Rowlands staff who attended the conference were given exclusive product briefings by companies that supply best-selling brands, such as Probiotec and Reckitt Benckiser.

The in-depth briefings aimed to impart product knowledge to help staff give the best possible customer advice, and to replicate the success of previous brand launches such as the Celebrity Slim range of meal replacement soups, shakes and snack bars.

“Celebrity Slim wasn’t just put on the shelves,” says Rowlands commercial director John D’Arcy, adding that extensive product knowledge can be essential to sales success.