I have just got back from being in Northern Ireland for a Retra meeting.

It was a huge success with more than 60 dealers attending.

The afternoon started with a trade exhibition and this was followed by a lively centre meeting.

Dealers came from as far away as Enniskillen to check on the special deals Retra has arranged for its members.

Even a small shop like mine can save a small fortune by processing all our credit card transactions at the low, low Retra-negotiated rate.

Retra had also arranged similar savings on telephone and Internet charges. Dealers also liked the preferential rates on offer for shop insurance.

A meal was served after the exhibition closed and then it was time for the business meeting. Retra’s new council member for Northern Ireland, John Campbell, introduced the president Peter Mann and Retra chief executive Bryan Lovewell.

John Campbell is a really go-ahead young dealer who turned up in a 4·2 litre sports car – he is obviously used to going places fast – I hear he has already livened up some of the council meetings at Retra HQ.

One of the speakers was Rob Moon from the VCA, the government department charged with implementing the WEEE regulations.

I used to be able to spot a government official by the bowler hat, brief case and stuffy manner.

Rob Moon is completely different and when I noticed that he wore an earring, I knew he was going to be a good guy.

He explained everything about WEEE in very simple terms and he was really helpful. Be sure to see him if he comes to a centre meeting near you.

Later on, I conducted a forum where dealers aired their views on a wide range of subjects and all their questions were skilfully answered by the chief executive and the president.

Earlier in the day, I managed to make unannounced visits to 11 dealers in Belfast and I am pleased to report that they all looked good and seemed to be doing very well.

I started at S & R Electric at 9am and was astonished to see a sign on the door that said “We beat any Currys, Argos and Laser price” – that’s a wee bit cheeky, as Laser is a fellow independent – but the store was perfect. Sam is still the man.

I also managed to visit the Sony Centre, CS Suppliers, two Frank Rea shops, two Noel Grimley stores, two huge Laser Electrical superstores and Blackwood Electrics.

 I even managed to visit Dixons and I must admit it looked pretty good, too.

Next day, Ian MacDonald, Retra’s business development officer, kindly drove the Retra contingent on two pre-arranged dealer visits.

About an hour to the north of Belfast lies the village of Kilrea, which has a population of 1,500. But it also held a great surprise for us in the shape of Donaghy Bros.

The shop was founded more than 40 years ago by Sean Donaghy, who introduced us to his sons and showed us around the business. And what a business.

I can think of no other store in a small village that has a turnover that exceeds £8 million.

Before leaving Northern Ireland, there was also time to visit Brian Raney’s Nicholl Bros in Ballymena.

This huge department store stocked everything from top of the range white goods, to home theatre set-ups, to electric grand pianos at upwards of £10,000.

Now that would be a nice sale on a wet Wednesday. 

Watch out for my profile of the Donaghy Bros store in Kilrea in the May issue of ERT Ireland.