Retail pioneer and former BSSA chairman Peter Collett dies aged 91

A leading figure in the independent retail industry, Peter Collett, former Chairman of the British Shops and Stores Association (BSSA), has passed away at the age of 91.

Mr Collett, who played a pivotal role in shaping retail trade associations in the UK, died peacefully on 12th February 2025 in his Cambridge-based care home. He was surrounded by family members and had lived admirably with Alzheimer's in his final years.

Mr Collett spent 42 years at the helm of Carr & Bury Ltd in Bishop's Stortford, a family business specialising in dress fabrics, haberdashery, household textiles and linens. Having joined the business in 1956, he retired in 1998 but remained as Chairman until the shop closed in 2013.

The roots of the Collett family in the rag trade likely date back to Huguenot days, when his ancestors established weaving houses in Gloucester and Suffolk. Following family tradition, Mr Collett entered the business after his father John returned to Bishop's Stortford after the war. The shop, which originally sold general underwear and clothing, evolved under his leadership to specialise in dress fabrics and sewing aids.

Mr Collett played a significant role in retail trade associations throughout his career. He was an active member of The Drapers Chamber of Trade and became particularly involved with the British Shops and Stores Association when its headquarters moved from Banbury to Middleton Cheney. In 1996, he was instrumental in the merger between BSSA and the Retail Furnishers Association, becoming the first Chairman of the newly merged organisation.

By 1994, as Mr Collett handed over the everyday running of Carr & Bury Ltd, he dedicated more time to his work with the BSSA, helping to strengthen the voice of independent retailers across the UK. The BSSA later became part of the Bira family, which began with the foundation of the British Hardware Federation in 1899 and has continued its mission to support and advocate for the independent retail sector.

The family business underwent a major restructuring in 2000, shifting its focus from home dressmaking to furnishing fabrics, demonstrating the adaptability that characterised Mr Collett's approach to retail.

The funeral will be held at St Joseph's Catholic Church on Windhill in Bishop's Stortford at 2pm on Tuesday 4th March. Donations in his memory can be made via the link here.