Opportunities and issues relevant to internet retailing will be the subject under discussion at the British Home Enhancement Trade Association's (BHETA) next member forum.
The line-up of speakers includes Joan Woulfe, owner of web-based company Cooking Marvellous and chairwoman of the Cookshop and Housewares Association. Her business has seen dramatic growth since its launch in 2005, and now dispatches to over 130 countries and was a recent recipient of the Queen's Award for Enterprise.

British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) director of communications Mick Weedon has a wealth of knowledge and experience of both the independent cookshop and hardware retail sectors and will be sharing both with the forum.

Also speaking will be Mark Lesniak, the founder-director of greatbritishstore.com, a new web-based portal showcasing British products that will potentially establish an interface between suppliers and export customers. The initiative has been put together in conjunction with the UKT&I and will be supported by British consulates in 106 global markets.

Mr Lesniak will be talking about the opportunities for suppliers to showcase their products in this new initiative.

Finally, Gerald Couldrake from BHETA legal representatives Howes-Percival will look at the law governing online sales and all the issues suppliers should consider before dealing with an online retailer.

The event will take place on November 5 at Federation House, 10 Vyse Street, Birmingham.

Meanwhile, BHETA has won praise from the Trade Association Forum (TAF) for its Meet the Buyer (MTB) retail engagement programme. TAF asseses, rewards and promotes best practice amongst trade associations.

"It's great to see MTB acknowledged and praised for the level of added value it gives to our membership," commented BHETA home improvement sector director Paul Grinsell. "Compliance, advice and practical help are all very important parts of our offer, but the level of access we provide for our members enabling them to add sales at home and abroad really sets us apart. It's also fantastic for the whole team to have its success recognised in this way."