MELBOURNE: The Australian Centre for Retail Studies (ACRS) at Monash University is calling for expressions of interest in its 2009 Overseas Retail Study Tour.
Set to take place from mid to late 2009 over around two and half weeks, the tour is intended to expose participants to a range of best-practice international retailers. It will explore retailers in a range of countries including the US (New York), Spain (Madrid), the UK (London), the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and China (Hong Kong).
ACRS research analyst and tour co-ordinator Alana Jones said the tour was aimed at graduate to senior level executives whose organisations were associated with the retail sector, such as property managers, media agencies and consultancies.
"Participants will experience first hand knowledge exposure to successful business operations and strategies; including store formats, merchandise, customer service and marketing communication. They will also gain the opportunity to engage with fellow participants and company contacts and to raise their own business profile through networking."
Fashion retailers confirmed as part of the tour included Spanish giant Zara, while ACRS was also in discussions with UK department store Harvey Nichols, UK fashion emporium Top Shop, discount department store Primark and US lifestyle and fashion retailer Anthropologie.
ACRS executive director Jeff Rogut said Zara would be a highlight of the tour.
"Only through our ACRS contacts will participants be able to see how this leading retailer develops and takes products to market."
"[The tour] is an opportunity to see behind the scenes of major international retailers and gain insights into their successes and challenges, through personalised briefings and meetings," he added.
"It's also a chance to see emerging trends in other retail concepts which may provide insights that can be translated into beneficial actions back home."
The key theme of this year's tour would be business survival and growth in tough times, he said.
"What are the lessons to be learned in countries that have experienced a tougher retail climate than ours, as well as what new concepts will we see that will allow participants to stay ahead within this competitive industry."
Places on the 2009 ACRS Retail Study Tour are limited.