I had an internship at Holt Renfrew and when you start working at their corporate offices, it’s really hard not to fall in love with the fashion industry. You have exposure to so much passion and some really great personalities. It was an eye-opening experience.
VT: Where did the concept for Retail Assembly come about?
JP: There were a million little moments that lead to the idea and creation of it. A few months before I started the company, I had frustrating experience after frustrating experience as a manager. I was buying for The Bay at the time and I just couldn’t give my team a good enough opportunity for them to learn on the job and progress.
I was also teaching at Ryerson, and while prepping for the course, content beyond what the textbooks were offering was really hard to come by. Textbooks are always a little bit stale, not current or reflective of the marketplace. So I think it was a culmination of all of those things.
Also, seeing students travel absurd distances to come to class once a week while almost everybody works fulltime. It’s really important for us to consider time constraints and flexibility. At some point I realized that it was time to put my feelers out there, so that’s how it all happened.
VT: What kind of courses do and workshops do you offer?
JP: From Vancouver specifically we get a ton of people coming for our Buying and Product Development classes. Retail Math and The Supply Chain have also been really great workshops. Buying, Product Development, Sourcing and Marketing have been heavier courses that take you through the basics and fundamentals. They’re supplemented with case studies, worksheets and quizzes so they are pretty comprehensive.
VT: Tell us about your team of instructors.
JP: Every single course that we have developed has had multiple people touch it. They either provided the content or feedback. We wanted to ensure that each course reflected the scope of the industry. When I think about what I teach, Fashion Buying, my experience spans the corporate world and bigger companies. I don’t necessarily look at the business the same way that a boutique does.
By bringing in a lot of people who have worked in the industry to look at each course, I think it provides an unbiased view. We have at least one person from the education field to take a look at it, just to make sure there is sound structure to it.
For example, in the buying course, we had people come from boutiques and also corporate retailers. I think that’s what makes me so excited about what we’re doing – that everybody who has contributed to the courses is currently working in the industry. It creates room and space for new instructors to come in and contribute. I used my global network - we didn’t necessarily want to keep it specific to Canada.VT: Why do you think education is important for people aspiring to work in fashion?
JP: I don’t think it’s the most important thing. But I do think for a lot of people, those job opportunities are not available as quick as you want them, or may be available at all. For people who are in store sales for example, education gives you a base to start from. It will set your resume apart because it shows that you’re serious about a career in fashion.
In an interview it will show that you understand concepts and the fundamentals. And when you get the job, you’re already ahead of the game. It’s not the most important thing, but I think it is a great supplement.
VT: What’s the most valuable career advice that you’ve given or received?
JP: Really early on at Holt Renfrew I had a mentor who said relationships are the most important thing in your professional life. Relationships in terms of having to work for somebody else, collaborating and asking, “What value do you bring to the table?”
VT: What is your most memorable experience working in fashion?
JP: There are so many memorable experiences that would make your jaw drop. I remember going to meet with the designers of Proenza Schouler. I was buying for Holt Renfrew at the time. They just seemed like these two really nice, lovely Canadian guys, but were so bold in their vision. I remember looking at coats for 4000 dollars, when these guys didn’t have a reputation at all in the industry at this point. But they believed so much in who their customer was, their skills, quality and craftsmanship. I just thought it was really ballsy and I was impressed.
VT: How do you envision the future of Retail Assembly?
JP: We initially picked a name that was bigger than what it was going to be. “Retail” is there so it reflects the industry and we really liked the idea of an assembly, of getting people around the table for a common purpose. Right now we have multiple contributors, so for every course there are five to 15 people touching it.
We hope that it becomes a showcase for innovation and new ideas. We want people contributing whatever it is they’re doing from an innovation and strategic standpoint. We want to spark ideas. We don’t want to just teach content, we want it to be a source of inspiration and improvement for the industry as well.