Resources

Cookware that makes an impact

Consumers want their pans to enhance the look of their kitchen, and nothing beats the look of copper.

This season is all about sustainability

Eating seasonally, making the most of the food we buy, reducing food waste and plastic packaging is a subject many of us increasingly care about. This is why the focus of bira direct supplier Le Creuset’s Autumn/Winter 2018 campaign is ‘Food Unearthed’.

Enabling business growth

At bira bank we are all about supporting our members to run their business as efficiently and profitably as possible. It’s what’s guided us for all these years. And our new equipment loans follow these basic principles, aiming to relieve much of the finance pressure.

Managing paternity leave in your business

You may think that every expectant father is entitled to time off, but in fact there are a number of eligibility conditions that need to be fulfilled.

Partners in style

Richard and Elaine Graham had a simple ambition when they set about repositioning the family business – they wanted to create a relaxed store where they would want to shop and eat.

Reboot for Suffolk fashion shop

After trading as Déjà Vu Boutique for six years on the outskirts of Ipswich, Suffolk, owner Mandy Errington has reinvented her fashion enterprise

CEO Andrew Goodacre is impressed by bira’s innovative high achievers

It is always great to celebrate success and recognise some of the best achievements in our business.

Member magazine – November/December

This is your bira member magazine November/December 2018. Discover the latest trends, tips and news from the independent retail industry and beyond.

The ‘One Reset’ independent retailers need to protect themselves against cyber criminals

More and more business is now done online but all too often companies neglect their online security. The good news is that it’s simple to take action to help protect yourself – and your retail business – online.

Don’t mention the B word!

At 11pm on Friday March 29 2019, the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union. As the negotiations drag on, what effect, if any, is this saga having on retail? We decided to ask members for their thoughts.

Cash, cards, mobile devices: there’s a lot of choice out there!

In his second feature on payments, Paul Rodgers, chairman of payments organisation Vendorcom, brings us up-to-date with the pros and cons of what is available now

bira insurance FAQ’s

Here are the answers to your frequently asked questions on the bira business insurance scheme, designed and delivered by Towergate and uniquely available for bira members.

Parliamentary privilege

After two years of preparation, bira’s proposal for rates reform to bring immediate benefit to most independent retail businesses was launched in the Houses of Parliament. The fight goes on…

8 common types of customers in retail

Understanding your customer and tailoring your sales approach is essential. Here are the most common types of retail customers and how to sell to them.

Revitalising Lakeland Leather

Four years into a company turnaround, Martin Foster, CEO of Lakeland Leather, believes in shops, selling online, wholesaling and asking customers to invest financially in the company.

Making Tax Digital – How will it affect your business?

With less than a year to go, bira approved service partners, TaxAssist highlight what you need to know about Making Tax Digital for Business.

Pushing the indie agenda in Harrogate

The shop vacancy rate in Harrogate is about 7.7%, well below the national average of around 12.5%, but bira member William Woods sees no reason to be complacent about the health of the independent sector in the Yorkshire spa town.

“It’s though the tap has been turned off.”

Des Count, our man in the gift shop, is fast losing his sense of humour thanks to business rates, mad local councils and a government that doesn’t care about independent retailers

Contact your MP to drive rates reform plan

bira members are being urged to contact their own MPs to highlight the pressures independent retail businesses are under, especially from business rates.

Our charitable champions visit Uganda

Marcia Dale and Kevin Bellwood, bira’s Charitable Champions of 2018, spent 10 days this summer visiting South Sudanese orphans and former street children at a centre in Kampala, Uganda that they support.

Have you made the switch to a greener lighting solution?

The development of smart technology in the lighting sector can be used to control your shop’s lighting and connectivity, control colour effects, adjust brightness, monitor energy consumption, customer visits and data storage.

Let us know how we can help you

New CEO Andrew Goodacre has become acutely aware of the biggest concerns for our members and would very much like to hear how we can improve bira for you as an independent.

Old-fashioned service and modern thinking about natural pet nutrition make a winning formula

Third-generation retailer Nick Robinson is getting ready to celebrate the family business’ 90th anniversary next year.

Member magazine – October 2018

At the oldest family-owned pet shop in the country, Nick Robinson has combined traditional service and expert knowledge with a new direction in animal nutrition.

Success is on the cards

They might be in Port Erin on the Isle of Man, but Chris and Debbie Beards have given Mantons Cards a national profile

Samantha Panton explains Roasters recipe for success

The Panton family converted their budget household goods shop into a distinctive town-centre eatery in 1992. Their hometown success in Tamworth, Staffs, has seen them open what is probably the only independent food outlet on a large retail park.

