Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) will be taking to the road again this summer to speak with independent retailers in towns across the UK.
The free events will give retailers a range of ideas to save them time and money in areas such as pensions auto enrolment, business banking, card processing, marketing, legal advice and finding the right shop insurance. They will also look at how collaboration within the towns can encourage footfall and increase spend.
Julie Conway, national membership manager at bira said: “Independent retailers make our high streets diverse and exciting. They are the lifeblood of our communities and without them we wouldn’t have high streets at all. A few simple changes could make all the difference when it comes to getting communities to return to the high street and spend more money.
“As an association that has supported independent retailers for over 116 years, we have a wealth of knowledge in how best to support retailers and help their bottom line. As well as specialist services, we lobby Government to make sure family-run and independent retailers’ views are heard. We are constantly learning from our members and have great examples of best practice that we want to share at our roadshows.”
The ‘bira says shop local’ campaign will be a key focus of the bira roadshows and ways in which shop owners can encourage more footfall and spend will be discussed. bira will be working with the Town Centre Managers as well as retailers who are already members of the association to support the events.
Towns due to be visited include Barnoldswick, Belper, Broxburn (Scotland), Colwyn Bay (Wales), Kingston Upon Thames, Norwich and Wantage. Retailers signing up to bira on the day will be offered a discounted annual membership.
