Archives

Minimum Wage Rise Increases Pressure on Local Shops

25 March 2010

Commenting on the decision to increase the minimum wage for adults by 2.2% to £5.93, John Drummond, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) said,

“In our submission to the Low Pay Commission we suggested there should be no further increase to the national minimum wage until the economic conditions had significantly improved.

“A number of SGF members have experienced little growth in their businesses over the past year and cannot afford to pay additional wages.

“The Chancellors decision to increase the national minimum wage by 2.2% will force retailers to reduce hours and reconsider plans to employ new staff.

“The timing of the increase is a direct threat to jobs.”

SGF Comments on the Budget

24 March 2010

Commenting on measures announced by the Chancellor in the Budget, John Drummond, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) said,

“The increase in duty on alcohol and tobacco was predictable. Duty increases play into the hands of “white van man” by fuelling the black market in tobacco and alcohol. This will have a negative impact on sales for legitimate retailers.

“Many of our members were concerned about proposals to increase fuel duty by three pence per litre. The proposal to phase in the increase will offer some relief.

“SGF remain disappointed that the Chancellor is proceeding with the planned increase in National Insurance Contributions. Employment costs are one of the biggest expenses for small shops. We believe during these challenging economic times the Government should be taking steps to encourage retailers to invest in additional staff and training rather than increasing the pressure on small shops.”

SGF Supports Youth Commission’s call for Greater use of Proof of Age Card

16 March 2010

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has welcomed recommendations, published today by the Scottish Youth Commission on Alcohol, to promote the UK PASS and the Young Scot National Entitlement Card as the universally recognised proof of age card.

The Scottish Youth Commission on Alcohol was established by the Scottish Government to support young people make suggestions for policy and action to change Scotland’s culture in relation to alcohol. Sixteen people aged between 14 and 22 have completed a year long investigation.

John Drummond, Chief Executive of SGF said,

“SGF supports the Youth Commission’s view that a multi pronged approach to tackling alcohol must be adopted which places education from an early age high on the agenda.

“SGF members would welcome a culture change in which young people automatically provide proof of age when purchasing alcohol. We have repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to support a public awareness raising campaign to promote the proof of age element of the Young Scot card. It would stop alcohol getting into the wrong hands and protect sales staff from mistakenly selling alcohol to a person under the age of 18.

“The Commission also refers to the legislation surrounding alcohol advertising much of which is reserved to the UK Government. SGF has consistently warned the Scottish Government that unless advertising restrictions apply to all forms of advertising any restrictions the Scottish Government attempt to impose would be extremely damaging for small shops whilst playing into the hands of the supermarkets that have the resources available to utilise broadcast media to advertise alcohol.”

Drummond Gives Evidence to MSPs on Alcohol Bill

11 March 2010

The Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF), John Drummond, has given evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sports Committee as it takes evidence on the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill. The panel asked challenging questions about the range of measures included in the Bill including minimum pricing, a social responsibility levy and restrictions on promotions. John Drummond who appeared alongside representatives from Scottish Beer and Pub Association, Scottish Licensed Trade Assocation, NOCTIS – The Voice of the Nighttime Economy and Consumer Focus Scotland gave the perspective of local shops. Speaking after the hearing John Drummond said:

“SGF are concerned the debate surrounding alcohol has been dominated by minimum pricing. When considering the impact measures in the Bill will have on the convenience store sector, minimum pricing has a less competitive impact than other measures such as restrictions on promotions and promotional material and banning off sales to under 21s.

“The committee meeting was an invaluable opportunity to attempt to explain this to MSPs. We hope the politicians will consider the views of small shops when scrutinsing the Bill.”

SGF Links with Supermarkets at Scottish Grocery Retailers Forum

10 March 2010

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) recently attended the Scottish Government’s Scottish Grocery Retailers Forum. This was the first meeting to be held since SGF was invited to join the Forum by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, further to the Convenience Store Summit that took place in October 2009.

The Scottish Grocery Retailers’ Forum was set up to take forward work on the National Food and Drink Policy.

Issues at the meeting ranged from the economy, protected food names and provenance labelling to the Obesity Route Map and Alcohol Bill.

Speaking at the meeting, John Drummond, Chief Executive of SGF said,

“SGF are delighted to be involved with the Forum. I see it as recognition of the role played by convenience stores across Scotland.

“The issues are similar, whether stores are large or small. We look forward to contributing to the work of the Forum.”

Scottish Government Funding Supports Phase 4 of the SGF Healthy Living Programme

2 March 2010

The Public Health Minister, Shona Robison MSP, recently announced an additional investment of £679,000 to support Phase 4 of the SGF Healthy Living Programme.

Speaking at the SGF Conference the Minister announced the funding would be provided over 3 years. Phase 4 includes plans to:

• Extend the programme to all local authority areas in Scotland in order to improve consumption amongst retailers.
• Aim to increase membership of the programme to over 800 stores, especially in retail outlets located in low income areas.
• Create a ‘Gold Standard’ for stores already in the programme who want to go that little bit further in promoting healthier produce
• Expand the range of produce covered by the Healthy Living Programme beyond fruit and vegetables to include foods such as wholemeal bread, low-fat milk, fish and potatoes
• Pilot a scheme to make healthier ‘meal deals’ available in shops near schools.

John Drummond, Chief Executive of SGF said, “The Scottish Government’s continued support for the SGF Healthy Living Programme is extremely welcome. The key success of the programme has been its ability to improve access to and take–up of affordable healthier food options, helping to drive forward long-term changes towards a healthier Scottish food culture whilst providing an economic benefit to retailers.”

“The use of a voluntary approach has helped persuade retailers to engage in the Programme and led to substantial inward investment and innovation in the fresh produce and healthy foods categories by retailers.”

SGF Conference 2010 Proves to be a “Winning Formula”

1 March 2010

Graeme Knowles, newly appointed SGF President

The convenience industry recently came together in St Andrews to take part in SGF Conference. The event, which is the centrepiece of the Scottish convenience calendar, gave over 200 delegates, representing over 1000 stores, the chance to discuss the main opportunities and challenges the industry faces. This unique event brought together a broad range of wholesalers, suppliers and convenience retailers from major national and international companies to independent local shops.

SGF Chief Executive John Drummond said: “The SGF Conference is about facing the big strategic challenges and looking at practical ideas that we can take away and put into practice, whether a large convenience retailer or an independent. The range of the delegates and the quality of the speakers makes the SGF Conference unique and important for the sector.”

Organised around the theme of a ‘Winning Formula’, speakers included leading industry figures Graeme Knowles speaking at his first conference as the newly appointed SGF President; Neil Turton of Nisa; Steven Fox of Booker; Andrew Thornton, Budgens independent retailer; Andy Davis of BP; market research expert for the industry, Ed Garner and supplier Jonathan Kemp of A.G. Barr. In addition, Shona Robison MSP, Public Health Minister, announced additional funding from the Scottish Government of £670,000 over three years, to support the roll out of Phase 4 of the SGF Healthy Living Programme.

John Drummond said; “As the convenience sector becomes more and more competitive with increasing threats from the multiples and discounters speakers shared their passion for the industry with delegates and identified practical ways that retailers can be unique and see off these threats whilst harnessing new opportunities.”