Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
Sue Nithyanandan, of Costcutter Epsom, Surrey, attended her first meeting this week and said she was very pleased to be the first woman member.
She said: “I was a bit nervous – the other members are all seasoned retailers – but I was welcomed and I am looking forward to seeing how we go forward.
“I suppose it reflects the fact that women are becoming more confident in retail.
“Behind the scenes, they have always been there, but now many are taking leading roles.”
Nithyanandan runs her Costcutter with her husband , Subramaniam, and says they perform very different roles in the business.
She said: “I am the one who is more likely to look at what products we stock, what is new, what is current, and how we use social media.
“My husband is the steady hand, making sure things run smoothly behind the scenes and that all the bills are paid – that sort of thing.”
Nithyanandan added that her staff were predominantly female.
She said: “Of 15 staff, just two are men, so it’s a female group and it’s good to be a woman in retail. I think we can have a different perspective and have a lot to offer.”
Nithyanandan believes this role is being more generally appreciated and she paid tribute to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) as being one of the first to set up a dedicated women’s group.
She said: “These sorts of groups play an important role and it’s a good thing the industry is beginning to acknowledge women in retail.”
Partners for Growth provides unbiased advice based on insight from Unilever category experts, plus business advice from the retailer advisory panel of leading UK convenience retailers.
