News

bira invests in its offices to better serve its members and create a modern environment for the modern association The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) officially opened its new offices in Edgbaston in Birmingham on 21st September 2017. The event was attended by 150 members, staff and friends of the association and included a talk […]

Press Releases

New national business incubator launched worth £300,000 to support retail start ups Revo, the retail property and place-making organisation, has launched Free Space+, a national initiative to offer start-up and growing businesses retail space and business support in retail centres at no cost. Free Space+ is launched in partnership with nine of the largest UK […]

Press Releases

Nearly six months after the introduction of a new business rates regime Mark Radford reviews progress to date. Back in the heady days of Spring 2014 in recognition of the damage caused to the economy by high rate bills, the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne famously described the business rate system as ‘not fit […]

Featured
Industry News

2017 WORLDPAY EVERYWOMAN IN RETAIL AMBASSADORS ANNOUNCED Hundreds of senior figures from some of the UK’s most-loved retail brands gathered at 8 Northumberland Avenue on 12 September to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Worldpay everywoman in Retail Ambassador Programme. Twelve inspirational women working in retail were hand-selected and appointed as this year’s everywoman ambassadors. […]

Industry News
Press Releases

Business rates were on the top of the agenda when bira visited Downing Street on 23rd August 2017. bira met with Jimmy McLoughlin, who was previous deputy head of policy and head of external relations at the IoD before he moved to his special adviser role at number 10.  This allowed bira to discuss the nub […]

Featured
Press Releases

It is with immediate effect that we sadly notify you that London and Lancs have ceased trading and therefore supply through bira direct. For more information and detail including alternative suppliers please contact Steve Akers or Mike Whiles on 0121 446 3736/446 3732 respectively.   Alternatively, you may wish to contact some alternative bira direct suppliers […]

Direct

The Home Office is currently carrying out their annual survey about crimes experienced by businesses in England and Wales. Taking part in the Commercial Victimisation Survey is your opportunity to help the Home Office to understand the nature, extent and cost of crimes against businesses and to tackle crime in our sector. Each year, the […]

Industry News
Press Releases

Calling all retailers! Are you looking to make your business more profitable this coming autumn and winter? September Savers is bira direct biggest campaign of the year and aimed at kick starting our hardware, cookshop and giftware retailers key selling seasons. With exclusive buying promotions, offers and discounts from leading product suppliers such as Draper and Toolstream, […]

Direct
Members' News

Connect Distribution launches new 2018 retailers catalogue – the UK’s leading distributor of spare parts, accessories, consumables and small domestic appliances – has launched there new 416 page glossy colour catalogue. There are 8 main sections including ‘Floorcare’, ‘Home Appliances’, ‘Outdoor’ ‘Heating & Cooling’, ‘Electrical, Lighting, Hardware and ‘Multimedia’. All of the products featured in […]

Direct

With just over a month until this year’s Excellence in Housewares Awards, which is co-hosted by Progressive Housewares and bira, tensions are building to see who will be named as bira-Cookshop and Housewares Retailer of the Year. In the running for Retailer of the Year 2017 are members Art of Living – Banstead, Cobham and […]

Press Releases

Growing digital channels can help boost the high street in UK towns, according to the Digital Influence Index compiled by #WDYT. ‘Digital influence’ is the ability of any town or city to drive measurable outcomes from online channels to their high street. The campaign encourages retailers and shoppers to share a photo each day of […]

Featured
Guest Blog
Press Releases

Contract of Employment – are they just a worthless piece of paper or a great tool for employers? We take a look at the main points you need to consider when drafting and varying contracts in this Contract of Employment Q&A . Do I need to provide my employees with a written Contract of Employment? Contrary to […]

Current Business Issues

The New bira Bank Regular Savings Account – an introduction from John Collins, Managing Director, bira Bank. Bira bank is looking to increase its depositor base and encourage more members into opening a savings account with their Trade Association bank. As you will be aware, at bira bank we aim to deliver benefit to bira […]

