19TH OCTOBER 2009 PP 01-12 TO USE:Layout 1 14/10/09 13:38 Page 4
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S N I P P E T S
R U L E S F O R R E TA I L E R S
JOHN LEWIS BOOSTS
NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY LAWS
RECOVERY HOPES
John Lewis, often seen as a sort
WHAT DOES YOUR SHOP NEED TO DO?
of barometer of high street
spending, reported the Postponing the requirement for improvements between 2005 and emissions allowances they will have
beginning of October’s profits businesses to buy carbon emission 2008. to buy. The more energy efficient will
were up more than 6% year-on- allowances by a year will let “It’s good news that the Government be able to sell their unused
year. Whilst no-one’s suggesting retailers keep the equivalent of has recognised that businesses need allowances and will receive bonus
we’re about to rocket out of 11,000 retail salaries, but retailers to hold on to as much working capital payments under the scheme,
recession, this seems a good who do not own their shops may still as possible as we emerge from the increasing incentives to improve
indication that lower mortgage be penalised where landlords take recession. efficiency. Retailers are required to
rates and utility bills are freeing no action to improve energy “Agreeing that Year 1 will be pay up-front. They will receive
up a bit more money for efficiency. reporting only and that allowances money back after six months when
consumers to spend. This is good British Retail Consortium Business only need to be bought from Year 2 all the sums are done but the scheme
news in the run up to Christmas, Environment Director Tom Ironside will halve retailers’ costs in spring will have an impact on cash-flow.
but experts have warned that said: “Retailers deserve praise for 2011 to around £170m. “ The scheme begins on 1 April 2010
spending will still be tight for a driving innovation and achieving The Carbon Reduction Commitment with payments beginning on 1 April
while. 17% energy efficiency will require retailers to trade in the 2011.
CUSTOMER
FA C E S I N T H E T R A D E
CONFIDENCE
TRICKLING BACK
CANON PHOTO DIVISON REUNION
UK retail sales values rose 2.8%
on a like-for-like basis from
MICHAEL BOON SENT US A PHOTO FROM A RECENT MEET UP OF CANON PHOTO DIVISION
September 2008, when sales
MEMBERS PAST AND PRESENT.
had fallen 1.5%, due to turmoil
in financial markets hitting “As you may well know, Canon Photo red wine and a few pints to help
consumer confidence On a total Division was formed in 1982 and lubricate our throats!
basis, sales rose 4.9% against a from that date until the end of 1999 I “After a pleasant few hours catching
1.0% gain in September 2008. was general sales manager for the up it was time to get ready for dinner.
Helen Dickinson, Head of Retail, division,” said Mike. “Since then, Following a pleasant meal (washed
KPMG, said: “The results for various members of the sales team down with more wine of course) we
September and the rest of 2009 have also retired or gone on to carried on until the small hours
need to be considered in the pastures new. Recently we decided to reminiscing about days gone by and
light of last year's performance, have a reunion weekend at a small how many changes there had been
which weakened as the year hotel near Coventry to find out how since Canon U.K. photo division was
progressed. However, the pick- kind the years had been to all of us – first formed in 1982. Quite a few of everyone surfaced in the morning in
up in this month's figures is I think you should look at the photo the people there that day were part good time for breakfast after which it
stronger than expected.” and decide for yourselves! of the team from those early days. was time to go our own ways with the
For electronics, underlying trade “On a glorious late summer day a Also there but not in the photo was promise that we would all meet again
showed some improvement, group of mainly retirees (and their Jane Harvey (now Mcinerney). It was in the not too distant future.”
helped by better housing market partners) met up at about 4p.m. we just 10 years ago that I retired and From left to right are Antony Parvin,
news and consumer confidence. were able to take advantage of the although most of us had kept in touch Fred McInerney, Stephen Hendry,
With shoppers continuing to sunshine and adjourn to the terrace is was good to see that everyone was Tom Bass, Brian Parnell, Chris
search out good deals, much of to sit in the sun and renew old still looking fit and well. Whittle, Mike Boon, Geoff Skolnick,
the growth was promotion-led. friendships. Along the way we “Amazingly enough despite nearly Malcolm Tester, Brian Hall and Stan
managed to consume a few bottles of drinking the bar dry of red wine Groom.
INFLATION AT FIVE
R E TA I L L AW
YEAR LOW
The UK’s inflation rate took an
TOO OLD TO WORK?
in the long term when the pension
unexpected tumble in September age is set to increase from 65 to 68
to a five-year low of 1.1%. between 2024 and 2046.
Experts blamed falling energy There maybe further implications of very probable the DRA will either be “If the DRA is abolished employers
prices for the drop from 1.6% in the Default Retirement Age review, abolished or raised following the run the risk of unfair dismissal and
August. Predictions were for a which was originally scheduled for review. age discrimination claims if they force
rate of 1.3%. The Bank of 2011 but the Government has She explains: “Although the recent employees to retire at 65. Employers
England fears that a downward brought it forward a year because of decision appears to deal a blow to may be tempted to withdraw or
spiral of inflation would prolong economic pressures. Employment those willing and able to work over reduce staff benefits across the
the recession, dent profits and lawyer Melissa Edmond of Furley the age of 65, it’s difficult to see how workplace for fear of additional costs
increase unemployment rates. Page’s employment team thinks it’s the Government can justify this stance of providing for the over 65s.”
04 PIXEL
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