Jan
26
Growth is good for the NFRN
2010 | Filed under This Months Features | (0) 
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The year just gone has been busy for the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, reports Brendan Conway, and 2010 looks set to continue in the same vein.
With independent newsagents operating in a marketplace that becomes ever more challenging and less predictable as each day passes, it’s not surprising that the past 12 months have been some of the busiest on record for the National Federation of Retail Newsagents in Northern Ireland.
Through our field team, which comprises operations manager Margaret McCloskey, retail development manager Jackie Fox and meetings co-ordinator, Leo Mullen we have continued to provide all the practical, on-the-ground support and help that our members require to develop their businesses, and with 670 members, our staff were certainly kept busy making more than 1000 shop visits and a further 70 recruitment calls. But their efforts have paid off and we have been delighted to welcome 45 new members into the fold in the last year.
Margaret and her team are always on hand to help resolve any problems or queries that members may have, ably assisted by the Northern Ireland district council executives and, of course, the NFRN’s own helpline.
It has also proved to be a busy year for members of our new Accreditation Scheme which is currently being piloted in Northern Ireland.
Since its launch at the beginning of last year, 36 members have been participating in monthly product promotions through delivered wholesaler Palmer & Harvey as well as taking part in specially negotiated exclusive promotions with publications such as the Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Ulster Tatler, Auto Trader and Tractor.
Among the most successful of these initiatives has been a free seeds promotion with the Daily Mirror with the accreditation scheme symbol receiving prominent positioning on the front page of the Mirror while a whole page inside the paper featured the NFRN and listed, with name and address, participating member stores.
Meanwhile, the most recent promotion with Auto Trader saw exclusive free gifts given away with three issues of the magazine and copy sales increasing by 13 per cent, 23 per cent and 17 per cent respectively for the three issues promoted. I’m extremely happy with such excellent uplifts in sales and would like to thank everyone – members, suppliers and publishers – for their hard work and support.
But not only have Accreditation retailers reported strong sales, we have had approaches from members and non-members interested in joining the scheme and the NFRN as a result.
PRIORITY
We operate in a world where trade issues and legislation can and do have an enormous impact on our businesses, so lobbying at trade and government level has been and will continue to be a major priority.
With ever-increasing red tape and employment legislation, the legal and parliamentary team has cranked up its activities, meeting key representatives from all the main political parties to tell them face-to-face about all the issues affecting independent newsagents and convenience store operators. Concerns were raised about energy prices, water rates, the tax on plastic carrier bags, the introduction of ID cards, the tobacco display ban and the increase in sales of smuggled tobacco. We also raised concerns on crime and the personal safety of members and their staff and asked for their support.
Such contact is crucial as it can have an impact on policy as well as raising the profile of the NFRN among those who have the power to help or hinder our businesses. And in this current economic climate, we’re experiencing some of our toughest challenges yet.
It’s been heartening to hear these people confirm their support for our sector and promise to keep the concerns of the NFRN at the forefront of their minds. Hopefully we shall see this come to fruition with the small business rates relief passing through the assembly in coming months and in place before April 2010.
However, our work will not end there – we shall continue to build on these constructive relationships and will continue to lobby on the issues of concern to us.
CHANGEOVER
On the news and magazines front, we have continued to meet with our main wholesalers on a regular basis during 2009, with the particular aim of ensuring a smooth changeover from WNS to Newspread. Regular dialogue and meetings took place with senior wholesale management to ensure retailers understood the new system for return dockets and credits. Thankfully, our hard work paid off and we reached a satisfactory solution.
We also meet regularly with EM News to ensure that any problems that our members experience are addressed and have on going discussions with Independent News Media, publishers of the Belfast Telegraph, in our bid to drive HND sales for our members.
So all in all, it really has been a busy 12 months and I believe that 2010 will continue to be a challenge for our members. However, with our excellent executive, field staff, council members and Helpline employees, I am confident that we can help you meet these challenges and not just survive but thrive. Remember, the NFRN is your trade association – we represent you every day, 365 days of the year so make sure you use us.
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