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Waitrose renews sponsorship of Loughborough
Posted on 25/08/2007
Loughborough Newsdesk
Premier food retailer Waitrose has renewed its sponsorship of Loughborough University Business Schools BSc (Hons) Retail Management degree, showing its continued support for the acclaimed programme.
The degree was the first of its kind to be launched back in 1991, in a collaborative effort between the Business School and a consortium of retailers in response to growing demand from major retail organisations for graduates in retailing.. The renewed support from Waitrose means Loughboroughs programme is the only retail degree in the UK to have maintained continuous company sponsorship since its inception. The course mainly focuses on preparing students for a career either in store management or as a manager in one of the specialist head office retailing functions such as buying, marketing, merchandising, personnel, or logistics.
"We are delighted that Waitrose is sponsoring the retail degree, says Programme Director Cathy Hart. "Waitrose delivers an exceptionally high standard of training and development for graduates, which provides an excellent fit with the profile of our retail degree. This results in a win-win outcome for both sides, and we look forward to developing the partnership further with Waitrose during the next 12 months.
Although the programme has previously been sponsored by several leading UK retailers such as Sainsbury, C&A, Barclays and Wickes, Waitrose has been continuous in its support of the programme for the last 7 years. In addition to providing student placement and graduate positions, the support includes guest lectures, talks and workshops by Waitrose managers, and student projects and fieldtrips to head office, stores and distribution centres.
Susie Barker, Graduate Recruitment Manager at Waitrose, comments: "As a major and progressive food retailer, our graduate recruitment strategy needs to provide our business with exemplary leaders who can shape our commercial future and enrich our people-focused culture. Graduates from Loughborough University Business School will be well prepared for such a career, and as such can assist us in moulding and developing our branches beyond their already successful base. We are delighted to be sponsoring the Retail Management degree and look forward to bettering the prosperous relationship that currently exists with Loughborough.
As well as outstanding teaching, Programme Director Cathy Hart and colleagues in the Marketing and Retailing Research Group conduct ground-breaking research into the retail industry. A recent study entitled Buying into Retail " which was commissioned by Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for retail " surprised many with its findings concerning the retail industry in the East Midlands.
"Contrary to previous opinion, the research showed that people working within retail are generally very positive about their jobs, says Cathy. "It also confirmed that the retail industry has a shortage of and a great need for higher skilled managers. Working closely with retail partners is the best way for universities to prepare high calibre graduates for successful and challenging careers in the retail sector.