More than £3m orders were placed at the Country Range Group’s annual exhibition and gala dinner, with more than 500 delegates and 100 exhibitors joining the buying group in Manchester.
Unveiling the new brand refresh for the first time and celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Group’s industry magazine, Stir it up, the event also featured a wide variety of brands.
Read more: Country Range refreshes own-brand collection and reveals ‘premium tier products’
The annual conference followed the exhibition with chief executive Martin Ward taking to the stage to provide an update on the group and expressed his dismay at what he called ‘disingenuous’ businesses in the market portraying themselves as independent when they are far from it.
He also provided an update on the group’s sustainability strategy, which has seen the Group’s members reduce their operational emissions by 20% and their carbon intensity by 40% since 2019, meaning CRG members generate 40% less emissions for every £1 of revenue generated.
Head of marketing Emma Holden followed with a marketing update highlighting the Country Range brand refresh roll out plans as well as some enhanced branded supplier digital and print advertising packages.
Ward said: “It’s fantastic to take our annual exhibition, conference and evening celebrations to a new city and the incredible Manchester Central venue was the perfect place to stage it. The day is always a special opportunity for our proudly independent members to come together and discover the vast, diverse and unique range of products on offer from innovative suppliers. With over £3m in orders placed by delegates and our brand refresh well and truly activated, it was a fantastic day.”
