Dunelm returns to its roots at Leicester Market as students and graduates demonstrate their future leadership skills. On 1st February 18 aspiring future business leaders from across the UK will take part in an ‘Apprentice-style’ challenge at Leicester Market, as part of Dunelm’s Graduate Leadership Assessment Centre.
The candidates will start their day at 4.30am and will be given a set budget to spend with Total Produce, based at Leicester’s Wholesale Fruit Market and The Flower Company in Freemans Common. The candidates will then make their way over to Leicester Market and will commence trading at 7.30am on 4 market stalls.
All proceeds raised on the day will go to Dunelm’s Leicester-based charity partner, Home-Start UK, who provide support, guidance and practical help to over 30,000 families struggling with complex issues across the UK.
Multi-million-pound homeware retailer Dunelm first begun trading at Leicester Market back in 1979 when it’s founder Bill Adderley began selling ready-made curtains on a stall. The first Dunelm shop was opened in Leicester in 1984 and over the following years the business developed into a successful chain of high street shops before expanding into broader homewares categories following the opening of the first Dunelm superstore in 1991. There are currently over 160 Dunelm stores nationwide, coordinated from their headquarters in Syston, Leicestershire.
Dunelm’s Graduate Leadership Programme offers final year university students and graduates the chance to learn and develop their skills with the national retailer, as well as be coached and supported to become future business leaders. The two-day assessment centre culminating in the Leicester market challenge is designed to test their commerciality, work ethic and leadership traits.
Baz Patel Resourcing Manager at Dunelm said:
“We’ve been running our Leadership Programme for the past 2 years and we’ve been really pleased by the standard of Graduates we recruit, many of whom have gone on to have very successful careers at Dunelm. This year we had over 750 applicants and each of the 18 candidates we’ve selected has been through a rigorous telephone interview, a and a series of psychometric tests and Store Insight Evening held at our Thurmaston store.
“We want all our future leaders to have an appreciation for our customers and really understand the foundations of retail, which is why coming back to where the business began works so well. A strong trading mentality and an appreciation for hard work will be essential if they are to make an impact in a fast-paced retail environment.”
Leicester Market Development Officer Adam Piotrowski added: “It’s fitting that Dunelm is going back to its roots on Leicester Market for this challenge, and we look forward to welcoming the next generation of business leaders to the market.
“As well as giving them a great opportunity to refine their business skills, I hope these young people will enjoy the chance to find out more about our market and how trading works here. It’s a great place for anyone to start out in business.”
The candidates will find out if they have been successful on Monday 6th February. For further information about the Dunelm Graduate Leadership Programme visit: www.dunelmcareers.com.
