Shop Talk 6

Attend: Enhancing Health & Social Care. Locally. Issue 6 Summer 2008

Shop talkDrawing new customers

The League of Friends of Nuffield Orthopaedic has been helping raise money for the hospital since its shop opened in 1964. The Friends have raised an average of £23,255 a year, which has helped the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre buy much-needed equipment; such as, blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation monitors, epidural infusion pumps and a number of specialist orthopaedic chairs. The Friend’s latest completed project was a large mural painted on the walls of their hospital shop this past January. The shop itself does not have any windows so the goal of this project was to find a way to brighten up the room and make it more welcoming to staff and visitors. Tom Cox, the Art Director of the hospital, introduced the Friends to artist

Susannah Brough, who is extremely experienced and has been painting murals in London and throughout England for many years. Her work graces the walls of many homes and public buildings such as hospitals, schools, hotels and cinemas. Susannah designed a mural that would symbolise natural light and the outdoors. She was able to create the appearance of natural light where there had previously just been blank walls. “League of Friends” was also painted across the wall and incorporated into the mural. This helps show the Friends’ long dedication to helping the hospital raise money to improve patient care. The new mural really adds character and colour to the newly re-built hospital. In a few years time the hospital plans on adding

another mural to the main walls inside the hospital. This new mural will represent the hospital’s long history. “We wanted to create a mural that acknowledged the League of Friends involvement with the hospital, the art work adds colour and visual interest, for staff and visitors alike, in what was initially a nondescript windowless room” – Susannah Brough, Suki Murals.

Photos: The shop murals.Photo centre: Susannah Brough gets to work.

To see more of Susannah’s murals visit: www.suki-murals.com or contact Susannah on 0207 435 4635 or 07766 066242. Email: [email protected]

2 Shop Talk | Issue 6 Summer 2008

Shop Talk is published by Attend Retail

Edited by: David Elcock [email protected]

Design by: Matt Kevan at Attend Creative [email protected]

Send your letters, retail news, questions, feature ideas and feedback to David Elcock [email protected]

If you represent a company whose services may benefit Attend Retail’s member outlets please contact David Elcock [email protected]

In this issue:

Attend, 11-13 Cavendish Square London, W1G 0AN Tel: 0845 450 0285 Fax: 0207 307 2571 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.attend.org.uk

©2008 Attend. A company limited by guarantee registered in England under no. 5713403 and in Scotland under no. SCO39237. Registered Charity no. 1113067.

Welcome to Shop Talk!

Contact details

Welcome to this edition of Shop Talk. You will find more news from across the Attend Retail estate which sees over 300 outlets of varying sizes serving their

communities and hospitals. There are latest tips and successes, from pilot projects within the regions, not to mention details of new partners who have joined us.

Also look out for details coming through your door in the next year regarding the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Attend Retail Awards 2009. Please do keep in contact with any successes from your retail activities; we would love to feature them in the next edition. Warm regards,

David Elcock, Attend Retail Manager

• Drawing new customers• Welsh hospitals lead in

healthy vending• Fundraising opportunity• Staying healthy with

EMT healthcare• Ask Attend Retail• Friends can compete in the

world of News & Mags• Friends retail news

The Confectioners Benevolent Fund provides advice, support and grants to employees from the confectionery industry and allied trades. They have a number of volunteers who provide friendship to their beneficiaries by visiting them, and organising outings. They also have area committees who help to raise much needed funds through events and activities.

Attend Retail was recently represented at The Candy Ball 2008 as guests of Ferrero. The occasion which took place in London at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane in London was the confectionary industry party of the year. The night wowed hundreds of members of the trade with non-stop entertainment, spectacular cabaret, amazing prizes, as well as sweets and chocolates galore. The evening raised over £200k for the charitable work of the Confectioners Benevolent Fund.

Sweet charity

Shop Talk

Having a ball: confectioners raise funds at the Grosvenor ball room.

