Resources

How can independent retailers prepare for Valentine’s Day?

Discover the latest trends in gifting for Valentine’s Day, from self gifting, galentines and gifts for friends and pets with Bira Direct.

The winning formula for Mica member Walkers of Dunoon

For almost 30 years the Walker family has been running a destination DIY and garden store in Dunoon on Scotland’s picturesque Firth of Clyde. Staying relevant – and having an excellent coffee shop – are essential parts of the successful formula.

Overcoming the competition at White Rose Books Café

Competition from Amazon, electronic books, financial crises, rising overheads – Sue Lake has overcome all these challenges and more in building up White Rose Books Café in Thirsk to be the epitome of a thriving independent bookshop.

The new year brings new optimism for much better trading in 2020

Now, in 2020, let’s show how resourceful we independent retailers can be. Bira sat down with independent retailers to ask what their predictions are for trading in 2020.

Member Magazine – January/February 2020

Issue 29 of the Bira Magazine featuring the latest retail trade news, 2020 HR changes and an interview Brothers Ian and Paul Walker of Mica & much more.

Veganuary business support toolkit

The vegan UK market is worth over £572 million in 2019, finds Mintel and is no doubt set to grow. Here you can find a toolkit which outlines the many ways that your business can get involved and successfully fulfil consumer demand.

Veganuary business toolkit for cafés and eateries

Inspiration for cafés and eateries to get involved in Veganuary 2020. 28% of Veganuary survey respondents felt eating out was the biggest challenge as a new vegan. Here are a few things you can do instore to promote your vegan selection.

Bira Direct Product of the Month – December 2019

As the nights get colder and we get further into winter. Many people will choose to get cosy in front of the fire. Wood burning stoves have had a resurgence in popularity as an alternative to gas fireplaces. Chopping logs can be a physically tough job which makes stocking chainsaws over the winter period will […]

What should independent retailers be focusing on in early January 2020

Top buying expert Suzanne Chapman has provided her top tips on how to stock and merchandise in your shop in early 2020 in order to maximise your profits this year. 

8 top tips for retailers to make the most of the new year

A new year signals a fresh start.  January offers a chance to review the past year while looking ahead at the next 365 days. It’s an opportunity to set some goals, look back at what worked well and where improvements can be made. Here are our top 8 tips for making a cracking start to the new year.

Your Retail Buying Calendar 2020

Your customers may have Christmas on the mind, but as 2020 approaches now’s the time to plan ahead for 2020 starting with the key retail dates for your calendar.

From the must-attend trade shows, holidays to local and international calendar dates, use the Bira Direct Retail Buying Calendar to plan in your product ranges, events and to increase your brand awareness.

Drop Shipping – Save Space and Cut the Carrier

Instead of filling your precious storeroom space with large items, suppliers are offering you the option to deliver the products when you make a sale either directly to you or to your customer.

Mindful Retail: Strike a balance for 2020

Perq Studio believes ‘truly mindful retail’ is the key to bricks and mortar brands achieving success in 2020. But what is mindful retail? Find out here.

Safeguarding retail businesses survival

Independent businesses are the life blood of our town centres. So as they snap up space vacated by the chains, we must safeguard their long-term survival.

How To Make Your Business Sustainable

Consumers are choosing to use businesses that have sustainable, eco-friendly credentials. Find out how to achieve sustainability in your business.

4 questions every retailer should ask this holiday season

Here are four all-important questions you should ask yourself when evaluating your holiday strategies.

Independent health store advice for wellbeing in the festive season

If you are looking for advice on natural health and wellbeing then your local independent health stores are the place to start. Take a look at the latest snippets of advice from your local health store retailers.

Protecting employees from a potentially debilitating problem

Work-related contact dermatitis is a prevalent issue in the hospitality industry. Here are the steps employers can take to reduce this risk to employees’ health.

Independent and instagrammable coffee shops

We’ve compiled a handy guide so you can get more buzz for your caffinated buck from your own social media, improve your content and drive footfall.

What’s brewing within the independent Cafe Culture?

We’ve been supporting independents brew their social media strategies. This time it’s the turn of those cafes that keep us well fed and caffeinated. Read more.

How to put your best foot forward this Black Friday

Ahead of this year’s Black Friday, we’re sharing some of the lessons learned by a boutique shoe retailer so that Bira members can learn from her success.

Personality presents an opportunity for retailers on social media

By utilising personality on your social media channels, you’ll really be able to make your businesses standout from the crowd, strengthening your image.

Make the festive season safe and fun for your staff

Keep your staff and your business safe over the festive season by following these simple tips. Doing so will ensure you’re able to enjoy the holiday!

