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Retailworld turned 20! We think that’s a pretty awesome achievement, so over the month of March, we’re going to share our journey with you. We’ll have some laughs (probably at hideous old photos) and share the highlights and challenges we faced building the successful business Retailworld is today. Trish and John want to celebrate the amazing people that made our journey possible (and fun)! If you’re reading this and you’re one of “our people” thank you and enjoy the memories!
To kick things off let’s go back to where it all began. In 2001 Trish McLean alongside her NZ founding business partner Mandy saw an opportunity to launch a dedicated retail recruitment agency in New Zealand. Retailworld Resourcing was born. John Caldwell joined Retailworld as a director in 2003 and launched the Australian business in 2004, more on that story soon...
Year 1 was tough, not just because Retailworld was a start-up business and they had to pitch and sell their services but Trish was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer 2 days before the business opening party. It was a bumpy year with Trish’s chemotherapy treatment alongside the challenges of any new business - building start-up client relationships, launching a new brand and tightly managing cashflow.
Heading into year 2 they had 2 retail recruitment consultants Jeanette Rendle (who is back in the business today as a franchisee) and Jodi. Year 1 behind them the future looked bright! Trish and Mandy’s original vision is still embodied today - to be a one stop shop for all retail staff from store managers to CEO, promoting careers in retail.
From humble beginnings in the first office in Auckland, New Zealand the business (RWR Group) today has an amazing team, 3 brands, Retailworld, Hospoworld, RWR Health, 17 offices across Australasia with client and candidate connections we are proud of.
#ourpeople #businesssuccess #20yearsinbusiness #recruitment #retailjobs #hospitalityjobs #healthjobs #retailworldresourcing
One of the biggest opportunities that came out of the GFC was pivoting the business in 2010 from corporate-owned and operated to a franchise model.
Part 2 of our 20th birthday celebration