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THE WEEK IN RETAIL ISSUE 35
EDITOR’S COMMENT
THE SLR REWARDS: A CELEBRATION OF THE ENTIRE SECTOR
Friday night saw the first ever running of the SLR Rewards in virtual format. It wasn’t how we wanted to do it – we much prefer the good old fashioned knees-up that we’ve been having for the best part of 20 years. Remember that time when you used to be able to go to industry events, meet actual people, drink draught beer and generally just enjoy the banter about what’s been going in the industry?
Anyway, virtual it had to be and virtual it was. As it turns out, it went pretty well and, judging by the viewing figures – we’re up to well over 700 views now – the format proved pretty popular with a lot of people. I suppose sitting at home in your PJs with a bottle of something in hand has its upsides.
Most of all it was great to just see so many industry colleagues joining in and, while it’s no match for the real thing, it was certainly a pleasant way to begin drawing the curtain on a year that will be remembered long into the future as nothing less than a shocker.
But it also gave us the chance to celebrate not just the winners and shortlisted retailers, but every single member of this absolutely outstanding industry sector. A sector that has owned 2020 – and for all the right reasons. There isn’t a community across Scotland, or across the rest of the UK for that matter, that doesn’t owe a massive debt of gratitude to its local retailers.
When the going got tough, and it absolutely got tougher than it has ever been, the sector that came out fighting, pivoting, innovating, caring, sharing, working every hour and generally just being awesome was the local retailing sector.
To every local retailer reading this, we salute you. And may 2021 see you cement your position as the consumer’s new favourite place to shop.