Black Friday downloadable signage for independent retailers

Each year Black Friday becomes more and more of an official annual celebration for your consumers. Be prepared for your expectant customers!

Training for the storage, display, sale and delivery of knives

Train your staff to responsibly sell knives and comply with the law, with this training from The Metropolitan police, MOPAC and London Trading Standards.

The secret to running a long-established health food store

After working for 15 years at Tullivers health food shop in York, Alan Malcolm had no hesitation in buying the business when the founders retired in 2017. With his wife Tracey, also a Tullivers veteran, his sister Claire and brother-in-law John all on board, the city centre shop really is a true family business. Tracey tells their story.

Bira Direct Product of the month – November

Bira Direct has been working together with Whitefurze and Bira service provider Maybe* to listen to conversations on social media based on popularity of the grow your own trend and supply products your customers will want to purchase.

Security products from Luceco

Solar powered exterior lights are a bright solution as they are easy to install, have no additional running costs and are run by a greener, renewable energy source. LED lights also provide high levels of energy efficiency and intensity.

Product Buying – Make the most of the Golden Quarter

Be Prepared! The so-called “golden quarter” is known in the retail industry as the three month run up to Christmas and the New Year – this presents a big opportunity for independent retailers, with customers on the hunt for festive deals and opening their wallets for calendar day sales such as Black Friday. It’s really […]

November Buyers Essentials

Get Christmas all wrapped up with seasonal products that keep your customers coming back time and time again. Suzanne Chapman has over 15 years experience as a gifting and lifestyle buyer, and has curated a list of products that will maximise sales in the “Golden Quarter”. This months buyers essentials are Christmas Wrapped Up, Winter […]

Member magazine – November/December

Explore trade news, results from the Wages Survey, cyber crime , the latest news stories from independent retail businesses and much more. More so, we as the question: how green is your business?

Industry charity supporting people at Christmas

Bryan Clover, CEO the Rainy Day Trust, shares how the Rainy Day Trust is planning to help people this Christmas Each year at Christmas, we send out a small hamper or food voucher to our most vulnerable beneficiaries. In many cases, this is the only contact that they have with the outside world over the […]

Help make Christmas 2019 one to remember.

Help make Christmas 2019 one to remember. Join the campaign to get Britain shopping local. Last year Visa ran a successful marketing campaign, which turned the spotlight on over 100 independent retailers from Dundee to Southampton, from big cities to small towns, toy sellers and bakers to florists and butchers. These passionate shop-owners became stars […]

Digital transformation of SME’s: The future of commerce

The insights provided in this paper are for small and medium-size enterprises1 (SMEs) in the United Kingdom (UK), with a focus on helping businesses grow and improve the customer experience through the promotion of technology and digital commerce. Discover digital trends, retail tips and consumer insights.

5 customer retention tips to drive sales and loyalty in your retail business

Customer acquisition can sometimes be the shiny new toy that gets all the attention. But old reliable retention is where the money’s at. Depending on which data you cite, customer acquisition is anywhere from 5 to 25 times more expensive than retention. Here are 5 tips on how to cash in on all that customer retention has to offer.

Slips, trips and falls: The number one safety risk in your café

Employers often underestimate just how common slips, trips and falls can be. However, they have a duty to ensure that employees, customers and anyone else affected by your activities are kept safe from harm. Here’s how you can easily prevent these occurrences from happening.

Buyers’ signpost for 2020

We’ve teamed up with leading futures agency Trend Bible to present a preview of two of the most commercially-relevant trends for the home in 2020.

Investing in young people

Retail is many young people’s first step into employment. With the right support, these young workers can become a real asset to your business. But, what are the rules relating to recruiting and retaining young staff? Bira Legal provides guidance on 6 things you need to know when recruiting young people.

In good health

Founded almost 40 years ago by Paul Maconaghie, Framer Health in Belfast pioneered alternative therapies and sensible nutrition in Ulster. Today Paul’s children are keeping the business relevant and healthy with a suite of complementary clinics. 

CMA guidance on illegal resale price maintenance practices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has a wealth of advice to help businesses understand more about illegal resale price maintenance (RPM) practices and compliance with competition law.   Watch this video:

Bira Direct Product of the Month

  Latex backed Coir Mats from JVL The world is changing at a fast pace with more and more emphasis on recyclable, reusable and compostable items as part of our everyday life. We’re keeping up with the changes and JVL was one of the first to change coir backing to latex. How does latex backed […]

October Buyers Essentials

Expert Buyer Suzanne Chapman has curated a list of must have buyers essentials. This months key ranges are Halloween, Autumn Fragrance and Cosy up. 