3Shop Talk | Issue 6 Summer 2008

News

Eighteen year olds Ella Mgbadiefe and Stephanie Odumodu attend Our Ladies Convent High School, Stamford Hill, London and for some months have spent Friday afternoons volunteering at Moorfields Eye Hospital for the Friends. The arrival in clinic waiting areas of these two young ladies with the sales trolley is welcomed with enthusiasm. Clinic clerks and nursing staff have commented on how the girls ‘create a lovely atmosphere’, and the

Friends’ Shop is delighted at the regularly high levels of sales figures. Their recent takings of just over £87 is a trolley round record – overtaking even some of the figures recorded by the Friends of Moorfields Eye Hospital “supersalesperson” John Rose. With their enthusiasm and friendly, willing approach, volunteers such as Ella, Stephanie and John make such a difference to a patient’s day at the hospital. Congratulations from Attend Retail for providing such an excellent and much appreciated service.

When a Post Office worker retired at the age of 65 he wondered what he was going to do with himself. Now he is retiring once again

– after more than 22 years of voluntary work. Aged 86, David Tout was volunteering at Oldchurch Hospital within a week of his retirement. He explained: “I knew I’d miss working, so I went straight to the Citizens Advice Bureau.” They put him in touch with Oldchurch where David would work in The League of Friends shop in the mornings, and spend the afternoons in A&E, helping to direct people to the correct department. When Oldchurch shut down in 2006 David continued his work at Queen’s Hospital. Jean Thompson, Volunteer Co-ordinator of Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust, said: “David has given tireless support to staff and patients for many years. “We will miss his warm friendship and his gentle and helpful manner. He has made a huge contribution to the service, it is people like him who make a visit to our hospitals more pleasant.” David, of Neville Road, Dagenham, was presented with a certificate for Volunteer of the Year in 2007, but had to retire in December after being diagnosed as partially blind in one eye. Angie Smith, of the NHS Trust, said:

“David is a lovely man, and we are very sad that he is unable to carry on helping us here at Queen’s.”

Shop Trolley Volunteers: Ella Mgbadiefe and Stephanie Odumodu

Off their trollies

Thinking of starting a shop trolley service at your hospital? Want to update a current trolley you have? Do remember Attend Retail’s partner Reward Manufacturing that produces trolleys for this exact use.

Contact details:Reward ManufacturingNorthern office – Jonathan Hooper:01756 797755.Southern office – Toby Heath:01702 715170

We are also currently negotiating with another trolley manufacturer, please contact David Elcock for more information.

David Tout, volunteer of the year

We now have three solutions with P&H to meet your delivered wholesale needs. Each package offers exclusive discounts and benefits only available to Attend members.

Attend Symbol – larger outlets may want to consider the bigger discounts, up to 15% and retailer support provided by becoming part of this scheme and adopting the brand new Friends Shop brand.

Attend Ambient – our standard package that still offers exclusive discounts off invoice of up to 10% – meaning greater

savings on wholesale and bigger profits for your charity.

Attend Chilled & Frozen – again featuring exclusive discounts, if you sell ice-cream or chilled food and drinks your supply needs are met here.

Plus news –see article on page eleven.

Contact David Elcock, Attend Retail Manager for more information or advice on 0845 4500285 or [email protected] (Mon-Weds)

P&H Delivered Wholesale news

David Tout receives his award.


Almost 20% of 6 to 13 year olds in Wales are overweight or obese – the highest rate in the UK – as are six out of every 10 men, and half of women. To tackle this problem, the Welsh Assembly Government believes that hospitals should lead by example in providing healthy options. To enforce this, NHS hospitals in Wales will be removing crisps, chocolate and sugary drinks from their vending machines and the Assembly Government says it will be liaising with vending machine providers to find ways of introducing healthier food and drink. Health Minister Edwina Hart says that Wales is the first part of the UK to commit to such a move to tackle obesity and diet-related disease. “We need to create an environment where it is easier for people to make healthy choices and our public sector settings should be an exemplar of best practice, particularly our hospitals.”

Why the call for change?The vending machine ban follows a report from a group set up last year and chaired by the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales, to improve patients’ food and drink. As expected there is a polarity in the reactions regarding these modifications from favouring and embracing them, to the fear that consumers choice has be sacrificed. In a BBC Online article, Vanessa Bourne, of the Patients Association, warned the healthy foods should not be too expensive. She said: “We need to be aware that the

healthy option shouldn’t become the expensive option because if it is, it won’t work.

