Dreamland Bedding, a finalist in this year’s People in Retail Awards, sat down with its general manager, Matt Randle, to discuss how a mix of community focus, continuous learning and hands‑on leadership shape a retailer that aims to give back.
From fast‑food crew to retail executive
Randle’s career began at a McDonald’s outlet after finishing his A‑levels. He wanted a paycheck, not a diploma.
In his early twenties he entered an apprenticeship that sparked a genuine interest in learning. The experience convinced him to pursue a Business Enterprise degree focused on small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises and retail.
While studying, he worked weekends at Dreamland Bedding, initially because his parents offered rent‑free accommodation in exchange for labor. The hands‑on exposure to customers and store operations soon turned the job into a passion.
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“I’d managed people before, but I’d never really had that face‑to‑face interaction with customers, and I found I loved it,” he recalled.
Learning on the job and leading with purpose
After a decade away from formal study, Randle felt his knowledge was getting stale. He enrolled in an MBA through an apprenticeship, a move the company’s owner supported both financially and logistically.
The owner’s simple instruction, “Go and do it,” allowed Randle to balance coursework with daily responsibilities. He says the lessons were not filed away; they were tested on the shop floor and tweaked as needed.
Randle describes his leadership style as “stakeholder leadership,” meaning every decision weighs people, planet and profit. He believes sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s a lens for evaluating long‑term impact.
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His view of leadership includes a longer‑term vision that improves the business, the neighbourhood and the environment, not just the bottom line.
From a broader perspective, the shift toward integrating education and community engagement reflects a growing expectation that retailers act as local anchors. When a store invests in apprenticeships or sustainability projects, it can help reshape public perception of an area, encouraging other businesses to follow suit.
Community ties and awards
His involvement extends beyond the store. He serves on the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, speaks at schools and colleges, and participates in industry panels on learning and development.
Despite recent offers for senior roles elsewhere, Randle remains at Dreamland Bedding.