Smart steps to protect data

In its latest piece, online expert Vend lists ways you can protect against hackers and fraudsters.

Hardware retailers share their opinions on the challenging year so far

“It doesn’t take a genius to work out that things are very tough out there”. Hardware retailers share their opinions on the challenging year so far.

Rates battle goes on as CEO Alan Hawkins welcomes his successor

Alan Hawkins express a heartfelt “thank you” to all bira members and staff as he welcomes the new CEO, Andrew Goodacre

When trading runs from cold to hot

From the new Ice Age to the heatwave, Doghouse Danny has had some interesting times in his northern pet shop this year. Now he’s (almost) ready for Christmas

bira’s Business Rates Manifesto

A simpler, standard rateable allowance to help independent retail businesses. Read bira’s Business Rates Manifesto, which has been presented to MP’s here.

Home Office survey about crime against business

We’re endorsing the annual Commercial Victimisation Survey looking at crimes experienced by businesses in England & Wales.

Move away from plastic products presents an opportunity for housewares retailers

There is a growing move away from plastic products in the water bottle and food container sector and this presents an opportunity for housewares retailers

The challenging complexity of change, choice & compliance

Cash used to be king. Now some retailers don’t even take cash. More regulations about payments are on the way.

Intersport’s specialist sports shops has been unveiled in Norwich

The future direction of Intersport’s specialist sports shops has been unveiled in Norwich, courtesy of a tie-up with Jarrold, the city’s leading department store.

Cook+Live+Dream: Liz Murray’s shop name sums up her retail philosophy

For Liz Murray, retailing is much more than selling stuff. It’s about interacting with customers, nurturing community relationships and celebrating craftsmanship.

Member magazine – September 2018

For Liz Murray, retailling is all about interacting with customers, nurturing community relationships and celebrating craftsmanship.

How to sell online: a guide to turning your high street store into a multi-channel business

High-street-only retailers may be missing a trick by not merging their businesses with the online world. Here’s a guide on how best to start selling online.

Goodbye plastic, you won’t be missed

Recognised by Scarlet Opus, the specialist trends forecasting company, as an Eco 2.0 trend for 2019, Black+Blum celebrates environmental awareness.

Heart Wood, the trend-leader

As you would expect, Dulux takes trends very seriously and spends much time and resource deciding on what colours will appeal most to consumers and help you sell more of their products.

The future of our member meetings

We held our first Retailer Forum this summer to come up with new ideas for our member meetings, how to overcome the barriers to attendance, how to market them and report back to the membership afterwards and we were really pleased with the ideas we received.

Looking to drive footfall to your store?

Helping you source, stock and sell more trend-setting products for Autumn and Christmas.

Is yours the best high street in the country?

The government-backed Great British High Street Awards, which aim to celebrate the best retailing communities across the UK, have been revived this year after last being run in 2016.

Robert Jarrett says a fond fare-well to the association

After 26 years with bira and its predecessors, Bob Jarrett, bira’s membership and marketing director, is saying a fond farewell to the association (and his Jaguar!).

Make the most of your bira website

In just a few clicks you can save time and money, as well source solutions to lots of common retail problems affecting independent retailers.

Disability Confidence can benefit your business

There are over 7m working-age people in the UK who have a disability or health condition, representing a vast and varied pool of talent that retailers could tap into.

Four ways to compete with Amazon

With the right people, marketing strategies and products, you’ll find that going up against ecommerce stores like Amazon is entirely doable.

Retailer’s Guide – Handling redundancies

Redundancies should be handled with care and legal advice should be obtained to minimise the risk of unfair claims.

#WDYT boosts indie’s sales

The #WDYT campaign Maybe* arrived at exactly the right time for bira member Keith Scarrott Shoes, an independent in Cheltenham.

Success in store at Barkers

Explore a stunning example of confident specialist retailing with Barkers department store and Barkes Home in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

Hot weather in the workplace – A Health & Safety perspective

Does the current heatwave give you cause for concern about the temperature in your workplace? Here’s how to keep your employees safe in the workplace.

Health of the High Street Survey

We’re running an important nationwide project to update the data we have for the overall health of our high streets. Please complete the short six question survey below and distribute to as many of your customers as you can.