“A choice is the obvious way to go and to educate people in the most meaningful sense.”Andy Scotson, spokesman for North East Wales NHS Trust, said the trust welcomed the announcement and had already moved towards offering a healthier alternative to patients and visitors. However, one 79 year old furious female patient contested “Why shouldn’t we have chocolate? It helps morale”.

What is Attend Retail’s response to this ban?David Elcock of Attend Retail said, “We would of course encourage healthy eating where possible, and it’s important to get a good balance in your diet. The changes in vending machines in Wales were expected and therefore we are happy to announce we have found a vending partner that can help respond to these changes”. Retail partner Eagle Vending provide a new vending machine called SNAK&GO which offers a menu of healthy snacks including Apple Crisps, Carrot Crisps with Paprika, Sun Valley Fruit and Nut Mix, Pineapple Segments in Fruit Juice and many more alternatives. Not only do these options comply with Government Nutritional standards for schools (11-15 year olds) with many of the products being suitable for Primary school children, this vending machine is also eco-friendly.

It is a tremendous feat for a Friends group to raise £1M. But for it to raise that amount of money just through their Hospital shop is astounding.

That’s exactly what the Friends of the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital recently achieved. Since it opened in 1963, the shop’s 200 volunteers have worked tirelessly to “keep

Welsh hospitals lead in healthy vending

Well done Welwyn Friends

What are the guidelines as to what can and what can not be in vending machines?To date, no official issuing of the guidelines have been released from the Welsh Assembly Government. When we contacted the Health Improvement division we were informed that they were currently in consultation with relevant organisations in working towards producing effective guidelines, which will be issued to the NHS in the next six months. These will recommend healthy vending food, and will aim to be in line with the Food Standards Agency scoring system.

If Friends would like more information regarding this system, it can be found on the FSA website www.food.gov.uk For information on the healthy eating vending call Eagle Vending on 01634 722999.

the show on the road”, often arriving at 7am to see the newspapers arrive. The Friends celebrated with a party hosted by John Lewis Department Store in Welwyn Garden City. Over 100 members enjoyed the buffet and live music provided by John Lewis, who have adopted the Friends as their ¨Local Charity of the Year”. The Friends have made hundreds of purchases with money raised in the shop, but the ¨£1M purchase¨ was a Corneal Topographer, which allows optometrists to carry out highly detailed eye examinations. All the purchases made by the Friends have

helped hospital staff a great deal in treating patients more effectively. At the celebration, Richard Beazley, Chairman of East and North Herts NHS Trust, expressed the thanks of the Trust, staff and patients for the service provided every day by the volunteers. He particularly noted the daily joy they bring the bed-bound patients, bringing them not only newspapers, magazine, sweets, and other items, but also a glimpse of the outside world. Mr Beazley commented on how their service is the highlight to many who must spend their days confined to a bed.

The SNAK&GO vending machines

News


Attend is working in partnership with Barnardo’s Children’s Charity to offer all our member groups with Retail outlets a fantastic fundraising solution. Along with Telecoms provider Speakeasy Telecom both charities have developed the new Diana Princess of Wales Phonecard. The phonecards which are simple to use come in £5, £10 and £20 units. They enable the caller to save up to 80%* on calls from the UK and abroad, on mobile roaming rates and hotel call charges. They can be used to call from home, office, mobile and payphones. So as well as being a great deal for your customers the cards raise and incredible amount of money on the sale of each card for three deserving causes. With your Friends group getting the ‘lions share’ Think of all the fantastic support these extra funds could provide to the work of your charity. We have negotiated a great deal for all of our members that is not to be missed:• 30% profit on all phone card sales –

e.g. £20 sold, £6 profit to your group• Sale or return – only pay for what you

have sold• No upfront outlay – credit terms offered• Free Point of Sale – A3, A4 posters

and DL leaflets

• No shelf space required – cards are as small as a credit card

• Full product support and advice – with over 10 years experience.

And just as you would expect from a high quality product, all the phonecards are covered by a full money-back guarantee. New to Phonecards? Don’t worry!

– simply call Speakeasy Telecom on 0845 223 5885 and feel free to ask any questions – big or small. So what are you waiting for? Call today to request these fantastic phonecards to raise money in your outlet.

