Download the Conference Report. 

The Scottish retail sector employs nearly one quarter of a million people - 10 per cent of the national workforce.

The sector accounts for 11 per cent of the nation's annual turnover - £24 billion. 

And as the first official retail figures for Scotland, published on 10 February, show, retail sales have increased in the last three months of 2009 - hinting at economic recovery. 

If Scotland's economic recovery depends on a strong retail sector then what more can we, as a nation, be doing to support this important sector?

Shopping for Growth is the first national conference to focus exclusively on the future of Scotland's retail sector.

Hosted by Bill Jamieson, Executive Editor of The Scotsman, the summit will bring together senior managers from retailers and suppliers as well as policy makers and academics.

The keynote address will be made by David Mundell, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland.

This is one of the first opportunities to hear from the new government on its priorities for the Scottish economy. Please note the Minister's appearance is subject to parliamentaery committments.

Speakers include Alex Gourlay, one of the UK’s leading retailers. As chief executive of Alliance Boots Health and Beauty division he is in charge of over 3000 retail outlets. He will talk about how the retail sector can prepare for and contribute to national economy recovery. Julian Walker Palin, Head of Sustainability at ASDA will report on what retailers are, and should, be doing to reduce their carbon footprint

Stephen Robertson, the director of the British Retail Consortium will outline why Scotland needs a national policy framework for the sector and Professor Leigh Sparks of The Institute for Retail Studies at the University of Stirling will discuss the need to develop people and skills across retail. 

David Doig, chairperson of DD:One, Dundee’s City Centre Management Group will be joined by the city’s town centre manager Lorna McKenzie to talk about the importance of partnership in successful regeneration through retail. 

Shopping for Growth will:

• Promote the sector as crucial to Scotland's economic recovery
• Set out the importance of a national policy framework for the sector, and start to outline the key elements of such a framework
• Understand the policy and economic environment for the sector.
• Showcase successful retail strategies
• Provide networking opportunities

The conference report will be fed into the relevant government departments and parliamentary committees and will help inform the national understanding of this key sector.

Get Involved

If you are interested in sponsorship and exhibition opportunities at Shopping for Growth please contact us.

Who Should Attend?

Scottish based retailers; Regional Directors; General Managers; Centre Managers; HR Directors; Corporate Communications Departments.

Local Authorities; Business Improvement Districts; Town Centre Management Companies.

Suppliers; Developers; Logistics businesses; Training providers; Qualification bodies; Legal advisors; Business consultants. 

Information & Fees

- Full Rate £89 + VAT

Discounts available for group bookings.

Fees include lunch, refreshments and conference papers.

Key Speaker: Alex Gourlay
Venue: The Scotsman Head Office, Edinburgh (Map Details)
Time: 01 June 2010, at 09:30