National Home Improvement Week

‘Love the Home You Live In’ is the tagline for National Home Improvement Week, a new consumer marketing initiative to be held during 12-18 March.

Enabling business growth

At bira bank we are all about supporting our members to run their business as efficiently and profitably as possible. It’s what’s guided us for all these years. And our new equipment loans follow these basic principles, aiming to relieve much of the finance pressure.

The ‘One Reset’ independent retailers need to protect themselves against cyber criminals

More and more business is now done online but all too often companies neglect their online security. The good news is that it’s simple to take action to help protect yourself – and your retail business – online.

bira insurance FAQ’s

Here are the answers to your frequently asked questions on the bira business insurance scheme, designed and delivered by Towergate and uniquely available for bira members.

8 common types of customers in retail

Understanding your customer and tailoring your sales approach is essential. Here are the most common types of retail customers and how to sell to them.

Making Tax Digital – How will it affect your business?

With less than a year to go, bira approved service partners, TaxAssist highlight what you need to know about Making Tax Digital for Business.

Home Office survey about crime against business

We’re endorsing the annual Commercial Victimisation Survey looking at crimes experienced by businesses in England & Wales.

How to sell online: a guide to turning your high street store into a multi-channel business

High-street-only retailers may be missing a trick by not merging their businesses with the online world. Here’s a guide on how best to start selling online.

The future of our member meetings

We held our first Retailer Forum this summer to come up with new ideas for our member meetings, how to overcome the barriers to attendance, how to market them and report back to the membership afterwards and we were really pleased with the ideas we received.

Move away from plastic products presents an opportunity for housewares retailers

There is a growing move away from plastic products in the water bottle and food container sector and this presents an opportunity for housewares retailers

Make the most of your bira website

In just a few clicks you can save time and money, as well source solutions to lots of common retail problems affecting independent retailers.

Managing paternity leave in your business

You may think that every expectant father is entitled to time off, but in fact there are a number of eligibility conditions that need to be fulfilled.

bira’s Business Rates Manifesto

A simpler, standard rateable allowance to help independent retail businesses. Read bira’s Business Rates Manifesto, which has been presented to MP’s here.

Home Office Serious Violence Strategy

The Home Office will today (Monday 9 April) launch the Serious Violence Strategy, which will set out the Government’s response to the recent increase in knife crime, gun crime and homicide.

Cyber Aware’s new Perception Gap Report

This innovative new report evidences the misconceptions the public have towards cyber security, compared to the reality of the threat – a perceptions gap which is eroding our resilience to cyber criminals.

Withdrawing the paper £10 note – FAQ’s

The last day to use your paper £10 notes is 1 March 2018. The Bank of England answers your frequently asked questions regarding the withdrawal in this factsheet.

Navigating the financial landscape

Financial planning responds to seasonal changes. Wren Sterling offers insight on how to navigate the financial landscape.

SMEs and Cyber Attacks: What you need to know

Only 1 in 4 small businesses are prepared for a cyber attack. Prevent your business from being hindered by a cyber attack by managing business risks. Source: Towergate Insurance

The definitive guide to mobile marketing and alerts

We are increasingly becoming a mobile-first society. Here, Text Local brings to you the definitive guide to mobile marketing for your business.

Your guide to the General Data Protection Regulation

The way in which personal data is used and protected is set to change in May 2018.

Business Rates Manifesto – March 2017

Northumbria Pets

Northumbria Pets first came across bira in 2006 at a trade show event and has been a member ever since, taking advantage of bira direct’s pre-negotiated terms and discounts with suppliers.

Advance Performance

Sam Hale of Advance Performance discusses her business journey which started 18 years ago from a back bedroom at home. The ‘running store for everyone’ is now based in both Peterborough and Cambridge and prides itself on offering a high customer service which cannot be delivered by an online-only retail store.

A recipe for bags load of energy

Ever wondered how you could get bags load of energy? National Association of Health Stores (NAHS) explains how to make the most from items you can find at your local independent Health Store.

How to login to the Member Dashboard

A step-by-step guide on how to login to the Member Dashboard, available to bira members. Unlock member-only service information, resources, bira member magazines and exclusive content today.

How to use bira direct Invoice Manager

It’s now easier to keep all of your invoices in one place. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to us bira direct Invoice Manager, available to all bira members.

Your guide to updating your supplier page

A step-by-step video tutorial on how to edit your bira direct supplier page.

Toolshop

Member testimonial

Glasswells

Member testimonial

Rachel Riley

Member testimonial

Lords

Member testimonial