Back in May, ERT was invited to Sirius Buying Group’s 10th International Conference in Gibraltar, where retailers and brands came together to do business and encourage future growth. Jack Cheeseman reports.
Back in May, I was lucky enough to attend the Sirius Buying Group 10th International Conference, which took place aboard the incredible Sunborn Gibraltar – the world’s first five-star super-yacht hotel and casino.
The three-day event was a coming together of the Group’s retailer members and approved suppliers and a chance to catch up after such turbulent times for the industry. In fact, this Gibraltar trip was originally planned for 2020 and was postponed… for obvious reasons.
Following a keynote speech from Sirius Managing Director, Steve Jones (right), to kickstart proceedings, the Conference was underway and once again focused on the latest industry trends and product innovations from the Group’s suppliers, as well as outlining how to use a growth mindset to empower business and pivot in line with the changing face of retail.
Over the course of the trip, members were treated to a range of supplier presentations and one-to-one meetings – the perfect opportunity to discuss the finer details and forge new business deals.
Also, in a change from previous years, Sirius also held its Annual Gala Awards Dinner at the Sunborn on the final night of the Conference. It really was a great evening with so many reasons to celebrate – especially the winners of the awards! All the winners are listed opposite.
Not only this, but there was a huge amount of generosity shown with the charity auction. Donations from attendees on the night helped the Group raise £12,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee, which goes towards humanitarian aid to help the current crisis in Ukraine.
“Thank you for helping us raise money towards this worthwhile cause,” Steve Jones said on the night. “I like to think that being generous with our time, money, knowledge and skills is a vehicle for us to keep showing up and raising our standards as leaders in our businesses and our industries to serve our communities going forwards.”
Networking time
One of the main things I witnessed during the Conference was the amount of networking time that all attendees had, whether it was a scheduled face-to-face meeting, a discussion over lunch or simply a chance encounter during the break-out sessions. It is usually the case that new ideas can be shared and business deals can be done much more proactively in person, and the Sirius Conference was a clear example of that.
Many of the retailers and suppliers that I spoke to reflected on some very positive conversations during the trip and they all said they were going away with some interesting plans and ideas for the future. And in the current retail climate, I think this is so important.
It has been a very busy year for everyone in this industry, so providing people with the opportunity to take time away from their daily routine to make plans for future growth is crucial. And that’s what the Sirius Conference is all about.
The team created a safe and positive environment where suppliers and members can forge new relationships, as well as strengthen existing ones, all in a supportive and relaxed atmosphere.
I saw many people meeting for the first time – some retailers were new to the Buying Group and were taking advice from existing members (some of whom attend the Conference year after year and are well-practiced in the format!). I could see they were soaking it all in like a sponge – swapping stories about their businesses and sharing tips for success.
A unique venue
And what a setting to conduct business! Moored in Gibraltar’s exclusive Ocean Village Marina, the seven-deck static Sunborn super yacht overlooks the lively harbour with great views of the famous Gibraltar Rock! And the Sirius team made excellent use of both the indoor and outdoor space around the ship so the event was comfortable and chilled.
General Manager of the Group, Mark Veysey, told me: “We wanted this unique venue to reflect the nature of our sector as we gathered our approved members and suppliers for our first Conference in three years.”
He said: “It is so important to acknowledge the remarkable ways our people work together to deliver the absolute best to the end user, and I have every confidence that the lessons we have learned this year have created new business opportunities as suppliers continue to develop the best products and services on the market.”
When I caught up with Steve Jones, he said that independent retailers need to show how their products and services can add value to the consumer’s home, and they need to be increasingly agile to better serve their customers.
“We believe that our events like this put the independent retailer in a far stronger position to plan and safeguard their business,” he said, “by learning from other members, holding constructive conversations and exploring new opportunities for growth, such as diversifying into areas like kitchen design.”
The next event for Sirius Buying Group this year is the annual Trade Show at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club, Birmingham on 21 September 2022.
And the award goes to…
On the last night of the Conference, Sirius held its Annual Gala Awards Dinner – a platform for the Group’s members and approved suppliers to be recognised amongst their peers.
“We are very proud of the domino effect that comes from having so many market-leading brands which encourage and inspire us all,” said Mr Jones, opening the event. “The decision process is always a difficult one as there are so many great initiatives and projects happening, but we feel that we are really showcasing the best of the best across seven major categories in the electrical retail sector.”
And the winners for 2022 are…
Large Manufacturer of the Year. Winner: Whirlpool. Highly Commended: BSH
Medium Manufacturer of the Year. Winner: Caple. Highly Commended: Liebherr
Distributor of the Year. Winner: D.A.D. Highly Commended: Swift
SDA Supplier of the Year. Winner: RKW. Highly Commended: Connect Distribution
Large Retailer of the Year. Winner: Hughes. Highly Commended: Crampton & Moore
Medium Retailer of the Year. Winner: Hosies. Highly Commended: Hornsey Appliances
Representative of the Year. Ian Heaven, from D.A.D.
