Andrew Griffiths (pictured above), the new Minister for Retail, chose Retail Week Live on March 7 to announce the UK’s first Retail Sector Council. Members include Richard Pennycook, chairman of Fenwick, The Hut Group and Howden Joinery Group. Senior management from Boots, Amazon and other major retailers will also sit on the Council along with the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
“The UK’s retail sector is undergoing rapid structural changes with consumers increasingly favouring online shopping and rising operating costs for retailers,” stated Andrew Griffiths. “Our new collaborative Retail Sector Council will bring government and industry together to look at how best to ensure the industry adapts to meet the changing demands of consumers.”
In 2016, the retail sector added a gross value of £94.6 billion to the UK economy.
Among the independent retailer speakers at Retail Week Live was Oliver Tress, founder and MD of homewares and fashion multiple Oliver Bonas. One of a panel that also included Kevin Keaney, ceo of The Works, Colin Temple, MD, Schuh, Kevin Walker, senior director of Indeed and Carin Hammer-Blakebrough, country HR manager at Ikea, he said that Oliver Bonas’ success as a retail employer continues to be that the company has a clear philosophy when it comes to recruiting, so that people joining the company really understand what it’s about. “You have to have a workforce who share your values and passion,” stated Oliver.
The independent multiple retailer currently has 70 stores in the UK, with a further 10 in the pipeline for 2018, and employs just under 1000 staff.
