Retailers encouraged to take part in study

Aston University 's Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) is undertaking a study that aims to better understand productivity in the retail sector.

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project is open to retailers who classify as microbusinesses (one to nine staff), are based in the West Midlands and identify as an ethnic minority owned business.

Retail business owners are invited to participate in up to three Zoom or telephone interviews, with a project researcher, lasting between 30 and 45 minutes, over the next 12 months.

Researchers would also like to conduct a short interview with an employee on one occasion during the study (lasting 20-30 minutes).

Participants will be paid £25 for each complete interview. All information will be treated in confidence.

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, subject to the eligibility criteria outlined above and attempts to maximise variation across the types of retailers represented.

More details about the project can be viewed on CREME 's website.

If you would like to express an interest, or have an informal discussion, please contact Professor Monder Ram (pictured), director of the CREME, at m.ram1@aston.ac.uk or research Dr Imelda McCarthy on i.mccarthy@aston.ac.uk