SGF RETAIL EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2013

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Published on Friday, 12 April 2013 10:01

It has often been asked why we at SGF, as the voice of the convenience retailing industry in Scotland, have never rewarded industry-leading retailers from within our sector, when other organisations have.  After all, who better to judge these stores or retailers, than their peers; individuals and companies who work tirelessly to ensure that our marketplace continues to grow in today’s tough climate.

The SGF National Executive have therefore agreed that the time is now right to embrace this challenge and are delighted to announce our inaugural Retail Excellence Awards, which will be presented at the prestigious 5 star Prestonfield House, Edinburgh on Thursday 10^th October as part of our annual conference. 

There are so many ways in which our retailers and stores excel, which has given SGF the very difficult task of agreeing which awards should be offered, however we are confident that the following awards, which are up for grabs, will be highly sought after:

• SGF Healthy Living Store of the Year
• SGF Healthier Option Retailer of the Year
• SGF Responsible Retailer of the Year
• SGF Environmentally Aware Retailer of the Year
• SGF Award for Business Innovation
• SGF Store Manager of the Year
• SGF Supplier of the Year
• SGF Store of the Year

In line with any normal selection process, all entries will be assessed by our panel of independent judges, and then narrowed down to a short-list before being visited by our panel. The winner will then be announced during the Awards Luncheon.  Those who make it to the final 4 will be invited to attend the Awards Luncheon, as well as the annual conference, which will also be held on 10^th October, as a guest of SGF. 

If you would like further information on nominating a particular store, please call 0131 343 3300 or download the how to enter leaflet at the end of this page. The closing date for applications is Friday 14^th June, so make sure you return your entry as soon as possible.  All terms and conditions can be found on the how to enter leaflet.

Entry is permitted to SGF members only, however I’m sure you’ll agree that there are many excellent stores within our membership, so make sure you enter now for your chance to go down in history as one of our first winners!

John Drummond

Chief Executive 

Retail Excellence Awards How To Enter.pdf

SGF Response to Further Options on Alcohol

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Published on Friday, 22 March 2013 08:58

Further Options on Alcohol SGF Response.pdf

SGF Reaction to the Budget 2013

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Published on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 16:02

The Scottish Grocer’s Federation has warmly welcomed action in the budget to reduce the cost of National Insurance and to ensure faster payment on card transactions – two measures which could make a real difference to Convenience Store retailers.

The new ‘Employment Allowance’ for National Insurance is aimed at reducing employer NI contributions, particularly for small businesses. It is planned that the allowance will be introduced from 2014. On average, employers with fewer than 10 employees over the course of the year will see their employer NICs bill reduced by 80 per cent.

The UK Government has secured a commitment from the payment card industry to reduce the time it takes for credit and debit card payments to reach a shops bank account by up to three days, by using the Faster Payments System to process payments.

Chief Executive John Drummond said,

“We are delighted to see at last two measures which will genuinely help Convenience Store retailers. The allowance on National Insurance will make it easier for stores to take on new employees, while faster card payment system will make a big difference to cash flow for our members, keeping more stores open and able to invest in their business and their community.  The Convenience Store sector asks very little from Government so it is refreshing to see two measures which will help the business environment.”

Horsemeat Further Recall Of Products

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Published on Monday, 25 February 2013 16:25

Birds Eye has announced that one of its products sold in Belgium, Chilli Con Carne, produced by Frigilunch N.V., has tested positive for horse DNA and has been immediately withdrawn from sale.

As a precautionary measure in the UK, Birds Eye has withdrawn all other beef products from the same supplier. They have stressed, however, that no products from this supplier have tested positive in the UK. Withdrawn products will not be replaced on supermarket shelves until investigations are fully complete. The following products are being withdrawn in the UK and Ireland:

• Traditional Spaghetti Bolognese 340g

• Shepherd's Pie 400g

• Beef Lasagne 400g

Retailers are requested to contact the Birds Eye Careline on 0800 917 5410 for further information and a full refund.

Scotland

Scotland's councils have been ordered not to use any frozen beef products, and asked to attend an urgent 'school meals sourcing summit' by Ministers amid the escalating horsemeat crisis. The discovery of horse DNA in a burger at Cumbernauld High School led to councils being advised not to use any frozen beef, including mince, until further investigations are carried out.

The warning was issued by Scotland Excel, the procurement agency that serves local government. It applies to local authority schools, council leisure facilities and some social care establishments. The ban was imposed as further evidence of horsemeat contamination came to light. Catering firm Sodexo, which supplies 2,300 UK outlets, withdrew all frozen beef after a product tested positive for horse DNA

EU

Ikea has withdrawn meatballs for sale in much of Europe after Czech inspectors found traces of horsemeat in a batch manufactured in Sweden. The discovery comes as European Union agriculture ministers meet in Brussels for talks widely expected to focus on the growing horsemeat scandal.

Update Horsemeat in Food Products

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Published on Friday, 15 February 2013 14:02

In Scotland, the Minister for Public Health, has written to the Scottish Parliament Health Committee to outline the Scottish Government’s response to the horsemeat crisis:

• At present there has been no horse DNA found in products manufactured in Scotland.

• At the request of Scottish Ministers, the Food Standards Agency in Scotland (FSAS) has initiated a programme of inspections at every approved processed meat establishment in Scotland, the vast majority of these will have been carried out by February 22nd.

• In addition a UK- wide meat authenticity survey including samples from Scottish businesses has been initiated.

 Meanwhile, UK retailers have rejected government criticism they "remained silent" over the horsemeat crisis - as they begin to release test results on beef products. In a public letter, 11 firms, including Tesco and Asda, said they shared shoppers' "anger and outrage". They said they were "working around the clock" to resolve the matter.

Downing Street had criticised the apparent reluctance of supermarkets involved in selling affected products to comment publicly on the horsemeat crisis. Number 10 said it was pleased retailers had finally spoken out in public.

The results of up to one third of tests on the presence of horsemeat in processed meals ordered by the Food Standards Agency are to be released today. The Co-Operative Group said 59 of its 102 own-brand minced beef products have been tested so far, with all found to be clear of horsemeat.

The British Retail Consortium's Helen Dickinson told BBC Radio 4 that retailers had been focusing on the swift testing of products. She added that lessons must be learned by "all parts of the food industry" in the UK and Europe. Some shops have already recalled products found to be adulterated, including Asda, which withdrew a beef Bolognese sauce on Thursday - the first fresh beef product to be involved. Aldi, Tesco and Findus have also withdrawn some beef-based ready meals.

SGF will continue to monitor this situation closely, liaise with its members and keep them informed as the key issues develop.