Members' News
Press Releases

Be wary of scams involving the sale of fake certificates that suggest you do not have workplace pension duties. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is investigating at least one company offering what it describes as “Certificates of Auto Enrolment Exemption” to employers. If you’re offered the chance to buy a certificate of exemption or any similar […]

Current Business Issues

A white paper titled ‘The State of SMS’ released by Textlocal, one of the UK’s leading SMS marketing platforms, predicts a sharp rise in mobile marketing as Britain boasts nearly 80m active mobile phones in circulation for the first time. Despite these findings, only 50% of businesses surveyed are currently using SMS as part of […]

Press Releases

Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham every February and August, MODA brings together over 1000 collections across menswear, womenswear footwear, accessories and athleisure.  Moda’s seminar programme is a highlight of the show, helping visitors to get ahead in business with the help of experts in their field. Over the next two weeks, Moda will introduce […]

Guest Blog
Press Releases

Obligations under the Data Protection Act The UK government has been clear that, despite Brexit, they will implement the regulations. Although EU Member States have up to the 25th May 2018 to implement the new rules in their national laws, you need to think about how to plan for the changes for your business now. […]

Current Business Issues
Industry News

S/S 18 launches at Moda with new global signings, an interactive wellness area and an engaging seminar programme presented in conjunction with the Fashion Association of Britain, part of industry body bira.   National trade fashion exhibition Moda has confirmed a strong line up of new and returning labels across the menswear, womenswear, footwear and […]

Press Releases

The Pensions Regulator has announced that they are carrying out Auto Enrolment spot checks on Birmingham employers as part of the nationwide enforcement campaign. Following on from the The Pensions Regulator announcement released on Friday 16th June – as part of the nationwide campaign which began in London, and then Manchester – TPR is to begin AE spot […]

Current Business Issues
Industry News

Following the tragic fire on 14th June at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, some of our clients have enquired about what they should be doing to protect themselves and the people they are responsible for from the risk of fire. bira legal would therefore like to provide some simple advice on general fire safety precautions […]

Current Business Issues
Industry News

Recently, bira teamed up with Vend to give away a £20,000 retail growth package – here’s the lucky retailer who won! For small-to-medium retailers, having access to the best retail tools and technology is so important in order to grow and compete, which is why we recently ran a competition in the UK, giving stores […]

Guest Blog
Press Releases

Following the tragic events in Manchester, the Home Office would like to remind suppliers of regulated and reportable explosives precursors to look out for and report suspicious transactions and attempted transactions to the police on: 0800 789321 or chemical.reporting@met.police.uk Details: Explosives precursors are chemicals that may be used in the illicit manufacture of explosives.   […]

Current Business Issues
Industry News

Now that the general election is over, it is down to the new Government to ensure that the potential of an unstable political climate in the UK is minimised, and that consumer confidence is not knocked.  After all, a third of consumer spending goes through retail, and therefore strong policies are needed to ensure this continues in […]

BAGMA
Current Business Issues
Industry News
Press Releases

WHAT DOES THE ELECTION RESULT MEAN FOR RETAIL?  Source: GlobalData   The party manifestoes offered little other than more pain for retailers, but the uncertainty arising from the election result threatens to damage the industry more than any policy could.   In one sense not much has changed for retail –  little in the way […]

Current Business Issues
Guest Blog
Industry News

Most of us want to enjoy the summer. But as employers, you will often face the difficult task of dealing with numerous annual leave requests, refusing leave and cancelling pre-approved holidays. The workplace rules in your business should set out how much notice an employee needs to provide, how the leave must be booked and […]

Current Business Issues
Guest Blog

The Dragon’s Den re-air of MarXman is showing this Sunday at 7pm pn BBC2. This always provides a great opportunity to remind customers about the product. Have you enough stock? – if not why not order today! Send you orders through to orders@gripitfixings.co.uk Ensure you have marXman™ stock positioned on your counter – this gives […]

Direct

A high street footwear firm turned a £400 fine into a bill for more than £40,000 after claiming it was too busy to meet its pension responsibilities. The case has prompted a fresh warning to employers by The Pensions Regulator (TPR) not to ignore their automatic enrolment duties. Johnsons Shoes Company was issued with a […]

