Biz leaders join hands to launch Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association
Local business leaders and retail professionals have joined forces to form the Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association, a first of its kind in the country.
The inaugural meeting was held recently with the participation of several industry professionals and business owners from a cross section of leading retailers including Keells Super, Abans, Cargills Food City, Laughs, Healthguard, Hatton National Bank, Ceylinco General Insurance, Rainco, EAP Group, Hameedia and the President of the Sri Lanka Apparel Brand Association (SLABA).
Hussain Sadique, Deputy Managing Director of Hameedia and the Lead Convener, who initiated the idea, said, “The proponents mooted the idea of forming the Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association with the aim of connecting leading names in the retail industry and to shape the country’s business narrative. The Retailers’ Association will also connect retailers to work towards creating value, backed by good customer service and best practices. This Association is a crucial and much-needed stepping stone to develop and boost the retail industry and to launch a Retail Forum, which will be an annual event in the Association’s calendar of activities. The Association will highlight the shared support within the industry and enhance professional and consumer knowledge”. The initiative was hailed with enthusiasm by the industry leaders and business professionals engaged in the retail sphere. Tito Pestonjee, the Managing Director of Abans commented, “As one of the founder members, we are delighted to be a part of this initiative and agree to fully support its activities”. Krishan Balendra, Presidentretail, of the John Keells Group, affirmed that, “Forming a Retailers’ Association was long overdue in the retail industry”, while Asoka Peiris, Group CEO of Singer Sri Lanka said, “We are happy to join and be an active member of the Retailers’ Association. Members of the retail industry are invited to participate in the Association’s activities.