Retail specialists rpa:vision and McKenzie Clark support bright young talent on a world retail stage. - 01/03/2010

Retail specialists rpa:vision and McKenzie Clark support bright young talent on a world retail stage.

As part of a wider talent nurturing programme rpa:vision and McKenzie Clark have joined a
collaboration to create an opportunity for visual merchandising and business students to
showcase their skills to retail executives from across the world.

Young people from countries including Australia, India, Japan, the UK and US must create a
concept for a new store - outlining everything from its merchandising to its online retailing
presence. They will then present their ideas to more than 1000 delegates attending the World
Retail Congress, Berlin, on 21-23 April and the team judged to have the best concept will
receive the Retail Futures Challenge Trophy.

The challenge is the result of a joint initiative from Skillsmart Retail and the World Retail
Congress, designed to expose new retail talent to a global audience. Interiors specialists
rpa:vision and retail graphics specialists McKenzie Clark are proud to be official build partners
enabling the students to bring their retail vision to life.

In this year's challenge students from each of the cities will now be teamed up with a group of
visual merchandising students from the UK who will interpret their ideas and create a window
display based on their concepts.

They will then install their displays at the conference hall for delegates to see and the students
will be on-hand throughout the event to discuss their ideas.

Nigel Collett, CEO of rpa:vision said, "This is an incredible opportunity. Students can
experience real life scenarios in developing and delivering a retail brand. We are really proud
to be supporting the Retail Futures Challenge. We wish all the teams the very best of luck!"

MD of McKenzie Clark, Graham Clark commented, "We are delighted to return to the World
Retail Congress as a sponsor. This year's Retail Futures Challenge offers a real opportunity to
help the future stars of retail branding and visual merchandising giving them access to and
advice on the latest, innovative graphic solutions allowing them to present their competition
entries to judges and delegates in a professional and striking way."

As well as their involvement in projects like this one rpa:vision has invested in a dedicated
training division, the rpa:academy, to help individuals of all ages develop a cross section of
architectural and business skills.

Collett added, "We feel it's essential to recognise and support fresh talent to inspire and
invigorate our industry for years to come. We also provide training for retailers themselves to
keep them up to date with the latest techniques, in sustainability for example. To help us all
move forward, together as one."