Welcome from the Chairman of the
Scottish Retail Consortium

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to take part in the 2008 Scottish Retail Excellence Awards. These prestigious awards celebrate the professionalism, innovation and creativity within our industry and recognise outstanding performance at all levels and across all sectors throughout Scotland.

Retail sales in Scotland exceeded £21 billion in 2006. The sector employs almost 240,000 people, equating to one in ten of the Scottish workforce and 97% of retailers in Scotland employ less than 50 people. Retail remains the most dynamic sector in the Scottish economy.

At the Scottish Retail Consortium we are committed to working with our members and stakeholders to encourage enterprise and growth in retail as well as supporting ongoing innovation and access to new retailing opportunities for all. As part of that commitment, I am delighted to support the Scottish Daily Record and Scottish Business Insider in the 2008 Scottish Retail Excellence Awards.

This is a great opportunity to celebrate your contribution to retail in Scotland. I hope you will be part of it.

Ken MacKenzie
Chairman, Scottish Retail Consortium
& Chief Officer, The Scottish Co-op