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NEWS NEW SUNRISE DISCUSSES OUTLOOK AND RECOVERY Retail buying group New Sunrise held a virtual summit recently with the economic outlook and recovery plan for small and family businesses at the top of the agenda. Fifteen FMCG supplier CEOs, managing directors, sales directors and general managers took the opportunity at New Sunrise’s two-day summit in November to congratulate and thank each of the group’s retailers for the resilience, agility and innovation shown throughout 2020. Keynote speaker for the first summit was federal Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash. She outlined some of the measures the government was taking to support the economic recovery of businesses directly impacted by Covid-19. This included the JobKeeper initiative supporting more than one million businesses across Australia. Ms Cash said the outlook for the fuel retailing industry was positive. “Fuel demand is expected to make a recovery in 2020/21, with industry revenue forecast to increase annually over the next five years,” she said. “Local communities need their servos, and I know you’ll continue to support them. You can rest assured that the Morrison government will continue to back small business every step of the way”. The summit continued with ACAPMA CEO Mark McKenzie and Executive Manager Elisha Radwanowskai giving some further perspective on impact to fuel sales during 2020 and the outlook for 2021. The summit began day two with a detailed review and outlook on the New Sunrise strategic marketing plan for 2021, ‘Here comes the sun: Bring the fun in 21’. "Fuel demand is expected to make a recovery in 2020/21, with industry revenue forecast to increase annually over the next five years." New Sunrise Merchandise Manager Joe Alessi gave an overview of the business’s strategic pillars built on mutuality, visibility, execution and growth that he said had enabled New Sunrise to become the “fastest growing” national independent retail network in 2020. Next up was Convenience Measures Australia (CMA) Director Corinne Barclay. She presented the latest shopper report conducted by CMA in August 2020. Director of Jack and Co Local Stores Wade Death also spoke about the rollercoaster year of business trading in 2020. Some of his stores are in communities severely and directly impacted by bushfires, drought, flood and the pandemic. He noted the courage and strength shown by his team as the “true success factors” in 2020. Bringing an international perspective to the summit, New Sunrise international partner John Lofstock, Editor in Chief at US based convenience channel journal CStore Decisions, presented a review of the US convenience market in 2020, along with his outlook for the industry. Mr Lofstock was joined by Ohio based retailer Greg Ehrlich, President of FriendShip Kitchen stores, who gave a further perspective on trading during the pandemic in the US. 10 CONVENIENCE WORLD JAN/FEB, 2021