A shopping centre social enterprise which provides a launchpad for entrepreneurs is toasting record sales figures as well as an award win.
Gateshead College and Metrocentre owner intu joined forces in 2014 to launch the handPICKED shop, where students and retail entrepreneurs can sell their products to the public.
Now the firm has chalked up a 14% rise in sales, as well as being chosen as Independent Retailer of the Year 2019 at this year’s intu Retailer Awards.
Since its launch five years ago, the shop has offered more than 200 students and retail entrepreneurs an outlet to sell their products, which include homeware, handmade jewellery and vintage prints to locally produced cards and scented candles.
The shop gives students an opportunity to produce and sell their own products and test their business ideas in a real retail environment, while students gain a broad range of skills in areas such as IT, digital marketing, point of sale, market research, sales and customer service.
Dawn Kentish, store manager at handPICKED, said: “What people really love about handPICKED is that we are a small independent store supporting other local small businesses.
“Our customers can come in store and find lots of fun and interesting gifts and other products from around the North East.
“We are also so proud to have won an award, it’s a fantastic achievement for all of our staff, traders and the Gateshead College students that we work with.
“We are a Gateshead College social enterprise too, so we offer lots of opportunities for students to gain retail and customer service experience and we nurture budding student entrepreneurs by enabling them to test and market their products in our store.”
Gavin Prior, regional centre director at intu Metrocentre, added: “It’s fantastic to see an independent retailer thriving – especially here in the region.
“On behalf of intu Metrocentre, I would like to congratulate handPICKED on a successful year and taking home the Independent Retailer of the Year accolade in this year’s Retailer Awards.”
