Retail innovation program
In recognising the importance of the retail sector and the challenges facing the industry, the City is committed to building the capacity and resilience of local businesses.
Re-imagine retail business models
In recognising the importance of the retail sector and the challenges facing the industry, we are committed to building the capacity and resilience of local businesses.
In 2019, we launched the pilot retail innovation program.
We funded 15 local retailers to participate in an intensive 9-week accelerator program. It involved mentoring, workshops, coaching and tools for planning, market analysis, solution design and idea validation, financial modelling, scale strategy, and growth marketing.
Participants shared their learning journey through digital and social channels, providing insights into how their business has approached innovation and benefited from the program.
The retail innovation program provides an opportunity of a lifetime for retail businesses to learn, free of charge, from innovation and entrepreneurial leaders and experts. It challenges the way owners look at their business and explores opportunities to embrace some of the latest trends.
Retailers who meet the below criteria are eligible to participate in the program:
- running a small or mid-sized business on a high street in the City of Sydney local area
- in the fashion, furniture, homewares, services, music or food and drink sectors
- operating day and/or night
- online retail exploring pop-up opportunities or brick and mortar locations in the City of Sydney local area
- focused on the future of your industry and excited about the opportunities ahead
- searching for new tools, information and technology to grow your business
- deeply passionate about what you do even on the bad days
- bringing consciousness around sustainability practices into your business.
Applications closed on 24 November 2019 for the 2019/20 program. We will update this page for the next intake in 2020/21 when applications open.