ETRA wants Euro-wide training boost

ETRA says its members including the ACT have developed training programs for independent retailers and their staff but that standards are not consistent in every EU state.

While in some countries retailers continuously take refresher courses, in other countries training is virtually non-existent, says Annick Roetynck, of ETRA.

ETRA will decide shortly on possible participation in a European training project within the framework of the Commissions Leonardo da Vinci programme. Such a project would establish an benchmarking standard of the qualifications, the employment and the training means and methods in the distribution of sports and leisure goods in general, and of bicycles in particular.