Save up to 80%* on CallsThe Diana phonecard can be used from any phone – landline, payphone and mobile to provide great rates from the UK and Abroad. This product can be used in over 28 countries – great for Holidays! The Freephone access number allows customers to use payphones without the need for any coins.Diana Princess of Wales was President of Barnardo’s Children’s Charity from 1984-1996 and is one of the most remarkable and enduring icons of the twentieth century who continues to inspire the world’s carers and charities today. To find out more visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/shop/donate_as_shop.htm

Incredible fundraising opportunity

Amount donated to deserving cause

Phonecard value Your charity Barnardo’s Attend

£5 £1.50 10p 20p

£10 £3 20p 40p

£20 £6 40p 80p

*Save up to 80% on international calls compared to BT Residential rates on calls from UK to USA on 1 April 2008. Save up to 90% on Mobile Roaming rates compared to Vodafone “pay as you talk” from USA to UK on 1 April 2008.

For more information call Speakeasy Telecom on 0845 223 5885, quoting Attend Retail.

The £20, £10 and £5 cards

Fundraising partnerships


Member Retail outlets were recently invited to attend Pro-Retail. Now in its twenty-fourth year, it is the premier UK trade show for independent and multiple convenience retailers. Attend Retail negotiated with P&H for free invites, travel and lunch to our member groups. The event which took place at the Telford International Centre, Shropshire on the 1-3 April allowed groups to meet directly with over 180 suppliers that could provide products, services and support for their Retail operation.

David Elcock and John Comery of Attend Retail welcomed many visiting Friends groups. Groups that attended were introduced directly to our partners. The League of Friends of Derbyshire Royal Infirmary met with Walkers, they now have new free display equipment for their outlet as a result. Ken Green, of the Friends recently contacted us to say ‘The display units are going very well’. Jon Marx and Derek Sayers from the Friends of The RNOH Stanmore, met with us in the Attend P&H Business Lounge. We then arranged to visit their group and

Retail excellence for Attend Retail members

produce a retail report for their outlet development. Mr Marx recently emailed us to say, ‘We found our meeting at Pro-Retail very interesting and helpful – for which many thanks’.

New suppliers to your outlet

David and John also conducted many meetings with suppliers whose services or products can help your outlets. After two days of hard negotiations we are pleased to announce that we were able to sign up 10 new partners with exclusive discounts for our members. They offer services from delivered cakes, magazine and newspaper wholesale, hot instant panini’s and bacon rolls, pre-packed sandwiches and salads, pocket money toys, greetings cards and Fairtrade hot beverage vending. Please check out the directory of partners coming online soon for full details.

Not all work, work, work

The evening saw the Pro-Retail Supplier Excellence Awards and Gala Meal. The event saw Attend Retail partner Nestle scoop ‘Palmer and Harvey Supplier of the Year’. A three course meal was served and entertainment was provided by regular contributors to the BBC’s Mock The Week

– it’s hard work but somebody has to do it!

Exhibitions

Friends with new partners, The Original Poster Company. Medway Friends visit Attend Retail’s business lounge.

John Comery having a brew and a laugh with Friends.


EMT Healthcare Ltd have become a leading independent wholesaler, supplying over 3000 products to the retail sector. They offer both own label ranges and branded products. As a retail partner of Attend, they understand that you are supplying your customers with often forgotten/impulse items and their product portfolio caters for both hospital patients and visitors that frequent your store. As a customer of EMT, you can expect a regular visit from your local representative who will fulfil your retail requirements and introduce relevant new products.

Staying healthy with EMT Healthcare

”We have dealt with EMT for many years and have always received very good service with a fantastic range of products to choose from”Wendy Parton, The Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

“A friendly face with a reliable service”Anne Frost, League of Friends of Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre

They offer a 10% discount on own label product ranges giving an average POR of 37%. They now have an exclusive 5% discount available off the Avent Baby range. EMT Healthcare have enjoyed serving Friends outlets with products and experience and often receive good testimonials and appreciation.

Toiletries Beauty

Baby products Accessories

Partner update

To arrange a full presentation call 0115 849 7700 or email [email protected] that you are a member of Attend to qualify for the exclusive discount.


