Gerald Ratner seminar free to Ideal Business Show
By admin
Issued on behalf of Ideal Business Show Wales
One of the UK’s most controversial businessmen Gerald Ratner will be giving a free seminar at the Ideal Business Show Wales on Thursday June 14th.
Gerald Ratner became a household name when, as chief executive of the jewellery chain Ratners, he described some of his stock as “total crap”.
He went on to compound this faux pas by saying some of Ratners’ earrings were “cheaper than an M&S prawn sandwich but probably wouldn’t last as long”.
He made the comments at what he thought was a private function and assumed it wouldn’t be reported. But it was and it led to a very public share crash and the company swiftly going bankrupt.
Amid all the controversy and colourful language it is often forgotten that Ratner was previously one of the country’s most successful businessmen.
He had based his business philosophy on his experiences as a boy in Petticoat Lane Market in London, where he’d observed that “the people who shouted the loudest and appeared to give the best offers sold the most.”
After taking over the family firm with 130 stores in 1984 he grew it to 2,500 stores and 25,000 employees with annual sales of £1.2 billion and profits of £121 million six years later.
These days Gerald Ratner has several smaller businesses including a health club and an online-jewellery store collaboration called “Gerald Online”.
Still one of the most colourful characters in British business, he will share his experiences with visitors to the Ideal Business Show Wales at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff in the Innovation Theatre at 1pm on Thursday June 14.
To register for free fast track entry to the Ideal Business Show Wales, visit the website at www.idealbusinessshow.co.uk or email us at register@idealbusinessshow.co.uk