Current Business Issues
Industry News

Nominations are now open for the 2017 Worldpay everywoman in Retail Ambassador Programme, until 29th May. The Programme increases awareness of the diverse range of opportunities for women in retail, by shining the spotlight on role models, inspiring more women to consider a career in retail. Digital development is the hot prediction for 2017, with […]

Press Releases

Global corporates, industry bodies, startup innovators, media, and independent retailers are together rolling out an industry-wide programme to support and empower hundreds of thousands of independent local businesses.   From May 2017, SaveTheHighStreet.org and Industry Leaders such as AppearHere, Bink, British Independent Retail Association, CityHouseMedia, CitySprint, emocial, Enterprise Nation, Google Digital Garage, Iconeme, Interactive Media […]

Press Releases

Independent retail is vital to the UK economy and something we are extremely passionate about protecting. That’s why we were delighted to have Brightpearl, the retail management platform provider as a sponsor at the bira Conference and Awards, celebrating the best of what UK independent retail has to offer. Below Brightpearl lays out the key […]

Guest Blog

Choose from one, two, three or four STV Core Ranges for 2017 with up to 27.5% Trade Discount where £1.00 cost will generate £2.50 of retail value on the highest level of commitment!  

Direct

In light of the recent global cyber attack on both public and private sector organisations, the Government Department NCSC  lay out guidance and support to inform retailers on how you can protect your business from cyber attacks. bira would like to draw your attention to the below statement and guidance provided by the NCSC: Since […]

Current Business Issues
Industry News
Press Releases

Drabest UK may not have been on your suppliers list radar before but they should now. As part of the Drabest Group, a genuine power house of European aluminium and steel manufacturing, Drabest UK are able supply great quality access products with value in mind along with a people feel to their customer service, with […]

Direct

Leading UK multi-channel wholesaler, Stax Trade Centres walked away with the coveted ‘Supplier of the Year’ award at bira’s annual conference and awards ceremony. The event was held at Bristol’s Marriott Royal Hotel on Monday 8th May and was attended by a host of notable and respected figures from the retail community. The ever-popular conference […]

Direct

The finest talent from the world of independent retail celebrated at the bira national conference and awards 2017 The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) national conference and gala awards dinner took place at the Bristol Marriott Hotel on Monday 8 May. The annual bira awards represent an opportunity to showcase the very best of the […]

Press Releases

British Independent Retailers Association finds increased sales and store openings in Q1 2017, at a rate of 4 new stores per day Vend announces competition for retailers to win £20,000 worth of software and services to nurture fledgling growth London, UK – 9th May 2017 – Data released today by cloud-based point of sale software […]

Current Business Issues
Industry News
Press Releases

JoJo Maman Bébé, the UK’s leading independent multi-channel brand servicing the needs of discerning new parents, announces the appointment of Gwynn Milligan as Commercial Director on the day that Founder & CEO Laura Tenison gives a keynote speech at the bira’s (British Independent Retailers Association) annual conference. Laura says, “I launched JoJo 24 years ago […]

Industry News

Still a nation of shopkeepers – traditional independent retailers opened more shops than they closed in 2016. Data released today by LDC and British Independent Retailers Association (bira) shows that traditional independent retailers opened more shops than were closed in 2016 in Britain’s top 500 town centres, whilst the national chains continued to see a fall. […]

Industry News
Reports & Stats

Most of us want to enjoy the summer with family and friends, or perhaps take a couple of weeks away from it all and have an exotic holiday in the sun. But employers need to think about balancing the needs of employees to rest and recharge their batteries with the needs of the organisation to […]

Industry News

You will no doubt remember the story from last year of the receptionist who was sent home for refusing to wear high heels as apart of her dress code. Now, the government is set to bring in guidance for employers. Background Last year, receptionist Nicola Thorp set up a petition after she was sent home […]

