Retailers were out in force looking for a competitive edge at this year’s Convenience Retailing Show - which took place between Tuesday and Thursday at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.
Visitor numbers were expected to soar above the 5,000 mark at the final count as more than 200 exhibitors from the UK and overseas aimed to attract new business and touch base with existing customers.
No one was working harder to secure new recruits than the retail symbol groups, who were using CRS to step up the battle against the major multiples.
The timing could not have been more appropriate, with a recent report predicting Tesco
will become Britain’s biggest convenience retailer by the end of this year.
Steve Jones, director at the 87-store symbol group Select & Save, said: “This year is going to be harder than any other, which makes this show important for us. The multiples have provided a wake up call for independent retailers, and symbol groups can help them compete.”
James Hall, business development controller at Bestway’s Best-one fascia, which currently has around 300 stores in its portfolio, said he was using CRS for “an aggressive recruitment drive”. The group was making much of the fact it charges no membership fees to attract new retailers.
Budgens’ head of retail recruitment, Charles Mills, said he expected to receive 1,000 inquiries and around 30 would lead to deals as the company bids to grow its presence in the franchised store market.
John Heagney, group symbol development director at Nisa-Today’s, said CRS had provided some “very strong, quality leads”, while Spar’s marketing director, Susan Darbyshire, said the group was hoping to add to its current retailer tally of around 2,750.
Hundreds of students interested in forging a career in food and drink gathered for the second CIFAD Live! conference and mini-exhibition, which took place over three days alongside CRS.
CIFAD - Careers in Food and Drink - is a directory published by Wm Reed, publisher of The Grocer, to promote the industry. At the CIFAD Live! event, which was backed by Advantage West Midlands and the Learning+Skills Council, the directory was brought to life.
On the retail front, there were speakers from Spar, Tesco and Yo! Sushi. From manufacturing, there were speakers from Cadbury Trebor Bassett, Nestlé and Sun Valley. Elaine Marshall, who runs CIFAD, said: “CIFAD Live! is a unique event that helps showcase the brilliant careers opportunities the industry has to offer students.”
Simon Mowbray and Sonya Hook
Visitor numbers were expected to soar above the 5,000 mark at the final count as more than 200 exhibitors from the UK and overseas aimed to attract new business and touch base with existing customers.
No one was working harder to secure new recruits than the retail symbol groups, who were using CRS to step up the battle against the major multiples.
The timing could not have been more appropriate, with a recent report predicting Tesco
will become Britain’s biggest convenience retailer by the end of this year.
Steve Jones, director at the 87-store symbol group Select & Save, said: “This year is going to be harder than any other, which makes this show important for us. The multiples have provided a wake up call for independent retailers, and symbol groups can help them compete.”
James Hall, business development controller at Bestway’s Best-one fascia, which currently has around 300 stores in its portfolio, said he was using CRS for “an aggressive recruitment drive”. The group was making much of the fact it charges no membership fees to attract new retailers.
Budgens’ head of retail recruitment, Charles Mills, said he expected to receive 1,000 inquiries and around 30 would lead to deals as the company bids to grow its presence in the franchised store market.
John Heagney, group symbol development director at Nisa-Today’s, said CRS had provided some “very strong, quality leads”, while Spar’s marketing director, Susan Darbyshire, said the group was hoping to add to its current retailer tally of around 2,750.
Hundreds of students interested in forging a career in food and drink gathered for the second CIFAD Live! conference and mini-exhibition, which took place over three days alongside CRS.
CIFAD - Careers in Food and Drink - is a directory published by Wm Reed, publisher of The Grocer, to promote the industry. At the CIFAD Live! event, which was backed by Advantage West Midlands and the Learning+Skills Council, the directory was brought to life.
On the retail front, there were speakers from Spar, Tesco and Yo! Sushi. From manufacturing, there were speakers from Cadbury Trebor Bassett, Nestlé and Sun Valley. Elaine Marshall, who runs CIFAD, said: “CIFAD Live! is a unique event that helps showcase the brilliant careers opportunities the industry has to offer students.”
Simon Mowbray and Sonya Hook
No comments yet