Retail Sector Council faces up to major challenges

The UK's first industry-led Retail Sector Council has been officially launched by Retail Minister Andrew Griffiths and Richard Pennycook, Chairman of Fenwick, The Hut Group and Howden Joinery Group. The two will take on the role of Co-Chair.

The Council will meet regularly with industry to discuss the challenges the sector faces. It will review how best retailers could adapt to changing consumer behaviour, the business environment and opportunities such as the development of new technologies to improve customer service, the chances to grow skills through a sector push on high-value training and ways to boost sector productivity and its economic health.

Pennycook says: “I am delighted to be co-chairing the first Retail Sector Council, which comes at a moment of unprecedented change for our sector. Retail is one of the largest private sector employers in the country, and the Council will provide strategic oversight of the challenges we are facing by seeking positive change and increased productivity. We will be working together with industry and government to deliver our vision for the future of retail.”

The other Council members as follows:

·        Doug Gurr, UK Country Manager, Amazon

·        Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chairman, John Lewis Partnership

·        Elizabeth Fagan, Senior Vice President, Managing Director Boots UK & ROI

·        Nick Beighton, CEO, Asos

·        Ursula Lidbetter, CEO, Lincolnshire Cooperative

·        John Hannett, General Secretary, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers

·        Diane Savory, Chair, GFirst LEP

·        Victoria Robertshaw, CEO, Keelham Farm Shop

·        Helen Dickinson, CEO, British Retail Consortium

·        James Lowman, CEO, Association of Convenience Stores