Current Business Issues
Industry News

Company shortlisted in the Best Service to the Independent Gift Retailer Category by The Greats Gift Retailer Awards 2017 The Greats Awards recognise and reward the UK’s very best gift retailers across the retail spectrum. All retail finalists were decided as a result of an industry-wide poll of gift suppliers, reps and agents and validation by […]

Direct

Of course bira understand now that the starting gun has been triggered regarding the election that there is very little time for civil servants and ministers to undertake all of the commitments they had made during the last few weeks of this Government. However, considering that the Government has gone to the trouble to undertake […]

Current Business Issues
Industry News

At 5pm on 19th April 2017, MPs approved Theresa May’s decision to call a snap election on 8th June 2017, by a majority of 509 votes.  With this in mind, the British Independent Retailers Association (bira) looks forward to all parties setting out their manifesto pledges in the days to come, and hopes that all […]

Current Business Issues
Featured
Industry News
Press Releases

Nick Wilson, Director of Health & Safety Services at Ellis Whittam, gives an overview of the general duties owed by employees under Health & Safety law. The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act (HSWA) 1974 places a number of important responsibilities on the shoulders of employees and as an employer, you may wish to […]

Current Business Issues
Members' News

Whilst the GDPR will introduce significant changes to data protection legislation – completely overhauling the current legal framework – many bosses still haven’t given thought as to whether current processes comply with the new law. According to IBM, more data has been created in the past two years than ever before, with an estimated 2.5 quintillion […]

Current Business Issues
Members' News

From making clothes for her own children, bira member Rachel Riley has built a worldwide brand set to grow with the launch of the new Rachel Riley Home Collection. Award-winning childrenswear designer and Rachel Riley and Textrade International, one of India’s leading home textile manufacturers and international distributors, have signed a licensing agreement for the Rachel Riley Home […]

Members' News
Press Releases

The 2017 Natural and Organic Awards brought together shortlisted delegates to present and showcase their products. Winners of the Natural and Organic Awards  was announced on 3rd April with Cheryl Thallon, founder of Viridian, activist and fierce campaigner walking away with two award wins. The Natural and Organic Awards celebrated standout products and brands judged by a […]

Members' News

In response to overwhelming customer demand, leading supplier of quality hand tools and security solutions, Carl Kammerling International, has utilised sophisticated catalogue publishing software in order to launch an all brand product catalogue, its first in over five years. Following in-depth customer feedback, which revealed a preference for one ‘Carl Kammerling International Product Bible’, the 326-page […]

Direct

Each year we celebrate the outstanding contribution our bira direct suppliers make to the success of our members. They are important partners in our ability to deliver value and success to your business. This is your chance to tell us your favourite BHF and CHA suppliers and give them a chance to be recognized for their part […]

Direct

One of the reasons Employers end up in an Employment Tribunal is that they fail to deal with performance issues. Often performance issues are ignored. After all, nobody wants to spend their afternoon having an awkward conversation about how an employee is not hitting targets! However, it is better to manage poor performance in an […]

Uncategorized

bira invests in its offices to better serve its members and create a modern environment for the modern association The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) officially opened its new offices in Edgbaston in Birmingham on 21st September 2017. The event was attended by 150 members, staff and friends of the association and included a talk […]

New national business incubator launched worth £300,000 to support retail start ups Revo, the retail property and place-making organisation, has launched Free Space+, a national initiative to offer start-up and growing businesses retail space and business support in retail centres at no cost. Free Space+ is launched in partnership with nine of the largest UK […]

2017 WORLDPAY EVERYWOMAN IN RETAIL AMBASSADORS ANNOUNCED Hundreds of senior figures from some of the UK’s most-loved retail brands gathered at 8 Northumberland Avenue on 12 September to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Worldpay everywoman in Retail Ambassador Programme. Twelve inspirational women working in retail were hand-selected and appointed as this year’s everywoman ambassadors. […]

Business rates were on the top of the agenda when bira visited Downing Street on 23rd August 2017. bira met with Jimmy McLoughlin, who was previous deputy head of policy and head of external relations at the IoD before he moved to his special adviser role at number 10.  This allowed bira to discuss the nub […]

