Solent Retail In A Digital World Skills Bootcamp

Calling all retailers, start-ups and small business owners across the Solent area of Hampshire!

We’re excited to partner with the Solent Growth Partnership to launch our brand-new, fully funded (FREE) Retail in a Digital World Skills Bootcamp course for eligible learners.

This practical, hands-on Bootcamp is designed for people running, launching or scaling a retail business – whether you sell online, in-store, through social media, or across multiple channels. Over 10 weeks, you’ll build the digital retail skills needed to succeed in today’s fast-changing marketplace, from online selling and customer experience to social media, e-commerce operations and AI-powered tools.

You’ll learn alongside other local retailers and founders, apply your learning directly to your own business, and leave with a clear, actionable digital retail plan to support your next stage of growth.

Hurry – places are limited. Our courses start on the 15th and 27th of January 2026. Find out more below and take the next step towards future-proofing your retail business by registering your interest today.

Duration: 60 hours over 10 weeks Course Fee Information

Course Overview

In our Retail in a Digital World Skills Bootcamp, you’ll gain practical knowledge and hands-on skills to confidently run and grow a modern retail business. The programme is designed to help you understand today’s digital customer, sell products effectively online and deliver a seamless experience across multiple channels. From digital merchandising and e-commerce operations to social media for retail, customer service and emerging AI tools, the curriculum equips you with everything you need to succeed in an evolving retail landscape.

Duration:	60 hours over 10 weeks
Timings:	Delivered over 10 weeks, with sessions taking place one day per week from 9:30am to 4:00pm, including planned breaks throughout the day.
Study Modes:	Live, online delivery with experienced Retail & Marketing trainers, combining group learning, interactive exercises and activities, plus individual one-to-one support.
Qualifications and Level:	On successful completion, learners will receive a Retail in a Digital World Skills Bootcamp certificate from Fareport Training, delivered in collaboration with the Solent Growth Partnership.
Entry requirements:	To be eligible, applicants must be 19 years or over by 31 August 2025 and currently live in the Solent area of Hampshire. The programme is open to sole traders, freelancers, business owners and employees. You must have the right to work in the UK and have been resident in the UK for the past three years. Please note that learners cannot have started another Skills Bootcamp within the previous 12 months.
Cost:	Thanks to funding from the Department For Education through the Solent Growth Partnership, this Skills Bootcamp offers exceptional value for eligible learners. If you’re a sole trader, freelancer or business owner with no employees, you can access the programme completely free of charge. For businesses with 1-250 employees, employers typically contribute just 10% per learner (around £300), with the remaining 90% fully funded. Larger organisations with over 250 employees benefit from 70% of the course costs covered, requiring only a 30% employer contribution per learner. All funding is subject to eligibility checks, but places are limited - early registration is encouraged to secure your spot.
Who is this aimed at?	Are you based in the Solent area of Hampshire, aged 19 or over, and running, launching or supporting a retail business? Whether you’re self-employed, a business owner or employed, this funded Skills Bootcamp is designed to help you build the digital retail skills needed to succeed in today’s evolving retail landscape.

Course Date	Information
Thursday 15th January 2026	Ideal for retailers, founders and those in employment or self-employment who want to build practical skills for selling and operating in a digital-first retail environment. Delivered live online every Thursday from 9:30am to 4:00pm over 10 weeks, with regular breaks built into each session.
Tuesday 27th January 2026	Ideal for retailers, founders and those in employment or self-employment who want to build practical skills for selling and operating in a digital-first retail environment. Delivered live online every Tuesday from 9:30am to 4:00pm over 10 weeks, with regular breaks built into each session.

Week 1: Introduction To Retail In A Digital World Explore how digital transformation has reshaped modern retail. You’ll compare traditional and digital retail models, understand omnichannel customer experiences, map the digital customer journey and examine how consumer behaviour has evolved in today’s online-first marketplace.
Week 2: Customer Service In The Digital Age Learn how to deliver excellent customer service across digital channels including email, live chat and social media. This module covers tone of voice in online communication, handling complaints, managing reviews and using AI tools to support and enhance customer interactions.
Week 3: Legal & Governance For Digital Retail + Crisis Management & PR This week focuses on protecting your business and customers online. You’ll cover GDPR, data protection and cybersecurity basics for retail, alongside crisis management and PR. Learn how to respond to digital crises such as negative press, viral complaints or reputational issues using real-world brand examples.
Week 4: Product Knowledge, Digital Merchandising & Online Selling Develop the skills to sell products effectively online. You’ll learn how to write compelling product descriptions, understand features versus benefits, optimise online merchandising through images and layouts, and use upselling and cross-selling techniques to increase sales.
Week 5: Digital Retail Operations Go behind the scenes of online retail. This module covers the full e-commerce order journey, including checkout to delivery, stock and POS systems, click & collect processes and different delivery models such as local, next-day and flexible fulfilment options.
Week 6: Website Fundamentals For Retail Build confidence in managing retail websites. You’ll be introduced to website builders, learn how to upload products, create listings, take online payments and understand the basics of SEO specifically for retail businesses.
Week 7: Social Media For Retail Discover how to use social platforms to grow and promote your retail brand. You’ll explore Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for retail, create engaging content, learn the basics of social advertising, manage online reputation and understand key analytics such as reach and engagement.
Week 8: Retail Innovation & Trends Stay ahead of the curve by exploring key trends shaping the future of retail. Topics include adapting to changing customer expectations, sustainability and conscious consumerism, creator-led selling and building confidence in responding to emerging retail innovations.
Week 9: Skills, Mindset & Planning For Retail Success Focus on the personal and strategic skills needed to run a successful retail business. You’ll develop confidence in selling, resilience in the face of setbacks, problem-solving and time management skills, before starting work on your own digital-first retail plan with realistic goals.
Week 10: Final Project: Retail Plan & Business Presentation Bring everything together by completing and presenting your full digital retail plan. This final module allows you to showcase your learning, apply your new skills in a practical context and leave the Bootcamp with a clear roadmap for your retail business.