Attend Retail projects

Soft drinks category management trial success

�Shop Talk | Issue 4 Summer 2007

News


Regular readers of Shop Talk will remember that in Issue 4 we asked if any groups would be willing to take part in a pilot project with our retail partner GSK and get paid for it? The opportunity was given to be included in a three week chiller planogram trial. This involved adopting a new soft drink category layout in an attempt to increase sales.

The Friends based in the Medway Maritime Hospital were pleased to volunteer themselves and soon saw the benefit.

The GSK rep visited the group and

we have seen reduced out of stocks and seen a considerable uplift in sales”.

Get paid to do the same If any retail outlets are interested in implementing this planogram and receiving £50 from Attend and GSK for doing so, or if you are interested in the GSK Equipment range, which could be available to you free subject to availability and viability, please contact Darren Johnson on 07717800937 or email [email protected]

Increase sales: new category management approach planogram

TRADITIONAL squash is being replaced by smoothies and energy drinks in terms of popularity, a study says. Sales of the fruit cordial plunged six per cent to less than £400million last year and it now accounts for just 11 per cent of the soft-drinks market in shops. This is despite environmental benefits, namely concentrated drinks save on packaging. Sales of mineral water also fell by six per cent last year, after concerns about wasted bottles and claims that tap water is as good. By contrast, pure fruit juice, smoothies, lemonade and energy drinks rose up the

sales league table. “Health has set the agenda in soft drinks in the past 12 months”, said the survey in The Grocer Magazine

Consumers put the squeeze on squash

with their help implemented a category management approach.

As a result the sales increased as compared to the same period in the previous year. This meant more money is being raised for the charity’s good work.

Katie Eden, Manager at the Friends outlet said, ‘Our GSK rep Erica exchanged our old closed fronted coolers to an open fronted dairy deck. She then came in and implemented a planogram that gave more space to our best selling products. As a result

£5,165

£6,1342008

£840£1,054

Total soft drink sales

GSK soft drink sales

18.8% increase

25.5% increase

The increase in soft drink sales in 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 at Medway Friends as a result of the new planogram.

�Shop Talk | Issue 4 Summer 2007

News


Regular readers of Shop Talk will remember that in Issue 4 we asked if any groups would be willing to take part in a pilot project with our retail partner GSK and get paid for it? The opportunity was given to be included in a three week chiller planogram trial. This involved adopting a new soft drink category layout in an attempt to increase sales.

The Friends based in the Medway Maritime Hospital were pleased to volunteer themselves and soon saw the benefit.

The GSK rep visited the group and

we have seen reduced out of stocks and seen a considerable uplift in sales”.

Get paid to do the same If any retail outlets are interested in implementing this planogram and receiving £50 from Attend and GSK for doing so, or if you are interested in the GSK Equipment range, which could be available to you free subject to availability and viability, please contact Darren Johnson on 07717800937 or email [email protected]

Increase sales: new category management approach planogram

TRADITIONAL squash is being replaced by smoothies and energy drinks in terms of popularity, a study says. Sales of the fruit cordial plunged six per cent to less than £400million last year and it now accounts for just 11 per cent of the soft-drinks market in shops. This is despite environmental benefits, namely concentrated drinks save on packaging. Sales of mineral water also fell by six per cent last year, after concerns about wasted bottles and claims that tap water is as good. By contrast, pure fruit juice, smoothies, lemonade and energy drinks rose up the

sales league table. “Health has set the agenda in soft drinks in the past 12 months”, said the survey in The Grocer Magazine


with their help implemented a category management approach.

As a result the sales increased as compared to the same period in the previous year. This meant more money is being raised for the charity’s good work.

Katie Eden, Manager at the Friends outlet said, ‘Our GSK rep Erica exchanged our old closed fronted coolers to an open fronted dairy deck. She then came in and implemented a planogram that gave more space to our best selling products. As a result

£5,165

£6,1342008

£840£1,054

Total soft drink sales

GSK soft drink sales

18.8% increase

25.5% increase

The increase in soft drink sales in 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 at Medway Friends as a result of the new planogram.

