Local retailing is a people business, as all retailers know, and when it comes to running a successful, profitable store, that means having an efficient, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and well-trained team. SLR takes a look at the types of training that are available to independent retailers.
by Émer O’Toole
Licensing training is a complex activity fraught with potential problems. No licensed retailer can afford to lose their licence in today’s market, so staying the right side of the law is both a moral and a commercial must.
The Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) recently launched two new legal hotlines to provide retailers with instant advice on licensing and employment issues. Run in partnership with legal firm, TLT, retailers who are members of the SGF will receive free initial phone consultation, with a discounted rate for additional follow up legal services. Other free benefits include a license health check, legal bulletins, and access to TLT seminars. TLT’s Stephen McGowan, Partner and Head of Licensing, says: “This legal service is now available to SGF members across the country. We are delighted to be on board with SGF to offer commercial and practical advice to their members.”
Pete Cheema, SGF Chief Executive, described trying to grasp the myriad of licensing, employment and other regulations as a “huge concern” for local retailers. He adds: “Partnering with TLT underlines our commitment to offer our members real value on benefits, which are important to them. We know TLT understand and work closely with many retailers across the UK and we look forward to working with them.”
In these challenging economic times, being well organised when it comes to licensing and training can pay off.
BII’s Training Awards
Every year, British Institute of Inkeepers (BII), the licensed retail industry’s professional body, recognises and rewards training excellence through its national training awards.
The NITAs (National Innovation in Training Awards) will take place on November 21st this year at Café de Paris in London.
The awards will recognise excellence in the following categories:
- Training Licensee/Manager of the Year
- Training Professional of the Year
- Training Provider of the Year
- Best Company for Training (under 30 sites)
- Best Company for Training (over 30 sites)
- Best Licensee Development Programme (Tenanted & Leased)
- The Franca Knowles Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mike Clist, the BII’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to re-launch this important event. The whole sector understands the importance of developing staff at every point in their careers.
“We believe that hospitality and licensed retail needs to be regarded as a wonderful potential career for young people and we aim to recognise the best training in the sector.”
SGF members can use these numbers now:
- Licensing: 0333 006 1996
- Employment Law: 0333 006 1995
ACS opposes tobacco licensing scheme
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) recently urged the government to scrap its plans for a tobacco licensing scheme, in favour of more targeted measures to reduce the illicit tobacco trade.
The company called for greater powers for trading standards officers to tackle the problem locally.
The most common actions currently taking against those caught selling illicit tobacco are verbal or written warnings, rather than the fines and banning orders that can be used as penalties, it adds.
ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman, says that tobacco licensing is not “an effective deterrent to the illicit trade and instead serves only to impose financial and administrative burdens on retailers.”
“We are calling for trading standards officers to be given more power to deal with those who supply and sell illicit tobacco at a local level.”
He adds that current sanctioning powers are “too focused on seizures at our borders and do not address the problems that responsible retailers face from unscrupulous competitors.”
The illicit tobacco trade cost the exchequer £2.1bn in 2013/14 alone in lost revenue. For the alcohol market, where a licensing scheme has been in place for several years, the loss to the exchequer through the illicit trade has grown from £830m in 2008/9 to £1.2bn in 2013/14.
