Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Business essentials for Consumer co-operatives at National Retail Consumer Conference 2011

by Ethos public relations

Consumer co-operatives are performing well in the retail market, and an impressive line up of key co-operative speakers will be highlighting the business essentials for all those involved in the consumer co-operative sector at the 2011 National Retail Consumer Conference (NRCC) in February.

The well-established NRCC forum will be held again at the Holiday Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon, between the 25th and 27th February 2011, and features an exciting programme of keynote speakers and networking opportunities.

The 2011 NRCC, entitled, ‘How to get ahead in co-operative retail: the business essentials for consumer co-operatives’, is a must-attend event for members that own co-operatives through to the managers that run them, to enable them to understand the issues affecting the retail sector and how consumer co operatives can address them and benefit from the co-operative way of doing business.

Keynote speakers include Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive of the Co operative Group and Director-General of the International Co operative Alliance, Charles Gould.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “The NRCC is a key event in the co-operative calendar and with the impressive 2011 programme of speakers and networking opportunities, the event promises to continue the success of previous years.”

Peter Marks will look at how things have progressed since his calls in 2006 for one national consumer society, and Charles Gould will examine what the UN International Year of Co-operatives in 2012 will mean to the UK Co-operative Movement and in particular, the opportunities that it brings to strengthen the co-operative brand and image, both in the UK and globally.

Other key speakers include author of ‘Spedan’s Partnership’ (2009) and former Systems Director of Waitrose, Peter Cox, who will provide an insight into the history of the John Lewis Partnership and Mark Bradley, acclaimed author of ‘Inconvenience Stores’ (2005) and commentator on customer services, from retail stores to football clubs, who will demonstrate how using the real customer service experience can be a catalyst for change and improvement.

Ed Mayo, will set out the risks and opportunities for co-operatives in the current political and economic climate and discuss key developments for public sector mutuals and the Post Office.

“The 2011 NRCC boasts one of the best line ups since the Retail Conference started,” Ed Mayo said, “and at a popular venue chosen by our retail society members.

“We are grateful for the input we have had in shaping the programme from those involved in sectional councils across the country.”

Full programme details and booking information can be found by visiting www.tcp-events.co.uk/coop-nrcc and if you book your place early, before the end of the year, you can enjoy the lower VAT rate of 17.5%.

Posted at 10^th December 2010