Indiantelevision.com Team

(16 May 2007 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Footwear brand Aadidas has launched the Adidas Retail University (aRU).

This is a multi-tier training programme aimed at developing a generation of excellent retail professionals in India.

Retail expansion is of strategic importance for the continued rapid growth and consumer acceptance of the Adidas brand in India. As more and more international brands are entering the Indian market, Indian consumers have rising expectations when it comes to the shopping experience that brands provide.

Adidas has recognized this trend by providing retail training to franchisees and store staff in the past. With the aRU, adidas aims to take its retail efforts to the highest level of professionalism and excellence.

Several hundred staff at various locations in India will follow a structured training process covering topics such as customer service, selling skills, visual merchandising and shop management. The objective is simply to set the industry standard in customer service at retail. Adidas regularly benchmarks its ability to deliver a first class shopping experience through independent research.

Confident and service minded store staff is also critical to managing store profitability, an area of continuous focus for Adidas India and its franchisees.

Speaking on the launch of aRU, Adidas India MD Andreas Gellner says, “Our ability to delight the thousands of consumers that visit Adidas exclusive stores daily across India is becoming one the biggest differentiator for the Adidas brand. We have always been known for superior product quality and innovation – now we want our stores to be known for consistently providing the best shopping experience. I have no doubt that delighted customers are the key to Adidas’ short and long-term success and to continuous improvements in store profitability. With the adidas Retail University, the brand is further demonstrating its ability and intention to lead the sporting and casual goods industry in India.”