Growth Academy Berkshire
Helping brands learn the skills to grow sales through strategic B2B retail partnerships and wholesale channels. If you sell your product to retailers and are looking to grow your share of the market, this is for you.
Get Retail-Ready & Win Buyers
Retail-Ready Skills Bootcamp is a 15-week programme starting on 18th November 2025, designed to help product-based founders master the skills to grow sales through wholesale and B2B retail partnerships. Learn how to win retail buyers, secure listings, and confidently scale your brand into retail. Led by Ami Rabheru, founder of The Retail Huddle and former retail buyer, this hands-on course gives you the insider knowledge, structure, and strategy to accelerate your retail success
This is not just another passive course; it’s a hands-on, practical journey where you’ll build your B2B retail strategy step by step, guided by retail experts.
Over 15 weeks, you’ll work through the full brand-to-retailer success cycle:
Clarify → Prepare → Pitch → Sell → Partner → Grow, applying each stage directly to your business.
You’ll leave with:
· A clear retail proposition and point of difference
· Professional sales tools and outreach strategies
· The skills to pitch buyers and secure listings
· Retail partnerships that drive sales and growth
· A 12-month retail sales growth roadmap
No theory. No fluff. Just practical implementation, expert feedback, and results..
FREE for self employed and job seekers
Partially funded opportunities for PAYE. Must have proof of self employment.
Level 3 Qualification
Level 3 certificate of completion.
Complete for 2026
Structured online learning and tutor support throughout for a successful 2026.
Enhance your Earnings
Our Skills Bootcamp will help your product-based brand grow sales through wholesale and B2B retail partnerships
Boost Business Growth
Learn strategies to win buyers, secure listings, and scale your retail growth.
Tailored to needs
Dedicate 4 hours a week for 15 weeks online focused on selling your products to retailers and grow your share of the market.
Ongoing Support
We support you after the Skills Bootcamp is completed, helping you grow your transferable skills into real-world scenarios.
Grow your share of the retail market
What this Skills Bootcamp covers:
B2B Readiness & Brand Audit
Understand what makes you retail-ready and the buyer’s motivations.
Retailer Targeting
Define your ideal retailer profile and sharpen your proposition.
Your Unique Value
Identify your point of difference and why buyers should choose you.
Retail-Ready Range & Pricing
Build a compelling assortment and trade terms.
Sales Tools & Collateral
Create professional sell-in decks, line sheets, and materials.
Channel Strategy
Choose the right approach: independents, majors, trade shows, or agents.
Pitch Like a Pro
Structure and deliver compelling B2B conversations, handle objections.
Contacting Buyers
Master email, LinkedIn, and phone outreach with scripts and follow-ups.
Converting Retailers
Roleplay sales meetings, refine follow-up processes, and close deals.
Onboarding & Activation
Support retailers in launching your brand with POS, training, and assets.
Sell-Through Support
Use promotions, sampling, and content to drive retail velocity.
Account Growth
Strengthen relationships, growth strategies, and understand retail performance metrics.
Financials & Margins
Review wholesale profitability, costs, and terms.
Metrics & Dashboards
Track sales KPIs and build a simple CRM or pipeline tracker.
Present Your Growth Plan
Share a 6–12 month B2B roadmap with peer and mentor feedback.
Ami Rabheru
Lead Trainer
Ami Rabheru, former Retail Buyer and founder of Retail Huddle. With over 20 years in retail, buying for high street retails M&S, Next and Tesco; she now specialises in helping founder-led brands turn their creativity and passion into retail success. Ami is a regular speaker at industry tradeshows such as Top Drawer and Autumn Fair and a regular on consumer programs on Channel 4, C5 and Netflix.
Learning
Networking
Collaborating
Course Dates
Tuesdays 09:15 – 13:15 |
Venue |
| 6th January 2026 | Online |
| 13th January | Online |
| 20th January | Online |
| 27th January | Online |
| 3rd February | Online |
| 10th February | Online |
| 17th February | Online |
| 24th February | Online |
| 3rd March | Online |
| 10th March | Online |
| 17th March | Online |
| 24th March | Online |
| 31st March | In Person- The Village Hotel, Bracknell, RG12 0QJ |
| Catch up/ revision sessions included | Online |
| Individual 1:1 with the tutor | Online |
| Skills Bootcamps are subject to funding from The Department of Education and eligibility criteria does apply. | |
Am I eligible?
For this Skills Bootcamp, you are required to be self employed or under PAYE. No previous knowledge is required.
You must be over the age of 19 to be eligible.
What equipment do I need?
You'll need a laptop/desktop with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet.
What happens after?
Upon successful completion of the Skills Bootcamp, you will receive a certificate plus further support from the Berkshire Growth Hub team.
Am I free or do I pay?
If you are self employed you do not need to pay.
If you wish to upskill your own teams, as a business you will contribute a portion of funding (10% for SMEs, 30% for large employers), while the Department for Education covers the rest.
What is a Skills Bootcamp?
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.
Our Skills Bootcamp is a comprehensive, funded program that provides you with the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your retail skills to the next level. We believe that everyone has the potential to become a retail superstar, and our goal is to help you unlock that potential.
