Skills Bootcamp in Retail
Helping brands learn the skills to grow sales through strategic B2B retail partnerships and wholesale channels. If you sell your product to retailers and are looking to grow your share of the market, this is for you.
Get Retail-Ready & Win Buyers
The Retail-Ready Skills Bootcamp is a practical, 13-week programme designed to help product-based brands grow their sales through wholesale and B2B retail partnerships.
Led by Ami Rabheru (founder of The Retail Huddle, former retail buyer with 20+ years’ experience, this Skills Bootcamp is ideal for ambitious Berkshire-based businesses ready to win buyers, secure listings, and scale their retail growth. This is not just another passive course; it’s a hands-on, practical journey where you’ll build your B2B retail strategy step by step, guided by retail experts.
Over 13 weeks, you will work through the full brand-to-retailer success cycle:
Clarify → Prepare → Pitch → Sell → Partner → Grow, applying each stage directly to your business.
You’ll leave with:
· A clear retail proposition and point of difference
· Professional sales tools and outreach strategies
· The skills to pitch buyers and secure listings
· Retail partnerships that drive sales and growth
· A 12-month retail sales growth roadmap
No theory. No fluff. Just practical implementation, expert feedback, and results!
Fully-Funded
Partially funded opportunities for PAYE.
Commitment and Support
Structured online learning and tutor support throughout for a successful 2026.
Certificate of Completion
Level 3 equivalent certificate in retail and merchandising upon completing the Skills Bootcamp.
Grow your share of the retail market
What this Skills Bootcamp covers:
B2B Readiness & Brand Audit
Understand what makes you retail-ready and the buyer’s motivations.
Retailer Targeting
Define your ideal retailer profile and sharpen your proposition.
Your Unique Value
Identify your point of difference and why buyers should choose you.
Retail-Ready Range & Pricing
Build a compelling assortment and trade terms.
Sales Tools & Collateral
Create professional sell-in decks, line sheets, and materials.
Channel Strategy
Choose the right approach: independents, majors, trade shows, or agents.
Pitch Like a Pro
Structure and deliver compelling B2B conversations, handle objections.
Contacting Buyers
Master email, LinkedIn, and phone outreach with scripts and follow-ups.
Converting Retailers
Roleplay sales meetings, refine follow-up processes, and close deals.
Onboarding & Activation
Support retailers in launching your brand with POS, training, and assets.
Sell-Through Support
Use promotions, sampling, and content to drive retail velocity.
Account Growth
Strengthen relationships, growth strategies, and understand retail performance metrics.
Financials & Margins
Review wholesale profitability, costs, and terms.
Metrics & Dashboards
Track sales KPIs and build a simple CRM or pipeline tracker.
Present Your Growth Plan
Share a 6–12 month B2B roadmap with peer and mentor feedback.
By signing up for our Skills Bootcamp in Retail, you’re not just investing in your professional growth; you’re also joining a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who are committed to achieving their business goals. You’ll have the opportunity to network, collaborate, and learn from your peers, which can be invaluable in your journey to retail mastery.
Ami Rabheru
Lead Trainer
Ami Rabheru, former Retail Buyer and founder of Retail Huddle. With over 20 years in retail, buying for high street retails M&S, Next and Tesco; she now specialises in helping founder-led brands turn their creativity and passion into retail success. Ami is a regular speaker at industry tradeshows such as Top Drawer and Autumn Fair and a regular on consumer programs on Chanel 4, C5 and Netflix.
Ongoing Support
Boost Business Growth
Tailored To Your Needs
Enhance Your Earnings
Our Skills Bootcamp equips you with certified retail and merchandising techniques to help increase revenue and profitability.
Course Dates:
Tuesdays: 09:15-13:15 |
Venue |
| 6 January | In person- The Village Hotel, Bracknell, RG12 0QJ |
| 13 January | Online |
| 20 January | Online |
| 27 January | Online |
| 3 February | Online |
| 10 February | Online |
| 17 February | Online |
| 24 February | Online |
| 3 March | Online |
| 10 March | Online |
| 17 March | Online |
| 24 March | Online |
| 31 March | In person – The Village Hotel, Bracknell, RG12 0QJ |
Skills Bootcamps are subject to funding from the Department of Education, and eligibility criteria apply.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Skills Bootcamp and helping you achieve your retail goals. Let’s conquer the world of retail together!
Am I eligible?
For this Skills Bootcamp, you are required to be self employed or under PAYE. No previous knowledge is required.
You must be over the age of 19 to be eligible.
What equipment will I need?
You'll need a laptop/desktop with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet.
What happens after?
Upon successful completion of the Skills Bootcamp, you will receive a certificate plus further support from the Berkshire Growth Hub team.
Do I pay?
If you are self employed you do not need to pay.
If you wish to upskill your own teams, as a business you will contribute a portion of funding (10% for SMEs, 30% for large employers), while the Department for Education covers the rest.
What is a Skills Bootcamp?
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.
Our Skills Bootcamp is a comprehensive, funded program that provides you with the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your retail skills to the next level. We believe that everyone has the potential to become a retail superstar, and our goal is to help you unlock that potential.
