Harvey Nichols launches BRIC programme
Edinburgh staff training aims to enhance customer service for BRIC and Arab visitors

May 2, 2012.

By Carey Whitwam.

Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh is launching a cultural awareness training programme, to enhance its customer service. 

The eight-week programme is intended to make the store's increasing volume of Arab visitors feel more at home, as well as those from BRIC countries such as Russia and China.

Staff will take part in sessions concentrating on increasing inward travel from the emerging global economies.

"At Harvey Nichols we are very proud to trade from the Scottish capital and are keen to captivate our foreign visitors and give them the best experience possible," says Gordon Drummond, director, Harvey Nichols.

“We pride ourselves on outstanding customer service. The training sessions, which many of our front of house staff will benefit from, are just one of the many ways in which we will continue to make our shopping experience first class,” he adds.

The Harvey Nichols course is running in partnership with Stevenson College Edinburgh and being led by Sarah Donno, a senior specialist English lecturer.

It has been specially designed for those in the retail and hospitality industry, who will get the chance to learn basic phrases as well as gaining insight into humour and acceptable body language.

Sessions will be held at Harvey Nichols’ training centre in Edinburgh. They will include visits from Chinese, Russian and Arabic specialists.