Shahid Razzaq "“ Newsagents and Retail

Thu, Jan 12th 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Mr Razzaq will address the Club on developments in the Retail and Newsagents sector
H&R: John McDonald and Malcolm Southern
VoT: Des Donnelly

Newspaper

At tonight's meeting of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw, the guest speaker was Shahid, better known as Mo, Razzaq. An award winning independent retailer with 24 years experience, Mo is also a South Lanarkshire councillor.

Mo has two stores in Blantyre and, over the years, has seen many changes in the trade. His advice is that small retailers have to adapt to keep up with the multi nationals. Since starting in the retail business his turnover has grown six-fold and he went to explain how he had achieved this increase. Initially, he said that the retailer must know what his customers want and the best way to supply their needs. They must, also, be open to new opportunities and be adaptable to new technologies and trends.

In expanding his business, he bought an old hotel in High Blantyre turning the lower floor into his flagship Family Shopper store which he states is more in line with what Aldi and Lidl are doing. In addition, he has added a Subway franchise to this store, the sales from this venture hugely exceeding his expectations. The rooms on the top floor were converted to bedsits giving an additional source of income.

During their early years in business in Blantyre, the locality where their shop was located was plagued by vandalism and Mo, and his wife, decided that something had to be done about this. They founded, and continue to run, a number of community projects including two successful football teams.

Mo then responded to a number of questions put to him by members.

The fulsome vote of thanks was given by Des Donnelly, a recently retired newsagent, who knew Mo personally.

Past President Ronald Morrison, one of our senior members who died recently, was a celebrated baritone who sang, professionally, with Scottish Opera. Recently, Past President John Chapman, arranged for a cassette tape of Ronald singing a collection of Burns songs to be converted to CD. Ronald was able to listen to this in his later years. In Ronald’s memory, John provided each member with a copy of this CD.

The winner of the weekly bonus ball was Past President Hugh Graham.


Andrew StevenContact Andrew Steven about this page:

(ALL fields required)

(If you are a Rotarian, please name your club.)

'What We Do' Main Pages:

(Rotary Youth Leadership Award)

As a Club, we sponsor the attendance of at least two young people on this fantastic award scheme

more  
End Polio Now

For more than 30 years, Rotary, and our partners, have been working to End Polio Now. We"™re this close to ending the disease forever. Join us!

more  

The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome another new member inducted online, David Grieve

more  
Well dedicated to Past President John Chapman

"˜WishWell" 2008 - 2015 What Have We Done?

more  

The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are proud to recognise the outstanding service given by Past President Jim Robertson in his thirty-five years in our Club

more  

The Furniture for Families Project provides furniture and household items to families in need within our service areas - Motherwell, Wishaw, Bellshill and Larkhall.

more  
The finished article

Rising to Pres. Jane's challenge, a sleigh is built for Santa's tours of Motherwell and Wishaw

more  
Jean Murray, our newest member

The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome our second new member inducted online, Jean Murray.

more  
Picture L-R: F Dickson, N Hamilton, Pres. Jane Allan, A Tweedie, C Graham & O Chambers

Picture L-R: F Dickson, N Hamilton, Pres. Jane Allan, A Tweedie, C Graham & O Chambers

more  

The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are proud to support the Rotary Club of Chelmer Bridge, in the 2019 Rotary Poppy Pin Appeal to raise funds for the Royal British Legion, including Poppy Scotland

more  
Interact Logo

Working with the Head Teacher and staff of Coltness High School, the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw has agreed to sponsor an Interact Club

more  

For the second year, the members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw welcome our new President, Charles Keeper, online!!

more  

The Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw recognises the importance of building and maintaining close links with the youth of today, through the schools and youth organisations in our community

more  

The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw welcome President Katrina in unusual circumstances!!

more  

For a Registration Fee, members of the Club will support cyclists, riding to raise funds for named charities.

more  
Santa and Our Sleigh

On 15th and 22nd December, Santa, and some Rotarian helpers, toured Motherwell, then Wishaw, spreading Christmas Spirit and raising funds for various charities.

more  

Tablets, equipped with dementia friendly apps, are delivered to two nursing homes for the use of their residents

more  
Pres. James with the participants

Golf tournament, for the Douglas Clementson Trophy, participating teams being from our local secondary schools to be held at Colville Park Golf Course

more  
The participating pupils

An annual event for primary schools in the Larkhall area being held for the first time by the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw (previously run by Clyde Valley Rotary Club)

more  

The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome our newest recruit, David Crichton.

more  

When asked if we could help one of our local primary schools make and build a hut for their garden projects how could we refuse, and what a fantastic day we had doing it.

more