Shopping centre agent goes ‘back to the floor’

The managing agents at The Fort Shopping Park in Birmingham experienced a different side of work within the retail sector after spending a day on the shop floor.
 
The day was part of an initiative by real estate adviser, DTZ,  part of UGL Services, a division of UGL Limited (ASX: UGL), The Fort’s property management company to further build connections between the centre management and its tenants.
 
Paul Delany, Associate Director at DTZ spent the day in HMV gaining an understanding of front of house operations, stock management and visual merchandising.
 
Paul Delany commented: “We are always keen to broaden our understanding of on-the-ground retailing and our work appreciation scheme gives us this opportunity.
 
“It’s a complex operation to ensure that a retail store such as HMV is fully stocked and able to give an immediate response to meet the needs of its customers. For this, you need excellent staff on the shop floor and I was extremely impressed with the HMV staff – not only with their depth of knowledge, but with their commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.
 
He continued: “It is reassuring to know that we have such attentive, dedicated and customer-focused staff working at The Fort and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their hard work.”
 
Robert Wood of HMW’s Estates Department added: “It is very encouraging that DTZ wants to understand its clients’ business and gain a greater appreciation of the challenges currently being faced by retailers.”