The course, entitled "Strengthening Traditional Retail Shop Owners and Their Heirs", is being organised in conjunction with the SME Incubation Centre at the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy.

The move is part of Makro's campaign to help traditional retail members improve their stores and competitiveness, and achieve sustainable improvements in their businesses.

"Makro believes that collaboration with the SME Incubation Centre will help today's traditional retail shop owners and those who follow them to improve their business," said Chatrchai Tuongratanaphan, Makro's marketing and business development director.

"The course will teach the entire spectrum of retail operations and management, from how to develop business strategies and marketing plans, to finance and even interior design. Those who attend the course will be able to deal with the problems that occur while they are running their business."

As part of the "Makro: Your Business Partner" campaign, the course will target not only the present generation of shop owners but also their successors, with the aim of building a new generation with the ability to run a retail business with long-term sustainability.

Prof Jintana Boonbongkarn, director of the SME Incubation Centre, said the centre had collaborated with Makro to draft a specific curriculum for the course, which will be taught by Chulalongkorn University lecturers and experts. The curriculum covers every subject necessary for running a retail business, and experts from Makro will be sharing their experience and expertise with the attendees.

Those wishing to attend the course should be Makro members or their heirs, must own a retail shop, run a co-op shop or be planning to open a new one. Applicants must be aged 20-45 with a diploma or a bachelor's degree. They must also show determination to improve their own and their business's potential.

The fee for the course is Bt3,000 and it will be held on Wednesdays from 1pm till 4pm at Makro Retailer Centre, Makro Lat Phrao, from August to October.

Applications will be accepted from now to July 11 at all Makro branches. Copies of education certificates, house registration, ID card and commercial registration should be attached to the application form together with a photograph of the applicant's shop.