The Home Office is currently carrying out their annual survey about crimes experienced by businesses in England and Wales. Taking part in the Commercial Victimisation Survey is your opportunity to help the Home Office to understand the nature, extent and cost of crimes against businesses and to tackle crime in our sector. Each year, the […]

With just over a month until this year’s Excellence in Housewares Awards, which is co-hosted by Progressive Housewares and bira, tensions are building to see who will be named as bira-Cookshop and Housewares Retailer of the Year. In the running for Retailer of the Year 2017 are members Art of Living – Banstead, Cobham and […]

Growing digital channels can help boost the high street in UK towns, according to the Digital Influence Index compiled by #WDYT. ‘Digital influence’ is the ability of any town or city to drive measurable outcomes from online channels to their high street. The campaign encourages retailers and shoppers to share a photo each day of […]

The New bira Bank Regular Savings Account – an introduction from John Collins, Managing Director, bira Bank. Bira bank is looking to increase its depositor base and encourage more members into opening a savings account with their Trade Association bank. As you will be aware, at bira bank we aim to deliver benefit to bira […]

A white paper titled ‘The State of SMS’ released by Textlocal, one of the UK’s leading SMS marketing platforms, predicts a sharp rise in mobile marketing as Britain boasts nearly 80m active mobile phones in circulation for the first time. Despite these findings, only 50% of businesses surveyed are currently using SMS as part of […]

Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham every February and August, MODA brings together over 1000 collections across menswear, womenswear footwear, accessories and athleisure.  Moda’s seminar programme is a highlight of the show, helping visitors to get ahead in business with the help of experts in their field. Over the next two weeks, Moda will introduce […]

Still a nation of shopkeepers – traditional independent retailers opened more shops than they closed in 2016. Data released today by LDC and British Independent Retailers Association (bira) shows that traditional independent retailers opened more shops than were closed in 2016 in Britain’s top 500 town centres, whilst the national chains continued to see a fall. […]

The headlines have been filled with news this week about the mounting pressure being put on the Government to reform the damaging business rates system. The British Retail Consortium, of which bira is a member, is among the signatories of a letter submitted to the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, challenging the intended new appeals process […]

Figures released by the British Retail Consortium found an easing of shop price deflation in December. Overall shop prices reported deflation of 1.4% in December, a deceleration from the 1.7% fall in the previous two months. Non-food deflation decelerated to 1.9%, down from 2.3% in the previous month. This is the weakest deflation rate since […]

Verdict Retail’s latest poll of 2,000 UK consumers shows that the future consumer sentiment index has fallen once again, as all three components – views towards the economy, personal finances, and future retail spending – decline. The index plummeted 6.6 points on September, driven by a sharp 10.1 decline on the UK’s economic outlook index. […]

The BRC has released it’s Retail Sales Figures for October 2016, with food sales rising for the second consecutive month.   David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium: “A better performance across most categories in October is reflected in the best like for like retail sales figures for 2016. Food sales continue to improve compared to a […]

The recent decline in the health of the UK retail sector ended in Quarter 3 2016, with demand proving resilient in the face of rising costs and shrinking margins. The figures are provided by The KPMG/Ipsos Retail Think Tank (RTT). Following its quarterly meeting on October 11th 2016, the KPMG/Ipsos Retail Think Tank (RTT) has […]

Data released today by LDC and British Independent Retailers Association (bira) shows that traditional independent shops opened slightly more shops than were closed in H1 2016 in Britain’s town centres, whilst the national chains continued to see a fall. Independent shops saw an increase of +4 shops (+0.00%) in H1 2016. This is a reversal […]

A report by Verdict Retail reveals Halloween spending is likely to reach £472million this year, which is a smaller increase than in recent years. Here are their findings:   Attitudes and activities 57.5% of consumers feel that Halloween is a waste of money, while nearly three-quarters (72.3%) think Halloween has become far too commercial Last […]

