NOT JUST A SHOP! In his yearly report, the Chairman of a chain of retail outlets writes about the financial aspects of the business and describes the work which the company has done to benefit people in the areas where their shops are located It continues to be an important part of our company policy to be responsible for the health and welfare of people in the areas which we serve. In the past year, we have concentrated especially on education and training, and have invested over ￡4,000,000 in this and other areas ranging from the care of the old to the arts. Let us look at these first. We have, as always, financed health research and care projects helping not only the old but children and the disabled too. We were especially pleased this year to provide alarms for disabled people who live alone and to run programmes which help children understand better the problems facing disabled people. The Groundwork Foundation encourages young people in poor areas to improve their environment, while the Schools Prom concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London includes 20,000 children nationwide. Both of these were given financial help. As mentioned above, in the last year we have been active in supporting a range of education projects. Two of our managers are now out of the company on 1-year projects, training young people for work in the retail industry and improving the quality of the teaching they receive. In addition, we have started a programme of 3-month schemes which our managerial staff are able to benefit from without having to take a long break from their jobs. Schools and universities have also benefited. A London Business School received ￡50,000 to develop a training programme for UK school staff, giving them the skills necessary to manage their own schools. A major University has received a promise of ￡100,000 over 5 years to fund a new teaching post in international retailing. This will allow 22 more students to study this subject each year. It is not only the company that supports good work for other people. Members of staff themselves are encouraged to join the company Give as You Earn system, to give money to others, especially those organisations working for the benefit of the local area. In such cases the company often gives its support by making an additional contribution. We look forward to committing even more money to these and other projects in the coming year. In the past year ￡4,000,000 was spent on