Traditional squash is being replaced by smoothies and energy drinks in terms of popularity, a study says. Sales of fruit cordial plunged six per cent to less than £400million last year and it now accounts for just 11 per cent of the soft-drinks market in shops. This is despite environmental benefits, namely concentrated


drinks save on packaging. Sales of mineral water also fell by six per cent last year, after concerns about wasted bottles and claims that tap water is as good. By contrast, pure fruit juice, smoothies, lemonade and energy drinks rose up the sales league table. “Health has set the agenda in soft drinks in the past 12 months”, said the survey in The Grocer Magazine.

Need help with soft drink sales? Contact David Elcock at Attend Retail.

Attend Retail is now offering a free*, on-site consulting service. John Comery, Attend’s Retail Consultant, can visit your retail outlet to offer advice on issues, including; planogrammes, categories stocked, shop layout, point of sale, equipment, plans for new shops and much more. Following visits, a report will be sent that will include suggestions to think about implementing. *Attend Retail does request that groups cover the Retail Consultant’s travel expenses.

Please contact David Elcock for more information about this service and to see if a visit is appropriate.

Don’t forget –we can visit you!


Partner news

Attend Retail has a new partner for gifting and toys in BJ Toys. BJ Toys are the leading direct to store distributor of pocket money toys and seasonal units, such as, for summer and Christmas, supplied on full sale or return. Their van sales Merchandisers visit on a regular journey cycle, when product can be exchanged for new. All Merchandisers are employed by BJ Toys, and operate with an electronic hand set, so, an invoice or credit note is produced in store. They also produce a number of seasonal concepts during the year, such as Valentines day, Mothers day, Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas which are supplied on full sale or return, i.e. they deliver, erect and call after the event to invoice only for products sold. They also re-merchandise units if required due to high sales, particularly in

summer, as the range is in place over a few months. Their toy products would be supplied all year round and a merchandise unit and a starter pack is supplied to your outlet at no initial cost. The total retail value of this unit is £172 and with retail prices starting at 99p-£2.99, you will be on your way to some good profits with toys and gifts. The profit on return for their products is a healthy 36% for your outlet. BJ Toys also produce counter pack products, such as die-cast cars and plush toys.

Pocket money toys with BJ Toys

Why not give them a try today? With no initial outlay. Please call Dave Kirk of BJ Toys on 07946 315473 or email [email protected] stating you are a member of Attend.

NEWpartner


Question: Is tax payable on profits generated by the retail activities of our member charities? In specific relation to (i) hospital shops, cafeterias/tea bars or trolley services, and (ii) charity shops that sell donated goods, in support of the hospital?

Roger Yates, Higher Officer of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), comments;

“In responding to this query it is important to state the answer relates to a Friends charity with the following constitutional objects or similar:(a) To provide, or assist in the provision of, amenities in Healthcare centre(s)/Court(s)/Prison(s), for patients and staff, including the provision and running of shops in such establishments, the establishment of clubs, health and recreation centres, hostels and rest and convalescent or rehabilitation homes for the use and benefit of such persons.(b) to relieve patients and former patients of the said hospital, who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped and, generally, to support the charitable work of the said hospital. (i) In relation to new products/gifts confectionary/food stuffs etc The operation of a café/tea bar or for the sale of confectionery, toiletries, flowers, papers, books, magazines, fruit and the like for the patients and their visitors by a League of Friends for the patients (includes out-patients) of a hospital and

their visitors is trading which is ancillary to carrying out the primary purpose of the charity (the relief of the patients etc and to support the work of the hospital). Charitable tax exemption is available for the profit arising provided it is applied charitably (for example, applied for patient comforts, to buy equipment for the hospital, etc.)”. The operation of a shop in the hospital by a League of Friends for the sale of confectionery, toiletries, flowers, papers, books, magazines, fruit and the like for the patients and their visitors is also an ancillary trading and charitable tax exemption is available for the profit arising provided it is applied charitably.(ii) In relation to donated goods: The sale of donated goods by a charity is not regarded as trading and the proceeds are not liable to tax.”

