SVP shop workers creating display click to enlarge   click to enlarge   Julie started the session with a series of slides showing different window displays from city centre stores including Marks and Spencer, and guided us through the basic window dressing and merchandising principles.   Next she showed us a few tricks of the trade to get the effects we want with the clothes in our windows – lets just say we won’t be throwing out any more bubble wrap – and explained how to create a pleasing and effective display.   Then it was our turn as we were let loose on the shop floor to pick out items, then back to the training room to create our own displays using the tips Julie had shown us.   The morning finished with a quiz and prizes were won by:- Hazel O’Bank from Downpatrick Eileen McShane from Kilrea Sharon Fennel from the Antrim Rd. click to enlarge

Staff from several of our 30 clothing shops attended a retail training session delivered by the Marks & Spencer Training Academy in Belfast on 16th June 2006.   Twenty three SVP staff and volunteers from throughout Northern Ireland were kindly given a one off 3hr training session on window dressing and merchandising by Julie Beattie, the M&S Visual Manager.   The award winning M&S Academy provides in house training for its own staff through fashion education sessions. These are aimed at introducing their staff to all of the practical skills needed for the challenging and fast paced world of fashion retail.         The Society now has a string of 30 'Vincents' retail shops throughout Northern Ireland where we offer quality nearly new clothing to the public at vastly reduced prices.   After overheads, all savings are ploughed directly into the SVP to help people in need in other ways.   Click 'HERE' for more....     It was a very interesting and entertaining morning and everyone came away with a new enthusiasm. Thanks must go to Julie Beattie and her team for providing us with such an in depth and informative training session.   Morag Chambers SVP Shops Co-ordinator