retra conference


The Challenge of Change


Retra held its 69th Industry Conference at the Double Tree by Hilton Coventry; Simon King reports from the event, which also celebrated the trade association’s 80th anniversary


I


n its first conference in three years, Retra presented a packed programme, which


proved very popular with delegates that had travelled to the event from across the UK. The theme of the Conference was The Challenge of Change. In his opening address, Retra chief executive


Howard Saycell, highlighted how members had managed their businesses through the pandemic. “I think we did really pretty well,” Mr Saycell


said. “It threw up all sorts of challenges, not least the fact that some of our shops were closed for quite long periods – I was furious that we weren’t classed as essential retailers. “We lobbied hard, because we believed very


strongly that in a pandemic, or in any scenario, a family without a working washing machine or a working cooker is just not acceptable.” Mr Saycell said that Retra appealed against the decision to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and was supported by the British Retail Consortium. “We were rejected, we were still classed as


non-essential,” Mr Saycell said. “Just to rub salt into the wound, at the same review, off licences were classed as essential.” He said that Retra took the view that it needed to work together as an industry and the association worked with the two large buying groups Euronics and Sirius. Mr Saycell said: “I think our members managed to pivot their businesses very well. I think they


14 | www.ierdaily.co.uk


were in a position that they could very quickly move to click and collect and they could very quickly move the emphasis away from in-store to online, to take advantage of that.” Turning to some of the main challenges


affecting the sector, Mr Saycell said: “Retail is going to get a lot of focus in the Green Sustainability Programme, because if you look through the supply chain, start to finish, retail accounts for some 30% of carbon emissions in the UK. “I know that this might seem a long way off, the


target is 2050 for the nation, but the actual target for retailers is 2040, with milestones along the way, in 2030, 2035 and 2040. “The message I want to get across to you is


don’t do nothing. Don’t sit back and think, it’s years away. Come up with at least a plan – look at your buildings, look at insulation or look at your vehicles.” Mr Saycell also touched on the issue of diversity and inclusion. “If you look around the room at the Conference,


Euronics chief executive “disappointed’ in brands selling direct


Paul Tyler chief executive of Euronics, told delegates that he is “disappointed” in manufacturers that choose to sell direct to consumers. Mr Tyler was previously BSH’s retail channel director, and left BSH in December 2021. “I am still disappointed,” he said. “It’s the journey it has decided to make. I have


taken more phone calls from members in recent weeks on this topic than on any other. “Our members have grown these brands over the years. Manufacturers develop awesome


products and what our members are great at is taking those products and helping customers filter down the ones that are right for them. They take the consumer on a journey. For me, I am not sure how many consumers would choose to buy from manufacturers.” The Conference also included a retail panel discussion consists of Martin Jukes, head of retail at


Avensys in Crawley; Paul Mead, managing director of Michael R Peters in Bedford; and Paul Giles, managing director of Snellings in Norwich. The panel expressed its views on the threat of direct selling and shared a consensus that


“manufacturers should manufacture and retailers should retail”. Mr Giles said: “We are being used as the showroom for their online; that’s where I think we need to draw the line.”


July 2022


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