Ask Attend Retail

At Attend Retail we seem to be on a roll recruiting useful suppliers to support Friends

retail activities. However with the newest

partner ‘on a roll’ can be taken literally. Introducing Premier Vanguard, who stock a full range of till rolls, printer ribbons, ink jet cartridges, and laser supplies; in fact, everything you need to support a busy retail environment. Founded in 1981 and based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Premier Vanguard prides itself on having a longstanding and experienced workforce who understand their customers needs and provide an excellent level of service and support. As holders of ISO9002/9003 plus many “First Class Supplier” awards, you can count on their customers and many industry peers commendations as well. Margaret Gilham from the Medway League of Friends has been dealing with Premier Vanguard for many years and said,

“I have always had excellent product and service from Premier Vanguard. Deliveries are prompt and their sales office makes regular contact to make sure that I never forget to order!” They carry hundreds of stock lines for all till and credit card machines plus fax rolls and bar code labels, and are committed to adopting practices aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of our operations and to supporting the principles of sustainable development. They undertake to comply with all current and future legislation related to the environment and its protection. Let them try and beat your current suppliers price and service. As an extra incentive they will give you a 10% discount on your first order. To quote on your paper roll requirements, they need the following information: • name/reference of the machine or full

dimensions of the roll used• quantity normally purchased.

Checkout Premier Vanguard till rolls

Here we look at a specific question that we have received on the Attend Retail helpline – 0845 4500285 – to build up an accessible resource of frequently asked questions.

Partner news and helpline

Please ring Keith Moore on 01480 353389 or email [email protected] for more information.

To delve deeper into this subject take a look at: • Guidance by HMR&C: Charities – Trading and business activities http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/guidance-notes/annex4/sectiona.htm • The Charity Commission also produce guidance in leaflet CC35 – Trading by Charities http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc35.asp

NEW

partner


Plus News joins Attend Retail.Palmer and Harvey, the UK’s largest wholesale distributor, is delighted to announce the launch of Plus News

– a new category management service for newspapers and magazines aimed at independent retailers. Working in partnership with Lucid Direct Ltd, the news and magazine retail consultancy, Plus News is the latest initiative from Attend Retail in partnership with Palmer and Harvey. Launched following extensive consultation with customers, Plus News will provide Friends outlets with a comprehensive tool kit that will effectively manage every aspect of the traditionally difficult news and magazine category. Market data indicates that 16% of all customers who visit a store do so with the intention of buying a newspaper, with this figure rising to 37% in traditional CTN’s with such customers visiting stores on average four times a week. Market research further showed that shoppers have a tendency to make incremental purchases in other categories such as drinks and confectionary. Given the consumer appetite and the opportunity for cross selling, providing a comprehensive news and magazines range would deliver tangible business benefits to Friends outlets.

Harnessing the news category experience that Lucid Direct has developed over two decades of servicing major multiples and combining this with its own scale and expertise, Palmer and Harvey view Plus News as a key opportunity for Friends outlets to bolster their offering in the face of rising competition from commercial concerns. The Plus News partnership of Palmer and Harvey and Lucid Direct would provide Attend Retail members with the same calibre and approach with which the news category is managed at major multiples. This would include expert advice on range, including best in class planograms, improved availability, strong monthly promotional packages and the management of the entire category supply chain including reduced wastage and liaison with publishers. In addition, Plus News members will benefit from dedicated helpline support, in depth monthly performance updates and cross category promotional initiatives. Richard Hayhoe, Director of Trading at Palmer and Harvey, said:

“The launch of Plus News further underlines Palmer and Harvey’s commitment towards helping independent retailers remain competitive in an increasingly tough trading environment. News is traditionally regarded as a complex trading activity but we believe

that Palmer and Harvey has the scale with which to offer our members a compelling, competitive and efficient service that will help them provide greater choice to their customers and help drive sales growth within their businesses.” Attend Retail has recently had talks with Plus News, and are currently working on ways of assessing the suitability of member outlets to capitalise on this fantastic opportunity. The Plus News offering is not only open to Palmer and Harvey customers but our whole estate if Newspapers and Mags are suitable for your retail operation. You will find enclosed with this magazine a survey for you to complete and return in the envelope provided. This will help Plus News to see what is best for your group. So don’t delay, we encourage you to fill out and return the survey today.

If you have any questions about Plus News please contact Andy Law of Plus News on 07917 587249 or email [email protected]

Friends can compete in world of news & mags

Partner news

NEWinitiative

Don’t forget to complete and return the Plus News survey in the enclosed freepost envelope.

Shop Talk 6

Documents

Transcript of Shop Talk 6