Big sales fightback launched by stores
A retail fightback against the trading recession will kick off this weekend, spearheaded by former Lord Mayor of Birmingham Sir Bernard Zissman.
A retail fightback against the trading recession will kick off this weekend, spearheaded by former Lord Mayor of Birmingham Sir Bernard Zissman.
Retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers will gather in Staffordshire on Sunday to launch the UK programme of 'Global Clearance Sales'. The opening sales are being held at the NEC Birmingham on Sunday, September 26, followed by ExCel in London on Sunday, October 10. The concept was initially developed UK-wide in the 1980s.
Then, a highly successful series of sales around the UK was organised by Managing director Peter Sherratt.
Mr Sherratt said: "The time is now right to bring back this successful model. The recession has hit retailers hard, and finding customers is now a real challenge for even the biggest businesses.
"We want to help retailers survive this financial crisis by bringing them a high volume of customers over a one-day event, all looking to buy well-priced goods."
Chairman of the company is West Midlands politician Sir Bernard Zissman, who was elected Lord Mayor of Birmingham in 1990, and following that, leader of the city council Conservative group.
He led the team that developed the International Convention Centre and the world-acclaimed Symphony Hall, and more recently helped put the foundation blocks in place for the region's millennium project, Millenium Point in Birmingham. Sir Bernard said: "The stock clearances of the 1980s attracted huge crowds looking for a bargain and helped struggling retailers to clear stock, improve cash flow and attract loyal customers who would not normally visit their shops.
"Thirty years on, retailers are finding themselves in one of the deepest recessions in history. However, customers are still spending and Global Clearance Sales give a special opportunity to all traders, especially smaller businesses, to come together under one roof and compete against all the major High Street names."
The launch event this weekend will be a garden party at Hilton Hall in Staffordshire, where guests will be entertained by Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers.
A second event the following Sunday, August 15, will also be held at Hilton Hall, when singer-impressionist Joe Longthorne will perform.
At each of the events businesses will be able to sign up for space at the first event at the NEC.
For details, send an email to taratomes @gmail.com