Northumberland business owner launches new training service for independent retailers

An Alnwick business owner has launched a new venture for teaching skills to independent retailers he has named Impact Retail Training.

Mark Turnbull is the fifth-generation family member of Turnbull’s of Alnwick and is currently the managing director of the new Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food Hall, also based in the Northumberland market town.

Inspired while attending a retail summit in the United States a number of years ago, Mark explained that he had the realisation he could put his 35 years of retail experience to use in further developing the skills of independent retailers.

Mark noted: “I believe passionately that there is still a bright future in brick-and-mortar independent retail for those prepared to do the things necessary to drive their businesses forward in this omni-experiential period.

“Pre-Covid retail was challenging, but now, post-pandemic, the challenge is even greater. There will be many retailers who won’t last the journey, with many failing and even more just giving up. It’s hard work.”

Mark will be working with independent retailers, guiding them on a journey of ever-increasing difficulty, as they take on the big box stores and online giants

Mark is also lining up a number of talks with business groups around the North East and the rest of the UK, sharing his ideas, strategies and passion from a long-established career in retail.

Mark concluded: “I love spending time on the shop floor with customers. It’s the thing I enjoy most in retail and I’ll still be around in our family food hall. I’m not allowing our team to take me completely off our schedule. I love our customers too much for that.”

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