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Top Class Speakers Lined Up for SGF Annual Conference
22 December 2009
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has lined up an exciting programme of speakers for its annual conference, at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews, from the 26th to 28th February 2010
The theme for the conference is “A Winning Formula”, with business sessions planned to help retailers achieve a winning formula that can be translated into their business.
The Saturday Morning Business Session, chaired by Jamie Buchanan, Company Stores Director at C.J. Lang & Son Ltd has a line up of inspirational speakers including:
• Neil Turton, Chief Executive of Nisa-Today’s. Relationships with retailers and suppliers are key to successful business development. Neil will show how these relationships are reflected in Nisa supplied stores across the country.
• Ed Garner, TNS. Ed is one of the best in the business at presenting market information. His humorous style is second to none and converts the interesting into the exciting.
• Andy Davis, BP. Andy is a leading expert in the convenience store sector especially on the requirements of fresh products and the take home sector. As Head of European Trading at BP, he is in a position to know what is successful and why, as he attempts to anticipate trends in this important and developing category.
• Andrew Thornton, retailer. Andrew has a fascinating tale to tell of how he has managed to see off very close competition from a Tesco Express. Retailers will be inspired by Andrew’s story and will learn practical lessons which they can apply to their own business.
Completing the line up of speakers will be by Steve Fox. Director of Retail and Premier Development at Booker, who will outline opportunities for retailers in the market place and focus on the success of the Premier brand and Commercial Director at AG Barr, Jonathan Kemp, who will provide an interesting and humorous insight into his company’s activities.
The business element of the conference will close with a stimulating presentation from Watt Nicol. His energetic and entertaining style, which has been described as verbal fireworks, will leave everyone upbeat.
John Drummond, Chief Executive of SGF said: “The impressive line up of speakers is one of the very best we have ever brought together for our conference. Bookings are going well and we anticipate record attendance.”
More information on the Conference is available on the SGF website www.scottishshop.org.uk or by contacting SGF 0131 343 3300.
Chancellor Rejects Retailers Pleas Over 17.5% VAT ReinstatemeCnt
9 December 2009
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has expressed disappointment at the Chancellors rejection of calls by the retail sector to delay the reinstatement of the 17.5% VAT to February 2010.
John Drummond, Chief Executive of SGF said:
“Retailers are disappointed the Chancellor has ignored their pleas to delay the reinstatement of the 17.5% VAT rate. The timing of the VAT increase, on the 1st January, represents the busiest trading period for retailers. In addition, both the 1st and 2nd of January 2010 are bank holidays in Scotland, when retail businesses are working with restricted staffing levels due to holidays. Applying these changes will increase costs and the level of administration for retailers at the worst possible time.
“Increased employment costs are one of the biggest threats for small shops. Raising national insurance contributions will undermine retailers ability to provide jobs in communities across Scotland.
“The Chancellors decision not to readjust the duty rates which were increased in 2008 to account for the decline in VAT is damaging both to consumers and retailers.
“Deferring the planned 1% rise in corporation tax will provide some welcome relief in amongst a report which does little to boost business for convenience store retailers.”
Scottish Grocers Federation