Vicky is victorious
Hailing from Darlington, 20 year old Victoria, who works in Disney’s flagship store in Oxford St, has reached the Final Four of Retail Trust Search For A Star. Victoria loves to perform in front of an audience and is ecstatic about the prospect of entertaining the leaders of retail at Grosvenor House during the Retail Trust London Ball. To generate enough votes to get her into the final, Victoria performed at her University and even undertook a spot of carol singing and leafleting. Plus, Disney has been very active in Victoria’s promotion getting all their UK stores on board.

Watch Victoria singing One Night Only  and vote for the Disney star to win by texting STAR 01 to 60155. Texts cost £1 (minimum 40p goes to Retail Trust).

Nicola Cassells sails through

19 year old Nicola from H Samuel in Ayr taught herself to sing in her bedroom, and has now triumphed over the other hopefuls to reach the Final Four. When not selling jewellery, Nicola loves to perform and sees Retail Trust Search For A Star as a massive opportunity for her to show her vocal abilities. Extensive social networking helped elevate Nicola into the final, plus features in the media, a Christmas concert with Ayrshire Voices and a star spot turning on her Christmas lights in the Ayr Central where friends and family drummed up votes from the crowd.

Watch Nicola singing Time To Say Goodbye and vote for Nicola by texting STAR 03 to 60155. Texts cost £1 (minimum 40p goes to Retail Trust).

Top tweets for Leanne

19 year old Leanne Robinson from Walthamstow is honoured to represent her company River Island who are supporting her every step of the way, even directing people to her video on their online forum “styleinsider”. Leanne lived and breathed the social networking scene to generate enough votes to land a place in the Final Four, tweeting all day long calling for her followers to support her in her quest for stardom. Leanne is no stranger to the stage as you can see from her new single Harmony of Love on YouTube.

Watch Leanne singing If I Were A Boy at her audition, follow her on twitter and vote for her by texting STAR 06 to 60155. Texts cost £1 (minimum 40p goes to Retail Trust).

Leading lady Louise
Louise Geatch from Lancaster is usually found clinching deals on toys and games for Early Learning Centre, part of the Mothercare group, but to clock up enough votes to propel her into the Final Four, she took to the streets of Lancaster armed with a huge display board and an even bigger voice. Louise regaled shoppers with their requests while her colleagues persuaded passers-by to vote for her. She received enough votes to boost her into the final and even a proposal of marriage!

Watch Louise singing O Mio Babbino Caro and vote for her by texting STAR 09 to 60155. Texts cost £1 (minimum 40p goes to Retail Trust).

Hot tickets in the ‘Big Freeze’
Just as the country begins to thaw from its frozen standstill, the retailers’ party of the year - the Retail Trust London Ball - is hotting up, and there are only two tables left. Book yours NOW as it promises to be bigger and better than ever. Bigger as we’ve reshuffled to accommodate the multitude of retailers who were intent on not missing the unmissible...better because this year’s celebrations include the live grand final of Retail Trust Search For A Star, plus the best array of silent auction prizes we’ve ever had.

Bid now on all the exclusive prizes including the flavoursome team challenge or a day at the championship course at the Woburn Golf Club on the Buy Once Give Twice website.

Rejuvenate your career with ReWork

With the new year comes a brand new programme of Resolving Redundancy Workshops. ReWork equips those facing redundancy from retail with skills and expertise to help them get a new job. The first workshop – Take Action For Positive Impact - will be hosted on 28 January at Bond Pearce in Central London by Audra Lamoon and Sue Gilkes, better known as Blondes in Business (pictured).

See other dates of Resolving Redundancy Workshops – now open to anyone who is facing redundancy from retail. The Retail Trust Guide to Resolving Redundancy and Personal Career Coaching are also in the offering – total package worth over £1,000 – all yours absolutely free!

Nigel has his say

The £8.4 million retirement estate Moores House in Salford is officially open! The opening was attended by over 100 distinguished guests, supporters and residents who all commented on the splendour of the community-led estate. See some photos here.

Calling all ambitious retail managers…last chance to apply for Retail Trust and Skillsmart Retail's free scholarships to bssa’s Oxford Masters Forum.

The Retail Trust London Ball has sold more tables than ever and this year we’re hoping to smash last year’s fundraising record of £1 million to raise money for the charity.