Scottish Grocers’ Federation event covers a host of important issues for convenience retailers
CONVENIENCE retailers have benefited from a range of insights at the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) annual mini-summit.
The event at the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel in Falkirk earlier this month brought together industry experts, panellists and shopkeepers to debate a range of priority topics for the sector.
It was followed by a hustings ahead of the general election, where retailers grilled party representatives on the impact of crime, illicit trade, over-regulation and trust in politics.
The main mini-summit had sessions including Women In Retail, The 3 Es – Energy, Efficiency, Environment and a Policy Matters discussion on key issues impacting convenience retail in Scotland.
It covered areas such as the burden of regulation on small businesses, Minimum Unit Pricing, the National Living Wage and potential restrictions on alcohol marketing, vaping products and less healthy foods.
Following the summit, Navarra Retail Systems has agreed to supply smart gantries that combat tobacco theft to SGF members at a discounted rate.
Chaired by BBC Scotland’s Gary Robertson, the hustings saw Brian Whittle MSP, Daniel Johnson MSP, Kenny MacAskill (former MP, prospective candidate), and Willie Rennie MSP, take the opportunity to set out their priorities for a new UK Parliament as well as key issues for Scottish policymakers.
The SGF had earlier launched its own election manifesto, calling for a new approach to business regulation.
SGF chief executive Pete Cheema said: “Our events are the very best way for retailers and industry leaders to stay on top of today’s issues and ensure they have all the latest information available.”
