This paper details work undertaken to identify and assess the skills needs of small, especially food‐related, independent retailers in the United Kingdom. The paper, part of a European Social Fund (ESF) assisted project: “Towards a healthy high street (II)”, considers the specific skills areas deemed to be lacking at present in the sector. From this, higher‐level learning materials will be developed which relate to the skills areas identified. The prime source of evidence for skills needs identification draws upon research undertaken as part of two previous ESF projects. The key aim of this paper is to combine and articulate the findings from this earlier ESF research with material published by practitioners, academics and government pertaining to the provision of training in this vital sector of the economy. Three key areas upon which to focus training in the sector are explored: “Building and sustaining competitive advantage”, “E‐commerce” and “Retail operations”.

The independent retail sector is a sector defined as “at risk” at both the European and national (UK) level. A number of recent initiatives, from benefactors such as the European Social Fund (ESF) and the University for Industry (UfI) have identified training and development of this sector as a priority objective in terms of improving economic prosperity, competitiveness and employability. Seeks to review the training needs and the types of training and development currently available to this sector in terms of materials and learning delivery systems. The purpose of this review is to audit current provision and disseminate the findings for the benefit of educational institutions and training providers who are currently involved, or wish to be involved, in sustaining the independent retail sector through training and development.

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