BOOK A SESSION WITH A RETAIL MAKEOVER MISSION MENTOR!

Get expert guidance tailored to your business in a focused 20-minute 1-to-1 session with our Retail Makeover Mentors at Autumn Fair. Completely free, practical, and designed to tackle your specific challenges, our mentoring sessions will give you the insights and actionable steps you need to grow your store. One session per person.

 

Note: You’ll need to register for your free ticket before booking your mentoring session.

 

REGISTER TO VISIT

MEET YOUR MENTORS

DERYANE TADD

 

 

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF THE DRESSING ROOM

With over 30 years in fashion retail, Deryane has built The Dressing Room into an award-winning multi-channel business, blending a thriving store with a strong online presence. She mentors on:

  • Independent retail strategy & competing in tough markets
  • Brand-building & developing your USP
  • Product buying & creating commercially successful collections
  • Customer experience in-store & online
  • Leadership & team building for small businesses
 

JOHN ABBATE

 

 

RETAIL DESIGN AND VISUAL MERCHANDISING EXPERT

With international experience in meanwhile space projects, retail consulting, customer experience, visual merchandising (VM) and store design, John is passionate about revitalising the UK’s high streets. He mentors on:

 

  • Shopfront design & curb appeal
  • Window displays that attract and convert
  • Interior visual merchandising to enhance the customer journey
  • Store layout and design that drive sales
 

DAVID WHITELEY

 

 

COO, HELLOTHRIVER.COM

With a background in strategic consulting and venture development across technology, finance, and infrastructure, David has spent the past eight years supporting high street businesses. He mentors on:

 

  • Business strategy and growth planning
  • Venture development for retail and high street projects
  • Leveraging technology to strengthen retail operations
  • Building sustainable, future-focused business models
 

CLAIRE BEVAN

 

 

HEAD OF RETAIL AND CUSTOMER CONTACT AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

A specialist in immersive, experience-led retail, Claire brings expertise in destination retail, storytelling, and customer experience. She mentors on:

 

  • Designing memorable, immersive retail environments
  • Using storytelling to engage customers and drive loyalty
  • Museum and destination merchandising techniques
  • Data led decision
  • Creating experiences that boost footfall and sales
 

SAMANTHA GIBBS

 

 

FOUNDER OF NEST

An experienced bricks-and-mortar retailer, Samantha has successfully run lifestyle stores across multiple locations, offering grounded, practical solutions to the challenges independent shop owners face daily. She mentors on:

 

  • Merchandising strategies that drive sales
  • Stock management for profitability and efficiency
  • Creating engaging in-store customer experiences
  • Practical tips for running and scaling lifestyle retail businesses
 

SHARON GOOD

 

 

PR SPECIALIST & OWNER, GOOD RESULTS PR

A communications strategist with extensive PR, advertising, and media expertise, Sharon has built standout campaigns for brands in fashion, travel, and beyond. She mentors on:

 

  • PR strategies that generate media coverage and engagement
  • Storytelling that connects with target audiences
  • Creative campaign development for maximum impact
  • Navigating media relations to strengthen brand presence
 

ALEX SCHLAGMAN

 

 

FOUNDER, SAVETHEHIGHSTREET.ORG

A serial entrepreneur dedicated to changing high streets for the better, Alex co-founded SaveTheHighStreet.org and previously built the first Click & Collect marketplace for independent retailers. He mentors on:

 

  • High street transformation strategies
  • Building community-driven retail initiatives
  • Connecting online and offline retail
  • Growing independent retail businesses
 

WHAT TO BRING

To make the most of your 20-minute mentoring session, bring along any relevant materials from your store, such as photos, your store layout or floor plan, and a list of questions or challenges you’d like to discuss. This will help our experts give you practical, tailored advice you can act on straight away.

 

Don't forget - register for your free ticket before you can book your session.

*For John Abbate's Customer Experience session please bring the following:

  • Shop images – from outside to inside: across the street, window display, entrance view, and full store tour (to show customer journey).
  • Brand deck – PPT/Canva outlining:
  • Brand identity & elevator pitch
  • Customers & demographics
  • Competitors & aspirational brands
  • Mood board (keywords, colours/materials, images)
  • Customer lifestyle collage (where they shop, live, and spend leisure time)
  • Discussion points – list of issues to address plus any existing ideas or solutions.

BE PART OF AUTUMN FAIR

Free ticket registration is required before booking.

REGISTER TO VISIT 

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