Independent retailers have been quick to praise William Reed Publishing for its ground breaking GrocerTV multimedia initiative, which went live on Sky Digital channel 642 at 7am on September 6. Leading suppliers, retailers and media professionals were invited to the Planet Hollywood restaurant in London for a special screening of the first programme on the day it aired. And all said they were impressed by what they saw. Mike Bowen, chief executive of Mace, and chairman of the Association of Convenience Stores, spoke for many when he described the debut as "terrific". "It's nice and breezy and very newsy. You should be congratulated for having the guts to do something like this." Each programme carries competitions retailers can enter by pointing their browser at www.grocertv.co.uk. And the first winning entry in this week's category makeover competition was submitted by a retailer in Somerset at 9.25am on the day the programme was aired. The web site also features a host of offers for retailers, ranging this week from free Pepsi chillers to a special deal with Time Computers. Retailers who miss a particular programme, or who want to revisit parts of the series, should also visit grocertv.co.uk where they can watch video clips of the News, Category Makeover and C-store-plus features. Next week's programme will feature tips about phonecards, advice on how to remerchandise crisps and snacks, and a look at salads. So make sure you are tuned into Sky Digital channel 642 on September 13 at 7am or for the repeat at 7.30am. If you miss the programme point your browser to www.grocertv.co.uk. {{NEWS }}