Top home & gift buying tips for the Christmas season

Top home & gift buying tips for the Christmas period from Suzanne Chapman. Including products from Deyongs, Village Candle and Cozy time.

6 quick tips to prepare your business for winter weather

We’ve highlighted six useful tips to consider throughout the chillier months to help you avoid costly accidents and weather damage in your businesses.

Cutting through health and safety “blue tape”

Health and safety rules imposed not by government regulation but by businesses on each other impacts SMEs and the wider health and safety system.

Take a few minutes. Save a lot of money.

Whether you joined Bira last week or 25 years ago, you can easily recoup the cost of your membership fee by taking a few quick steps to make full use of Bira’s membership benefits.

Justifying discrimination

Receiving a discrimination claim can be a real concern for employers but when it happens it’s essential that your actions are justifiable. Find out more.

4 Digital tools you can use to drive foot traffic to your retail store

Driving traffic into your business shouldn’t be difficult. Utilise these four digital tools to ensure high street traffic is coming your way.

Holiday pay: Court bans pro-rating entitlement for zero-hour and casual workers

Following a recent decision by the Court of Appeal, employers must now abandon generally accepted methods for calculating holiday pay for part-year workers.

Why the high street isn’t dead

We recently worked with Mediaplanet on the 2019 Business and Industry: Future of Retail campaign. A printed publication was enclosed within every copy of the City A.M. newspaper and the content is available online at www.businessandindustry.co.uk . The campaign featured exclusive content from key thought leaders and industry voices about the future of retail and why there is still hope for high street.

How can independent retailers prepare for Valentine’s Day?

Discover the latest trends in gifting for Valentine’s Day, from self gifting, galentines and gifts for friends and pets with Bira Direct.

The new year brings new optimism for much better trading in 2020

Now, in 2020, let’s show how resourceful we independent retailers can be. Bira sat down with independent retailers to ask what their predictions are for trading in 2020.

Bira Direct Product of the Month – December 2019

As the nights get colder and we get further into winter. Many people will choose to get cosy in front of the fire. Wood burning stoves have had a resurgence in popularity as an alternative to gas fireplaces. Chopping logs can be a physically tough job which makes stocking chainsaws over the winter period will […]

Drop Shipping – Save Space and Cut the Carrier

Instead of filling your precious storeroom space with large items, suppliers are offering you the option to deliver the products when you make a sale either directly to you or to your customer.

What should independent retailers be focusing on in early January 2020

Top buying expert Suzanne Chapman has provided her top tips on how to stock and merchandise in your shop in early 2020 in order to maximise your profits this year. 

8 top tips for retailers to make the most of the new year

A new year signals a fresh start.  January offers a chance to review the past year while looking ahead at the next 365 days. It’s an opportunity to set some goals, look back at what worked well and where improvements can be made. Here are our top 8 tips for making a cracking start to the new year.

Your Retail Buying Calendar 2020

Your customers may have Christmas on the mind, but as 2020 approaches now’s the time to plan ahead for 2020 starting with the key retail dates for your calendar.

From the must-attend trade shows, holidays to local and international calendar dates, use the Bira Direct Retail Buying Calendar to plan in your product ranges, events and to increase your brand awareness.

Mindful Retail: Strike a balance for 2020

Perq Studio believes ‘truly mindful retail’ is the key to bricks and mortar brands achieving success in 2020. But what is mindful retail? Find out here.

Safeguarding retail businesses survival

Independent businesses are the life blood of our town centres. So as they snap up space vacated by the chains, we must safeguard their long-term survival.

How To Make Your Business Sustainable

Consumers are choosing to use businesses that have sustainable, eco-friendly credentials. Find out how to achieve sustainability in your business.

Independent health store advice for wellbeing in the festive season

If you are looking for advice on natural health and wellbeing then your local independent health stores are the place to start. Take a look at the latest snippets of advice from your local health store retailers.

Protecting employees from a potentially debilitating problem

Work-related contact dermatitis is a prevalent issue in the hospitality industry. Here are the steps employers can take to reduce this risk to employees’ health.

Independent and instagrammable coffee shops

We’ve compiled a handy guide so you can get more buzz for your caffinated buck from your own social media, improve your content and drive footfall.

What’s brewing within the independent Cafe Culture?

We’ve been supporting independents brew their social media strategies. This time it’s the turn of those cafes that keep us well fed and caffeinated. Read more.

