Following last week’s news that Nisa was postponing its annual retail exhibition because of the coronavirus outbreak, more industry events have been axed.
Bestway has postponed its Retail Development Seminars planned for Leeds on 25-26 March and Glasgow on 13-14 April. Bestway said a new date would be communicated for each location later in the year.
Dawood Pervez, Managing Director of Bestway Wholesale, said: “Our highest priority is to keep our colleagues and customers safe, and in light of the developing situation, we have made the unfortunate decision to postpone these two events.”
Meanwhile, Unitas Wholesale has cancelled its two-day 2020 Trade Show that was due to start tomorrow.
A statement from Managing Director Darren Goldney said: “It is with regret that I have to inform you that due to the current situation regarding Coronavirus, and the subsequent high number of supplier and member cancellations, especially over the last couple of days, we have no option but to cancel the trade show.”
He added: “We are in dialogue with all the service providers to establish what costs can be recovered or moved and will advise in due course.”
To salvage the incremental sales opportunity offered by the show, Unitas is facilitating a process whereby suppliers will be sent their individual electronic extracts from the trade show deal brochure, together with a full list of those members who were originally scheduled to attend.
“You will have already prepared to dedicate sales staff to the two days of the show, and we would now ask that you actively make contact with all members to discuss key brand activity, and maximise sales opportunities by selling-in your show offers,” said Goldney.
Meanwhile, its members will be sent a further electronic copy of the full trade show deal brochure, together with a complete contact list of all suppliers who were originally scheduled to attend. Goldney said: “We would ask that members’ trading personnel proactively make contact with all suppliers over the course of the week, in order to engage, refocus brand plans, and invest in that supplier’s show offers.”