On 30th September the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) published the draft 2017 rating list containing details of new rateable values which will be effective from April next year. The VOA estimates the following regional changes for retail in England: North East -16%,  Yorks -11%, North West -15%, West Mids -11%, East Mids -5%, East -13%, South West -14%, South […]

One in five employers is failing to sign its employees up to an auto-enrolment pension scheme, putting them at risk of hefty fines from The Pensions Regulator, according to figures released by AE master trust Now: Pensions. In the second quarter of 2016, Now: Pensions reported 21 per cent of the companies that signed up […]

Contract of Employment – are they just a worthless piece of paper or a great tool for employers? We take a look at the main points you need to consider when drafting and varying contracts in this Contract of Employment Q&A . Do I need to provide my employees with a written Contract of Employment? Contrary to […]

Be wary of scams involving the sale of fake certificates that suggest you do not have workplace pension duties. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is investigating at least one company offering what it describes as “Certificates of Auto Enrolment Exemption” to employers. If you’re offered the chance to buy a certificate of exemption or any similar […]

Obligations under the Data Protection Act The UK government has been clear that, despite Brexit, they will implement the regulations. Although EU Member States have up to the 25th May 2018 to implement the new rules in their national laws, you need to think about how to plan for the changes for your business now. […]

The Pensions Regulator has announced that they are carrying out Auto Enrolment spot checks on Birmingham employers as part of the nationwide enforcement campaign. Following on from the The Pensions Regulator announcement released on Friday 16th June – as part of the nationwide campaign which began in London, and then Manchester – TPR is to begin AE spot […]

Following the tragic fire on 14th June at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, some of our clients have enquired about what they should be doing to protect themselves and the people they are responsible for from the risk of fire. bira legal would therefore like to provide some simple advice on general fire safety precautions […]

Following the tragic events in Manchester, the Home Office would like to remind suppliers of regulated and reportable explosives precursors to look out for and report suspicious transactions and attempted transactions to the police on: 0800 789321 or chemical.reporting@met.police.uk Details: Explosives precursors are chemicals that may be used in the illicit manufacture of explosives.   […]

Now that the general election is over, it is down to the new Government to ensure that the potential of an unstable political climate in the UK is minimised, and that consumer confidence is not knocked.  After all, a third of consumer spending goes through retail, and therefore strong policies are needed to ensure this continues in […]

WHAT DOES THE ELECTION RESULT MEAN FOR RETAIL?  Source: GlobalData   The party manifestoes offered little other than more pain for retailers, but the uncertainty arising from the election result threatens to damage the industry more than any policy could.   In one sense not much has changed for retail –  little in the way […]

Most of us want to enjoy the summer. But as employers, you will often face the difficult task of dealing with numerous annual leave requests, refusing leave and cancelling pre-approved holidays. The workplace rules in your business should set out how much notice an employee needs to provide, how the leave must be booked and […]

A high street footwear firm turned a £400 fine into a bill for more than £40,000 after claiming it was too busy to meet its pension responsibilities. The case has prompted a fresh warning to employers by The Pensions Regulator (TPR) not to ignore their automatic enrolment duties. Johnsons Shoes Company was issued with a […]

Nearly six months after the introduction of a new business rates regime Mark Radford reviews progress to date. Back in the heady days of Spring 2014 in recognition of the damage caused to the economy by high rate bills, the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne famously described the business rate system as ‘not fit […]

2017 WORLDPAY EVERYWOMAN IN RETAIL AMBASSADORS ANNOUNCED Hundreds of senior figures from some of the UK’s most-loved retail brands gathered at 8 Northumberland Avenue on 12 September to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Worldpay everywoman in Retail Ambassador Programme. Twelve inspirational women working in retail were hand-selected and appointed as this year’s everywoman ambassadors. […]

The Home Office is currently carrying out their annual survey about crimes experienced by businesses in England and Wales. Taking part in the Commercial Victimisation Survey is your opportunity to help the Home Office to understand the nature, extent and cost of crimes against businesses and to tackle crime in our sector. Each year, the […]