How to put your best foot forward this Black Friday

Ahead of this year’s Black Friday, we’re sharing some of the lessons learned by a boutique shoe retailer so that Bira members can learn from her success.

Personality presents an opportunity for retailers on social media

By utilising personality on your social media channels, you’ll really be able to make your businesses standout from the crowd, strengthening your image.

Make the festive season safe and fun for your staff

Keep your staff and your business safe over the festive season by following these simple tips. Doing so will ensure you’re able to enjoy the holiday!

November Buyers Essentials

Get Christmas all wrapped up with seasonal products that keep your customers coming back time and time again. Suzanne Chapman has over 15 years experience as a gifting and lifestyle buyer, and has curated a list of products that will maximise sales in the “Golden Quarter”. This months buyers essentials are Christmas Wrapped Up, Winter […]

Bira Direct Product of the month – November

Bira Direct has been working together with Whitefurze and Bira service provider Maybe* to listen to conversations on social media based on popularity of the grow your own trend and supply products your customers will want to purchase.

Product Buying – Make the most of the Golden Quarter

Be Prepared! The so-called “golden quarter” is known in the retail industry as the three month run up to Christmas and the New Year – this presents a big opportunity for independent retailers, with customers on the hunt for festive deals and opening their wallets for calendar day sales such as Black Friday. It’s really […]

Industry charity supporting people at Christmas

Bryan Clover, CEO the Rainy Day Trust, shares how the Rainy Day Trust is planning to help people this Christmas Each year at Christmas, we send out a small hamper or food voucher to our most vulnerable beneficiaries. In many cases, this is the only contact that they have with the outside world over the […]

Help make Christmas 2019 one to remember.

Help make Christmas 2019 one to remember. Join the campaign to get Britain shopping local. Last year Visa ran a successful marketing campaign, which turned the spotlight on over 100 independent retailers from Dundee to Southampton, from big cities to small towns, toy sellers and bakers to florists and butchers. These passionate shop-owners became stars […]

5 customer retention tips to drive sales and loyalty in your retail business

Customer acquisition can sometimes be the shiny new toy that gets all the attention. But old reliable retention is where the money’s at. Depending on which data you cite, customer acquisition is anywhere from 5 to 25 times more expensive than retention. Here are 5 tips on how to cash in on all that customer retention has to offer.

Security products from Luceco

Solar powered exterior lights are a bright solution as they are easy to install, have no additional running costs and are run by a greener, renewable energy source. LED lights also provide high levels of energy efficiency and intensity.

Slips, trips and falls: The number one safety risk in your café

Employers often underestimate just how common slips, trips and falls can be. However, they have a duty to ensure that employees, customers and anyone else affected by your activities are kept safe from harm. Here’s how you can easily prevent these occurrences from happening.

CMA guidance on illegal resale price maintenance practices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has a wealth of advice to help businesses understand more about illegal resale price maintenance (RPM) practices and compliance with competition law.   Watch this video:

Bira Direct Product of the Month

  Latex backed Coir Mats from JVL The world is changing at a fast pace with more and more emphasis on recyclable, reusable and compostable items as part of our everyday life. We’re keeping up with the changes and JVL was one of the first to change coir backing to latex. How does latex backed […]

Cutting through health and safety “blue tape”

Health and safety rules imposed not by government regulation but by businesses on each other impacts SMEs and the wider health and safety system.

6 quick tips to prepare your business for winter weather

We’ve highlighted six useful tips to consider throughout the chillier months to help you avoid costly accidents and weather damage in your businesses.

October Buyers Essentials

Expert Buyer Suzanne Chapman has curated a list of must have buyers essentials. This months key ranges are Halloween, Autumn Fragrance and Cosy up. 

Top home & gift buying tips for the Christmas season

Top home & gift buying tips for the Christmas period from Suzanne Chapman. Including products from Deyongs, Village Candle and Cozy time.

4 Digital tools you can use to drive foot traffic to your retail store

Driving traffic into your business shouldn’t be difficult. Utilise these four digital tools to ensure high street traffic is coming your way.

Training for the storage, display, sale and delivery of knives

Train your staff to responsibly sell knives and comply with the law, with this training from The Metropolitan police, MOPAC and London Trading Standards.

Holiday pay: Court bans pro-rating entitlement for zero-hour and casual workers

Following a recent decision by the Court of Appeal, employers must now abandon generally accepted methods for calculating holiday pay for part-year workers.

Why the high street isn’t dead

We recently worked with Mediaplanet on the 2019 Business and Industry: Future of Retail campaign. A printed publication was enclosed within every copy of the City A.M. newspaper and the content is available online at www.businessandindustry.co.uk . The campaign featured exclusive content from key thought leaders and industry voices about the future of retail and why there is still hope for high street.

