MAJOR
BRANDS TAKE PART IN FOREMOST CONFERENCE Foremost’s
third annual Supplier Show took place between 13th and 16th
November and was enthusiastically supported by all of Foremost’s major hardware
suppliers, including Titleist, Taylor Made and Wilson. The show acted as the main
buying and training platform for Foremost’s members for the 2001 season. Foremost
took over the Conference Centre and 125 chalets and 33 of its suppliers displayed
their Spring/Summer 2001 ranges. The theme for the conference was “Focus on the
Future” and this message was constantly reiterated throughout the three days.
As
the UK’s largest golf retailer with over 250 shops and a turnover exceeding £40
million, Foremost recognises that it needs to continually improve its members’
business skills and give them a thorough grounding in the best modern retail management
practices to guarantee their future success. To this end Foremost’s management
gave presentations on business planning, selling and staff motivation as well
as an overview of the group’s marketing plans and key product promotions for 2001.
During the three-day conference six of Foremost’s key suppliers also made 30-minute presentations.
Among the other highlights
of the conference was a gala dinner on Wednesday evening for over 200 invited
guests.
The
Foremost Academy training programme is another example of how the group is helping
its membership to focus on the future. Before the conference it distributed a
computer-based business-planning module which enabled pros to prepare professional
financial, marketing and buying plans. By inputting a few figures on turnover,
overheads, margins etc, the programme prepares a full set of financial reports
including balance sheets, cash flow forecasts and profit and loss
reports. It also assists members with preparing
their stocking and buying plans. The conference provided them with the opportunity
to make their final decisions. Foremost’s
first two annual conferences were hailed an unqualified success both by the group’s
membership and its suppliers. This year proved to be no exception. The majority
of Foremost’s 225 members attended the conference for the full three days, and
many of them were accompanied by assistants or other staff members. The event
was an invaluable and rewarding one for everyone involved.
| 
