Blackjack Promotions, the travel retail staffing specialist operating at Dublin Airport and department stores across the city, has partnered once again with Penny Blake Associates (PBA).

According to Blackjack, PBA are experts in training luxury brand retail personnel to boost its client services offering in Ireland.

PBA Founder Penny Blake is heading up a series of training sessions for Blackjack’s specialist luxury retail staff in Dublin. The teams will learn the latest tactics and best practices in engaging with high-value customers, as well as coaching and leadership modules.

Under the training programme titled ‘Succeeding in the Luxury Arena,’ Blackjack team managers will cover a range of topics that fall under five key pillars. These are The Luxury Arena, Emotional Intelligence, Moments of Truth, Creating a Wow Experience and Luxury Sales Model.

LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP

Fiona Tindall, Head of Domestic Retail at Blackjack UK & Ireland said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Penny Blake and have already benefited from her training techniques in the UK. It made sense to collaborate again as we continue to ramp up our offering in Ireland.

“Luxury brands rightly demand best-in-class brand ambassadors. With increased choice for consumers driving tougher market conditions, we want our teams to stay ahead of the game by getting the very best training and focusing on bespoke service models and the personal touch, to set them apart from the rest.”

In addition to Blackjack employees in Dublin Airport, the training programme will benefit retail staff working in Dublin City Centre’s luxury department stores. These include Brown Thomas and Arnotts.

Blake said: “Blackjack’s Dublin team is very passionate and quick to pick up the latest learnings about engaging luxury customers. Blackjack understands that its people are its best asset, which makes them stand out in the retail industry. They are also heavily committed to enhancing the customer experience, increasingly a key focus for travel and luxury retail.”

She added: “Ireland is seeing a huge rise in overseas travellers for both business and pleasure. Last year, for example, 70,000 Chinese visitors came to Ireland, up from 60,000 visitors in 2016.”