NEW FORUM FOR RETAILERS

C-TALK

WELL-KNOWN RETAILER PAUL CHEEMA HAS LAUNCHED A ‘BY RETAILERS, FOR RETAILERS’ FORUM CALLED C-TALK.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

A new forum ‘by retailers, for retailers’ to facilitate discussions around all aspects of the convenience sector.

WHO’S DOING IT?

High profile Nisa retailer Paul Cheema, co-owner of Malcolm’s Stores. Cheema recently appointed Kate Harding – a Cadbury, PepsiCo and My Local veteran – as editor and GM.

Kate Harding

HOW DOES IT WORK?

C-talk has both a website – www.c-talk. co.uk – and app that allows retailers to find out the latest news and views, as well as acting as a platform for retailerto-retailer discussions on any related topic. The service aims to connect retailers, brands and key stakeholders in the convenience industry.

HOW MANY RETAILERS USE IT?

Over 1,300 affiliated and unaffiliated independent retailers, says the business.

DOES THE APPOINTMENT OF AN EDITOR SIGNAL GROWTH PLANS?

Yes. Cheema said he was inspired to hire Harding after joining a Zoom call she hosted for those in the retail industry during lockdown. He says: “After the tragic loss of our retailer friend Raj Aggarwal to Covid-19, Kate just wanted to check in on industry friends, find reasons to smile again and keep connected. She wasn’t paid to, she simply did it because she cares about our industry and the people in it. If you combine her obvious passion for the trade with previous retail and media experience, she is a natural fit for us.”

AND WHAT DOES HARDING THINK?

“Some in the trade know my love of independent retail dates back to before I could talk because I grew up in Harding’s Newsagents run by my parents. But not many will know I wanted to become a journalist. From the age of 15 I spent every spare hour I could doing work experience for BBC television news and documentary programmes. Not only is getting to work for Paul Cheema a real honour but I found the opportunity to combine my backgrounds in both retail and media together absolutely irresistible.”

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

Visit www.c-talk.co.uk, email kate@ctalk.co.uk or download the app.