Obligations under the Data Protection Act The UK government has been clear that, despite Brexit, they will implement the regulations. Although EU Member States have up to the 25th May 2018 to implement the new rules in their national laws, you need to think about how to plan for the changes for your business now. […]

The Pensions Regulator has announced that they are carrying out Auto Enrolment spot checks on Birmingham employers as part of the nationwide enforcement campaign. Following on from the The Pensions Regulator announcement released on Friday 16th June – as part of the nationwide campaign which began in London, and then Manchester – TPR is to begin AE spot […]

Following the tragic fire on 14th June at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, some of our clients have enquired about what they should be doing to protect themselves and the people they are responsible for from the risk of fire. bira legal would therefore like to provide some simple advice on general fire safety precautions […]

Following the tragic events in Manchester, the Home Office would like to remind suppliers of regulated and reportable explosives precursors to look out for and report suspicious transactions and attempted transactions to the police on: 0800 789321 or chemical.reporting@met.police.uk Details: Explosives precursors are chemicals that may be used in the illicit manufacture of explosives.   […]

Now that the general election is over, it is down to the new Government to ensure that the potential of an unstable political climate in the UK is minimised, and that consumer confidence is not knocked.  After all, a third of consumer spending goes through retail, and therefore strong policies are needed to ensure this continues in […]

WHAT DOES THE ELECTION RESULT MEAN FOR RETAIL?  Source: GlobalData   The party manifestoes offered little other than more pain for retailers, but the uncertainty arising from the election result threatens to damage the industry more than any policy could.   In one sense not much has changed for retail –  little in the way […]

A high street footwear firm turned a £400 fine into a bill for more than £40,000 after claiming it was too busy to meet its pension responsibilities. The case has prompted a fresh warning to employers by The Pensions Regulator (TPR) not to ignore their automatic enrolment duties. Johnsons Shoes Company was issued with a […]

Calling all retailers! Are you looking to make your business more profitable this coming autumn and winter? September Savers is bira direct biggest campaign of the year and aimed at kick starting our hardware, cookshop and giftware retailers key selling seasons. With exclusive buying promotions, offers and discounts from leading product suppliers such as Draper and Toolstream, […]

The New bira Bank Regular Savings Account – an introduction from John Collins, Managing Director, bira Bank. Bira bank is looking to increase its depositor base and encourage more members into opening a savings account with their Trade Association bank. As you will be aware, at bira bank we aim to deliver benefit to bira […]

Nick Wilson, Director of Health & Safety Services at Ellis Whittam, gives an overview of the general duties owed by employees under Health & Safety law. The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act (HSWA) 1974 places a number of important responsibilities on the shoulders of employees and as an employer, you may wish to […]

Whilst the GDPR will introduce significant changes to data protection legislation – completely overhauling the current legal framework – many bosses still haven’t given thought as to whether current processes comply with the new law. According to IBM, more data has been created in the past two years than ever before, with an estimated 2.5 quintillion […]

From making clothes for her own children, bira member Rachel Riley has built a worldwide brand set to grow with the launch of the new Rachel Riley Home Collection. Award-winning childrenswear designer and Rachel Riley and Textrade International, one of India’s leading home textile manufacturers and international distributors, have signed a licensing agreement for the Rachel Riley Home […]

The 2017 Natural and Organic Awards brought together shortlisted delegates to present and showcase their products. Winners of the Natural and Organic Awards  was announced on 3rd April with Cheryl Thallon, founder of Viridian, activist and fierce campaigner walking away with two award wins. The Natural and Organic Awards celebrated standout products and brands judged by a […]

Retailers across the UK are vying for votes in this year’s Great British High Street Awards. The Great British High Street Competition 2016 celebrates the great work that is being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation’s high streets. This year’s competition has seen a record 900 entries across all 14 categories, including the […]

Food poverty is a major issue in the UK, affecting both businesses as well as hundreds of thousands of individuals and families each day. Jeremy Pang’s School of Wok, an Asian specialist cookery school located in London’s Covent Garden, raised awareness of these two issues and encouraged both discussion and problem solving amongst local businesses, during […]