In a bid to strengthen connections within the retail community and offer substantial benefits to its members, the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has been organising a series of Bira Direct Roadshows across the UK. The roadshows aim to bring together retailers and suppliers under one roof, fostering networking opportunities, discovering new products, and showcasing the advantages of Bira membership. This year, one of the most exciting highlights of these roadshows was the chance to win a £500 Bira Direct credit prize. The winner of the prize draw was selected among members who had registered for the events and attended at least one of the shows.
The recent Roadshows held as part of the Bira Direct Roadshows series saw a remarkable turnout and a lucky winner who bagged the coveted £500 credit prize. The winner, Tony's Handyman shop from Barnt Green, shared their experiences from the event, shedding light on the positive impact of the roadshows and the invaluable prize they received.
Attending the Coventry Roadshow for the first time, the winners expressed their satisfaction with the event's format: "It suited us for the event being on until late in the evening so we could attend after the shop closed. This meant we didn't need to get cover and also we could both attend. The venue was good - easy to find & not too far from us," the winner noted. The roadshow's evening schedule until 8pm allowed retailers to participate without disrupting their regular business hours, a feature that was highly appreciated!
The welcoming atmosphere and the friendliness of the participants stood out as a significant highlight of the Coventry Roadshow. The winner recalled, "Everyone was super friendly - we were greeted as soon as we arrived. We were talked through some benefits on the BIRA website which we were unaware of.". This personalised approach helped attendees get the most out of the event and discover valuable resources they might have otherwise missed.
Furthermore, the Roadshows provided a platform for engaging with both existing and new suppliers. The winner stated, "It was good to speak to new & old suppliers. We did place an order with a new company on the day! We have since opened an account and placed an order with another supplier and have also contacted 3 other suppliers, although we haven't placed an order with them just yet." This interaction resulted in tangible business transactions, underlining the effectiveness of the roadshows in facilitating meaningful connections between retailers and suppliers.
However, the pinnacle of the Bira Direct Roadshows experience for the winner was undoubtedly the £500 Bira Direct credit prize. "The £500 credit with Bira Direct has benefitted us greatly! We were over the moon when we heard we had won it! Especially at this time of the year when we are quiet. To be honest, I don't think we would've placed our most recent (& new supplier) order with Draper Tools just yet if we hadn't had the £500 credit," the winner enthusiastically stated. This prize not only served as a reward but also as a strategic boost to their business operations, enabling them to explore new supplier relationships and make purchases they might have postponed otherwise.
The success of the Bira Direct Roadshows exemplifies the effectiveness of these events in connecting retailers and suppliers for mutual benefit. With a combination of networking opportunities, supplier interactions, exclusive promotions and valuable prizes, these roadshows continue to play a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant and resilient independent retail community.
To find out more about all the benefits of product buying for independent retail businesses, visit Bira Direct
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