Last year, SBF GB&I offered convenience store owners across the nation an incredible opportunity to win a cash prize and enjoy an all-expenses-paid break away from their business. To support them during their time off, an experienced guest retailer was provided to help manage their shop.
The initial winners of the Win The Weekend competition, Tracy Raybould and Michael Saunders of Greens of Bassingham in Lincolnshire, were able to take a well-deserved two-day luxury spa break. With the assistance of an award-winning retailer partnered with SBF GB&I, their store was expertly looked after, allowing them to relax and unwind, confident that their business was in capable hands.
In order to ensure that the benefits of Win the Weekend extend beyond just those two days, SBF GB&I has collaborated with other leading retailers to create a comprehensive guide. This guide is designed to help all retailers learn from their peers and establish processes that enable them to take time away from their business. You can download the guide here.
Win the Weekend was launched as a result of SBF GB&I’s in-depth research, which revealed that 78% of retailers prioritize the health of their business over their own physical or mental well-being. Astonishingly, more than half of all retailers (55%) wouldn’t even entrust their store to an experienced staff member to facilitate time off.
For the successful execution of the initiative, SBF GB&I enlisted the support of Paul Cheema, owner and director of Malcolm’s Stores in Coventry and Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) chief executive. Cheema generously offered his time and expertise to help manage Raybould and Saunders’ store, enabling the owners to indulge in a much-needed break.
Expressing enthusiasm for the project, Cheema said, “When SBF GB&I introduced this incredible idea, I recognized the need to get involved. Many retailers spend 12 to 16 hours a day, seven days a week in their stores. They hardly have time for their families, let alone a break of their own.”
In the second installment of Win The Weekend, SBF GB&I aims to expand the scheme further, granting two retailers a two-day rejuvenating spa experience. Additionally, these winners will receive assistance to cover their absence in-store via SBF GB&I’s network of experienced retailers and in-house experts.
To support and promote awareness of this critical issue, Andrew Pheasant, Head of Key Accounts at SBF GB&I, explained, “We initiated Win the Weekend because our research revealed that numerous retailers struggle to take time away from their business. Although not everyone can win this competition, we hope that the knowledge we offer will encourage retailers to pause and prioritize their own well-being.”
To participate and stand a chance of winning, simply send an email to SBFTrade@hanovercomms.com with the subject line ‘WIN THE WEEKEND 2’, including your name, store name and address, and a contact phone number. Entries close at 5.00pm on 29 September 2023, and terms and conditions apply.