By attending the Retail in a Digital World Skills Bootcamp, you’ll gain practical, real-world skills to confidently run and grow a modern retail business in an increasingly digital marketplace. This hands-on programme goes beyond marketing alone, giving you a complete understanding of how digital impacts every part of retail – from customer experience and online selling to operations, fulfilment and future trends.

You’ll learn how today’s consumers shop across multiple channels, how to deliver excellent customer service online, and how to present and sell products effectively through websites, social platforms and digital marketplaces. The course also builds essential knowledge around e-commerce operations, stock systems, online payments, SEO for retail, and social media strategies designed specifically for selling products.

Throughout the Bootcamp, you’ll explore emerging retail innovations, sustainability, creator-led selling and the use of AI-powered tools to support customer service and efficiency. Alongside technical skills, you’ll also develop the confidence, resilience and planning mindset needed to succeed as a retailer.

By the end of the Bootcamp, you’ll leave with a clear, practical digital retail plan tailored to your own business – and the skills, tools and confidence to put it into action.

Join the funded Retail in a Digital World Skills Bootcamp and take part in 60 hours of live, online training delivered by experienced industry professionals. This practical programme is designed to support retailers at every stage, helping you build the digital, operational and customer-focused skills needed to grow in today’s evolving retail landscape.

You’ll gain hands-on experience across online selling, digital merchandising, customer service, social media for retail, e-commerce operations and emerging AI tools. Alongside technical learning, the course also supports essential soft skills such as confidence in selling, resilience, time management and problem-solving – all crucial for running a successful retail business.

Throughout the Bootcamp, you’ll receive constructive feedback on your digital retail plans from trainers and fellow learners, helping you refine your ideas and turn them into clear, actionable strategies. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with other retailers, founders and employees from across the Solent area of Hampshire, sharing insights, challenges and experiences in a supportive learning environment.

By the end of the course, you’ll leave not only with a completed digital retail plan, but with the confidence, connections and practical skills to put it into action and move your business forward.

Amanda McCombie

Trainer

Amanda is an experienced marketing trainer with 8+ years of industry insight. Areas of specialism include content creation, branding, SEO and keywords, copywriting and more.

“When I am not delivering marketing training, I’m out and about walking my 3 dogs and rewatching Harry Potter.”

We’ll be sharing feedback here soon from learners who have completed our Retail in a Digital World Skills Bootcamp. In the meantime, you can explore testimonials from participants on our other Skills Bootcamp programmes further down this page to see the impact our training has had on local businesses and founders.

Q. What is the Retail In A Digital World Skills Bootcamp?

Q. Who is eligible to attend the Retail In A Digital World Skills Bootcamp?

Q. I have already completed a Skills Bootcamp, can I enrol on another?

Why choose to learn with Fareport Training?

Fareport Training was established in 1981 in order to offer young people a route into work through work based training. In 2014 the business was purchased with support from entrepreneur Theo Paphitis by Natalie Cahill and Marinos Paphitis. Since then we have been building on Fareport’s excellent reputation for high quality training, delivering apprenticeships, HTQ’s and Skills Bootcamps across England. We are proud to offer:

Expert-Led Instruction: Gain insights from industry leaders and seasoned professionals.
Cutting-Edge Curriculum: Stay ahead with the latest trends, tools, and techniques.
Flexible Learning Options: Balance your education with your professional and personal life.

Register your interest today!

Complete the short form below to share your details, and a member of our Enrolment team will contact you to talk through the next steps and answer any questions.

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Customer Testimonials

Real experiences, real success—hear from our learners and employers about how our training programmes have made a difference.

Hampshire Digital Marketing Bootcamp

The course covered all aspects of digital marketing, with great training on using data for effective campaigns. Our trainer was friendly, professional, and her knowledge has been a breath of fresh air, helping the business move forward.

Emma Shellis-Murray

M&M Gas Services Southern Ltd

Hampshire Digital Marketing Bootcamp

Every session I gained insight into something I did not know. This course is great for anyone with their own business or wanting to build their skills within the digital marketing industry.

Katie Goodyear

Hampshire Digital Marketing Bootcamp

I’ve learned so much that’s valuable to me and my business. It’s been enjoyable, and I’ve regained confidence. My business now has a strong brand identity, and I’m confident I know what to do to make it a success.