CONSOLIDATION OF G.H.B.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31166, 16 September 1966, Page 7

CONSOLIDATION OF G.H.B.

The annual Good Housekeeping Bureau meetings were held to consolidate the opinions and decisions of the several G.H.B. operations in New Zealand, and to give up-to-date knowledge regarding the retail grocery trade, said Mr B. O’Brien, the chairman of directors of G.H.8., in a message to mark the occasion of the eighth annual conference, which will be held in Christchurch tonight and tomorrow.

“The past conferences have been of great benefit to the retail grocer and, incidentally, to the wholesale grocery merchant, and where a store has put into effect the modern trends as learnt, the business has prospered,” Mr O’Brien said.

before the country is ready for them. There are far too many shops for the population and in newly developed areas shops are being opened before ‘population is there. The re-

“There is an inclination with most people to think that the other fellow is a robber. A little clear thinking would demonstrate that everyone depends on the other fellow’s prosperity. “G.H.B. is the largest grocery group in New Zealand. It is made up of individual self owned stores, pledged to operate by strict principles geared to provide the public with all types of goods of high quality and at the lowest possible prices. New members are being added every week.

“Good Housekeeping Bureau, Ltd. (G.H.8.) was started 16 years ago with a small number of stores with the idea of better buying, group advertising and the presentation of a uniform image to the public. Since then it has developed into the largest grocery group in New Zealand. Its development is backed by some 70 wholesale merchants spread from Northland to Bluff, whose responsibility it is to assist with finance, special prices and as much up to date advice as is possible.

“There are many matters on the agenda all designed to improve the image of G.H.B. and to the ultimate benefit of the person that counts most, ’the consumer.’

“The members look forward to this conference, which is being held in the hospitable atmosphere of Christchurch,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The secret of the G.H.B. grocer’s success is the fact that a personal service has been given to his customer. This service ensures that the customer received utmost personal courtesy, fresh merchandise which is attractively displayed, and also credit and delivery where required.

sult is senseless cutting of prices of some lines. In many areas it is recognised that these shops must make a loss for some time.

“It has to be kept In mind (if possible) that all profit as well as wages derived from whatever activity constitutes prosperity for everyone. From this, Governments exact taxation, which in turn is spent, and so the circle continues.

“The trade at the moment is going through a peculiar phase. Overseas trends are being put into operation long