What's on - Have you got the Retail Factor?

05 Jan 2012 - 12 Feb 2012

The Mall Luton has launched its fifth Retail Factor competition in partnership with the Luton on Sunday and is encouraging small retail start up businesses in Luton and beyond to enter, for the opportunity to take their business ideas to the next level.

As the winner of ITV's X-Factor competition celebrates pop-stardom, The Mall Luton has launched its retail equivalent.

Would-be tycoons who aspire to follow in the steps of those such as Sir Phillip Green of Arcadia Group success, or Dame Anita Roddick of The Body Shop fame, can enjoy prizes including rent free space to trade in a busy shopping centre and business mentoring. The winner will receive £500 to buy some stock plus £4,500 in free space.

Start-up businesses keen to trial new products in The Mall Luton should submit an application form online by clicking here or visit the 'Ask Me Point' (located outside M&S) in The Mall by 12 February 2012. Entries will be judged on innovation, commercial viability and relevance of the product to the local marketplace. Businesses that make their region's shortlist will be given free use of a retail merchandising unit for two weeks.

A panel of judges will then identify the trader or business with the most commercial potential, who will be awarded two months' rent free space to trade and the opportunity to market their business to millions of shoppers every week.

After this two-month period, key business figures from The Mall including the Managing Director will identify an overall winner across its nine shopping centres. The trader will be provided with the opportunity to take a place at a prestigious week-long retail business course in Oxford at the BIRA.

Click the links for more details on the competition and inspiration from our previous winners.

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