Renowned retail consultant speaking in Stayner

Albert C. Plant, a seasoned retail and management consultant, will be the guest speaker at the Clearview Township economic development committee’s (EDC) next Business Exchange session on Wed., May 20.

“He’s a friend of mine and so I asked if he’d come and talk to us,” EDC chair Doug Mills said.

Mills noted that at past Business Exchange sessions – a chance for merchants to come together and network after hours – people expressed an interest in having a speaker of Plant’s caliber.

The Toronto resident, who since 1995 has served as a retail consultant for RBC Royal Bank, will give a speech addressing the “Do’s and Don’ts of Successful Retailing in the Current Economic Climate.”

Plant has a total of 35 years retail experience and in 2007 wrote The Retail Game: Playing to Win, a 320-page book published by Douglas and McIntyre.

Larry Rosen, the chair and chief executive officer of Harry Rosen Inc., called the book, “A valuable resource, packed with useful information.”

Mills said the EDC is hoping for a strong turnout at the upcoming event. He said committee members will be hand-delivering leaflets with information about it to area businesses in the coming days.

He said the presentation should be interesting, especially given its timely subject matter.

“Fundamentally what we’re doing is education. Hopefully everyone that comes away from it will have learned one useful thing,” Mills said.

Catharine Frith of the Greater Collingwood Small Business Enterprise Centre will give a brief presentation before Plant’s speech, Mills noted.

Her remarks will outline programs the centre offers to help local businesses improve efficiency and their overall success. The Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services operate the centre.

There is no cost to attend the EDC event and organizers say registration is not required.

They note there will be complimentary light refreshments and a cash bar.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Stayner Community Centre on Regina Street.

For more information, call Julie Ellis, Clearview’s communications coordinator, at 428-6230, ext. 264 or e-mail [email protected].