Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Local champ takes helm as new SGF President

Local champ takes helm as new SGF President

The Scottish Grocers Federation has announced the appointment of independent retailer, Graham Watson BEM, as the President of the trade association’s National Executive board.

Former submariner, Graham Watson BEM, took on Moniaive’s village shop, Watson’s Licenced Grocers, nearly two decades ago and is ready to make waves.


Well known across the Scottish convenience retail sector, Graham is a Community Retailer of the Year recipient and a stalwart for his community in Dumfries & Galloway.

Regularly taking part in charity drives, such as his recent 5,000 push-ups to raise funds for MND research and awareness, Graham was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the community through the Covid-19 pandemic.

“For many convenience retailers, running a local grocery store is in their blood," said Graham. "Not only do they provide essential local services for local people, but they are also at the very heart of the community they serve.

“So, I’m delighted to be taking up my new role as President of SGF and I want to thank the Board and especially Pete for all his encouragement. Just like running a local shop, SGF is a team effort and I’m very much looking forward to working more closely with Pete, our excellent National Executive, and everyone here at SGF.”

Dr Pete Cheema OBE, SGF Chief Exec, added: “Graham is a wonderful example of everything our sector represents for communities across Scotland, and we could not ask for a better President going into the next two years.

“As well as being a standup gentleman, a family man, a champion for his community, and recently a legal celebrant, Graham lives and breathes convenience retail. The past few years has been a difficult time for many retailers, with more challenges on the horizon, and having Graham on board will be a huge boon for the trade.

“I also want to thank some key people, Craig Brown our outgoing President for his unfaltering and distinguished service since 2022, and Andy Kenney our incoming VP.”

The official ceremony and swearing in took place at the SGF Annual Conference 2024. Replacing Graham in his previous role as SGF Vice President, is Andy Kenney, UK Central Operations Director, BP Oil UK Limited.

More for you

PayPoint

PayPoint unveils new partnership with Leeds Credit Union

PayPoint has announced a new partnership with Leeds Credit Union (‘LCU’), a financial cooperative with 37,000 members, enabling them access to its CashOut service, effective immediately.

The partnership will mean that LCU customers can access their cash and savings across any of PayPoint’s UK network of 29,000 retailer partners. This represents an unprecedented growth in accessibility and the first partnership of its kind for LCU. Historically customers have needed to visit one of LCU’s four branches to withdraw money.

Keep ReadingShow less
Philip Morris to close German factories as cigarette demand declines
A Philip Morris logo is pictured on a factory in Serrieres near Neuchatel, Switzerland December 8, 2017. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

Philip Morris Shutting Down German Factories Due to Declining Cigarette Demand

Marlboro-maker Philip Morris said Tuesday it planned to close down its two production sites in Germany, citing falling demand for cigarettes among Europeans.

"In recent years, demand for cigarettes in Europe has fallen significantly," the company said in a statement, adding that it saw the same trend for roll-your-own tobacco.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nisa retailer Prem Uthayakumaran donates thousands to support local communities

Nisa retailer Prem Uthayakumaran donates thousands to support local communities

Nisa retailer Prem Uthayakumaran has made significant donations totalling £3,500 to two local community organisations through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity.

The funds will provide essential support to groups within the communities that his stores serve, helping them continue their invaluable work.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vape ban announcement sparks industry concerns over public health and black-market risks
A selection of disposable vapes with bright and colourful packaging are seen in a convenience store, on January 29, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Vape ban announcement sparks industry concerns over public health and black-market risks

The decision to ban disposable vapes by June 2025 has sparked strong reactions across the vaping and retail sectors, with key industry figures voicing concerns about the impact on public health and called for a balanced approach to support smokers switching to vaping as a safer alternative.

A spokesperson of Elfbar, the leading disposable vape brand, highlighted the role of the product in smoking cessation, citing that “nearly three million people in Britain have quit smoking using vapes in the last five years,” with single-use vapes comprising over 60 per cent of the UK market.

Keep ReadingShow less
High streets pay over 'one third of UK's business rates'
(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

High streets pay over 'one third of UK's business rates'

High streets in the UK are collectively pay one third of all business rates while accounting for 9 per cent of the economy, British Retail Consortium (BRC) stated on Thursday (24), strengthening its call for a fairer level of business rates for hospitality and retail.

BRC and UKHospitalityare united in their call for the Chancellor to implement a fairer level of business rates for hospitality and retail at the Budget, which will rebalance a system that unfairly punishes our high streets and town centres. This was a manifesto pledge from Labour ahead of the election.

Keep ReadingShow less