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THE WEEK IN RETAIL ISSUE 19
EDITOR’S COMMENT
A BOLD DECISION, BUT DAN’S THE MAN
It’s a rare pleasure to be able to reveal today that Musselburgh retailer Dan Brown has literally just been appointed as the new President of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation. Ordinarily the ceremonial handover of the Presidential bling takes place at the annual SGF Conference but, thanks to Covid-19, this year’s handover took place during a virtual meeting of the SGF National Executive earlier today.
Dan’s appointment merits a little special mention in the annals of the SGF’s 102-year history as, aged just 28, Dan is actually the youngest ever President of the Federation. Somewhat ironically, the man who previously laid claim to the title of ‘youngest ever President’ was none other than a certain David Sands, a man that Dan has worked either for or with for much of his adult life.
Appointing the youngest ever President slap bang in the middle of the worst pandemic anyone has ever seen may seem like a bold decision, but anyone that knows Dan will know that the SGF couldn’t have found a better man for the task. He may be relatively young in years but he more than makes up for that in experience (he’s been working in retail since he was 11), passion, commitment and energy. I know from personal experience that Dan is no stranger to a 20-hour shift, a kip in the back office and a hands-on approach to dealing with shoplifters being abusive to his team.
But what’s most impressive about Dan’s approach to retail – to me at least – is more about how he studies the industry. He takes a very academic approach to retail, no doubt inspired in part by having completed a degree in Retail Marketing. Under the long-term tutelage of his study tour-loving father, industry veteran Stephen Brown, Dan has long understood the value of making time to see what other retailers are up to, whether that’s along the road or on the other side of the planet, armed with a notepad and a camera.
A true student of retail, Dan has so much to offer the SGF and its members and he has a remarkably replete skillset, despite his youth. He also happens to be a great guy who is universally respected and liked by retailers in Scotland and across the UK. He has a tough couple of years ahead of him with the SNAFU world we’re currently living in but, for me, the SGF have found the perfect man for the job.
