British Retail Consortium

The British Retail Consortium " for safe responsible retailing" is the "lead trade association representing the whole range of retailers, from the large multiples and department stores through to independents, selling a wide selection of products through centre of town, out of town, rural and virtual stores."

Their vision is "To work with our members to create a vibrant and sustainable retail industry for the future."

Their mission statement is "To make life easier for our members by: - Campaigning to promote and defend retailers' interests - Advising retailers of threats and opportunities to their business - Improving the perceptions of retailing in the UK - Offering members a range of services and products which add value to their business"

The Consortium has three main divisions; London, Scotland and Brussels.

Contact Details

Link titleBritish Retail Consortium 2nd Floor 21 Dartmouth St London SW1H 9BP

Tel 020 7854 8900 Fax 020 7854 8901

http://www.brc.org.uk

Board of Directors

They have eight directors on their Board of Directors

Link titleDr Kevin Hawkins, OBE, Director General- 020 7854 8911. Kevin Hawkins was appointed to as Director General in March 2004. This followed nearly 9 years as Communications Director of Safeway Stores plc. He is a member of the Meat and Livestock Commission, the DTI's Retail Policy Forum, Defra's Food Industry Better Regulation Forum and served a four-year term on the Cabinet Office's Better Regulation Task Force. He is also a member of the Scottish Food and Health Council, the food industry Better Regulation forum, the food industry Sustainable Strategy Group and the Retail Policy Forum. He was awarded an OBE in 2004 for his services to the food industry.

Link titleFiona Moriarty, Director Scottish Retail Consortium - 0870 609 3631.

Link titleAlisdair Grey, BRC in Brussels - 020 7854 8975. He joined the BRC in 2003 having spent six years in political and corporate communications consulting at EU and international level.

Link titleAndrew Opie, Director of Food and Consumer Policy - 020 7854 8930. Andrew is a qualified rural surveyor. He joined the BRC in 2005 after eight years as head of policy services with the National Farmers' Union. He is a member of the Organic Action Plan Group. andrew.opie@brc.org.uk

Link titlePaul Smith, Director of Retail Services Policy - 020 7854 8955.

Link titleGill Cronin, Director of Marketing & Business Information - 020 7854 8970 .

Link titleTessa Kelly, Director of Business Administration - 020 7854 8940.

Link titleJohn Cormode, Chief Executive, BRC Trading Limited - 020 7854 8985

Their aims and objectives

They have a website containing details of the work they undertake in services to their members such as business information on retail pricing but also in policy work and consultations.One of their policy areas is the food industry.

Influencing Government

The BRC website contains a section entitled Influencing Government.

The organisation claims strong ties with Brussels, Westminster and the three devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They also claim ties with several government departments including ; Link titleThe Cabinet Office, Link titlethe Department of culture media & sport, Link titlethe Department of Health, Link titlethe HSE, Link titleDEFRA, Link titlethe Department of Education & Skills, Link titlethe Department of International Development, Link titlethe Department of Transport, Link titlethe Department of Trade & Industry, Link titlethe Department of Work & Pension, Link titlethe Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Food Standards Agency, HM Revenue & Customs, HM Treasury, Link titlethe Home Office.

The Influencing Government section contains links to each Government departments and lists the BRCs policy work with that particular department. These policy areas include; the Alcohol Harm Strategy, Animal By-products, Dairy Industry Forum, Ethical Trading, Food Chain Communication, the Food and Health Action Plan, the Food Industry Sustainability Study, Nutrition and Health, Promotion of Food to children, Red Meat Industry Forum, Retail Policy Forum and Tax on Spirits.

Food Policy

Their website states that "British consumers have access to an unparalleled range of safe food, all year round and at all price points, regardless of where they live.

The BRC's Food Policy Team represents the whole range of food and drink retailers including large multiples, department stores and independent shops, selling a wide selection of products through centre of town, out of town, rural and virtual stores.

In 2004, food retailers employed some 1.2 million people (over 5% of the workforce) and grocery retail sales were worth £120 billion. The sector consists of over 61,000 enterprises, contributing 10% to national GDP.

Food retailers believe that the interests of consumers are best protected within a competitive food chain. The Food Policy Team provides information, advice and representation to the BRC's members on issues relating to food and drink. This includes liaison with Government Departments and Agencies and other stakeholders in the modern British food economy. The Team also has responsibility for the BRC's Technical Standards in Food, Consumer Products and Packaging."

Within their food policy the BRC identify several areas of interest; Regulation and Enforcement, Allergens, Food and Farming,Food Surveillance, Health and Nutrition,Healthy Options, Labelling,Microbiology, Product Recall and Traceability, Responsible Drinks Retailing, and Sustainability.

Regulation and Enforcement

The BRC believes that "The most effective way of raising standards in food business is to encourage a more targeted approach to the enforcement of existing legislation." The BRC also supports the Government's drive to achieve ‘Better Policy Making' and believes "this is best achieved through use of the better policy-making framework, and the five principles of good regulation."