Reality bites

An experimental retail initiative has exposed some tough truths.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has partnered with the Yarra City Council to capture the realities of running a retail business in today’s competitive market.

The duo have joined forces to launch a four-episode documentary that promotes the power of support and education services for small businesses.

The series known as ‘Re-Tales’ follows the stories of four small retail business owners who undertook the Yarra Great Re-Tales Program delivered by the ARA Retail Institute between July and October 2013.

The educational program was the first of its kind and was delivered as a four month initiative of workshops designed to support and educate local retailers.

ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said he believes that educating retailers on the real pitfalls of doing business in Australia could stem the flow of folding businesses of late.

“While the retail industry may slowly be on the road to recovery, we know that 44 small businesses close their doors daily in Australia. Education, training and skills development are of the utmost importance and can often be the difference between success and failure for small retailers.

“The Re-Tales series hopes to capture the personal growth stories of participants and the realities of running a retail business in today’s competitive market. The entire process was documented on film with the aim to identify a dire need for further education investment in the retail sector,” he said.

“It’s a collaborative community approach to learning great skills about business.”

The Re-Tales series hopes to capture the personal growth stories of participants and the realities of running a retail business in today’s competitive market.

The entire process was documented on film with the aim to identify a dire need for further education investment in the retail sector.

View the teaser here