A co powiesz na:
select datepart(yyyy, [date]) as [year]
from shoptransfer
group by datepart(yyyy, [date])
Lub:
select count(*) as qty, datepart(yyyy, [date]) as [year]
from shoptransfer
group by datepart(yyyy, [date])
order by [year]
Jest to oparte na poleceniu OP:"Chcę pogrupować według roku część kolumny daty (varchar)"