SGF Annual Conference 2009
SGF President, Colin Landsburgh, speaking at the SGF Conference
At the annual Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) Conference, held from the 27th February to the 1st March 2009 at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews, John Drummond, Chief Executive of SGF addressed over 300 delegates. Speaking at the start of the Conference, John Drummond said;
“The key theme for this year’s conference is Community First! and brings together retailers and suppliers – expanding relationships between the two and exploring the integral role of the local shop within communities throughout Scotland.”
The Friday Business Seminar, chaired by Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland Political Editor, marked the start of the Conference. Delegates heard from Steve Stotesbury of Imperial Tobacco, David Thomson of Scottish Trading Standards, Iain Landsburgh of A M Landsburgh Ltd, Gary Cox, Head of the Licensing Department with the Scottish Government and Joanna Brynes of the Anderson Partnership.
Following presentations from the speakers on the latest legislative developments on tobacco and licensing, delegates had the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification on issues raised by the panel of experts.
Community was the common thread flowing through all the presentations during the Saturday Morning Business Sessions. Colin Landsburgh, SGF President, opening the Session, spoke of the economic challenges facing retailers over the next year and talked about some of the opportunities and “silver linings” available to convenience store retailers as the public return to their local shop. In addition he announced a major new initiative to encourage retailers to engage with politicians. The SGF Community Store Campaigner will assist politically motivated retailers to engage with their locally elected representatives on issues affecting the convenience store industry.
One of the key themes of the conference was to provide delegates with ideas and practical advice to improve their businesses. Claire Smith, Sales and Marketing Director at C.J. Lang & Son Ltd discussed how community retailing could add real value to retail businesses and offered some ideas for retailers to take away and apply including engaging with local MSPs and celebrating you achievements in the local press.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead MSP, highlighted the need for the Scottish Government to work in partnership with the convenience store industry in order to successfully deliver on policies including tobacco control, licensing and a national food policy.
Stephen Brown was able to demonstrate how successfully David Sands has focused on healthier choices through the use of customer feedback which has helped them shape their offer and the support their staff.
Ross Kerr, Programme Co-ordinator of the Healthy Living Programme was able to outline the continued success and development of the Healthy Living Programme including the decision taken by the Scottish Government to pull all the healthier branding together under one brand and the opportunity this provides to include other categories other than just fruit and vegetables. The new brand will have the strap line “Take life on- One step at a Time”.
Delegates heard from Shaun Whelan about the steps Mars take around the world to ensure they play a responsible role within the communities in which they operate both in terms of trading and the environment and ensuring consumers enjoy chocolate as part of a balanced diet and health lifestyle.
The final speaker of the session, Simon Toy, informed delegates of the importance of optimism and the development of an optimistic attitude equals success.
Commenting at the end of the conference John Drummond said,
“I hope the everything delegates have heard of the two days from our fantastic speakers will encourage retailers to have the courage, optimism and build even better businesses fro themselves.”
Scottish Grocers Federation