Spar UK managing director Jerry Marwood has called on retailers to find cheaper ways of doing business and selling more products in the face of rising costs.
Speaking at the recent annual trade show of Spar's West Country regional distribution company Appleby Westward, Marwood cited the higher minimum wage, energy bills and retail price deflation as the main challenges facing retailers.
He warned: "If the cost of doing business is the fastest-moving item on your profit and loss printout, then it's vital you sell more products that people want and reduce the cost of doing business."