Filing accounts at Companies House

Last year 25049 companies filed accounts but missed the deadline of 30 September 2018 (incurring an automatic late filing penalty). With 300,000 sets of accounts being due this month, September is one of the busiest months at Companies House. Here are tips to help you file your accounts.

5 ways to build a more successful loyalty programme

Attracting customers to shop at your business isn’t always the hardest part of being a retailer. The hardest part of actually keeping them! Here’s the key to creating an engaging loyalty scheme to keep your customers coming back.

Introducing Flavour Revival: a modern take on nostalgic recipes and cookware

Putting a contemporary spin on your staple cookware favourites. Explore Le Creuset’s all-new range: Flavour Revival Collection. Le Creuset’s Cookware, NEW Dinnerware and Accessories in the Flavour Revival colour palette will add an air of sophistication and class to your customers’ dining space.

8 top tips to get your customers to spend more

We all know attracting new customers costs much more than selling to existing customers. But how do we sell more without using pushy sales tactics that are likely to get customers running a mile rather than reaching for their wallet? Here are 8 tips for increasing basket spend.

Two Ducks

Claire Leigh clearly has her ducks in a row, with an award-winning boutique in its sixth year, an intuitive ePOS system, and a refurb and rebrand in progress.

The changing face of the high street

As the high street evolves due to consumer needs, retailers have learned to reinvent themselves. Those fastest to adapt to trends are most likely to thrive.

9 essential pages every indie retail website needs

Customers have certain expectations when it comes to visiting a website, and it’s up to retailers to offer an easy way for users to navigate the site.

How to create powerful customer loyalty

How can independents compete with big stores like Boots and Amazon? We explore how small businesses can effectively keep their customer base coming back and what not to do when creating a loyalty scheme.

When less is definitely NOT more

Under insurance investigation for SME’s is so serious that experts estimate as many as 35% are not insured for the full value. SMEs are self-insuring without realising it.

Gifting businesses struggle with what to say on social media

Maybe* listened to the online conversations created by and about online gifting retailers to see how they are using Facebook and Twitter to engage their audience, increase brand awareness and drive positive sentiment.

Why entering awards is worth your while

Awards are a fantastic opportunity to promote your business. Not only can they encourage more footfall to your shop but they can also lead to greater exposure in the media and on social media.

PCI DSS compliance: are you paying more than you need to?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a worldwide mandate that was introduced to assist businesses with card payment processing security and to reduce fraudulent activity.

Why benchmarking is critical for every independent retail business

For many small businesses, understanding the impact of their social media efforts is challenging. Are their results in line with their sector, with their competitors, with other independent retail businesses? Without the context of performance measurement, it’s impossible to know.

Payments Toolkit – Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)

New payment legislation coming into force this September could mean you’re left in an uncomfortable situation of dealing with declined card transactions. Read this guide to find out why this is happening so you can reassure your customers and spare them any embarrassment.

4 powerful free marketing tactics to boost your business

How can you attract more customers to your store or website on a tiny marketing budget?  The answer is to get creative with your marketing to achieve maximum impact for minimum cost.

Transporting goods between the UK and EU in a no-deal Brexit

Download this handy guide if you need to transport your goods to the EU post-Brexit. Hauliers and commercial drivers will need the correct documentation to travel to, from or through the EU if the UK leaves without a deal.

Importing and exporting post-Brexit

Get all the information you need about EORI numbers for importing and exporting goods post-Brexit.  

Recruiting new staff

A well-thought-out recruitment process will help you to fill the position with the best possible candidate, support business objectives and avoid any legal pitfalls. Ellis Whittam, the providers of the Bira Legal service have provided a nine-step checklist to guide you through the recruitment process.

Accept payments on the go with Mobile Pay

In-store or on-the-go, get paid fast with the powerful mobile point of sale app and card reader, from Bira’s preferred Card Processing service provider, Global Payments.

Hints and tips for protecting your business against fraud

Fraudsters have many ways of targeting businesses, whether anonymously online, posing as a customer or in your employment. This guide aims to provide you with some popular hints and tips for identifying potential fraud to help you protect your business.

How to look after your mental health

Bira are proud supporters of Mental Health Foundation who help drive conversations on mental health and body image to create lasting change. Here’s some advice from the Mental Health Foundation on how to look after you and your colleagues’ mental health.

Your step-by-step guide to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Process

Your step-by-step guide to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Process provided by Bira’s chosen Card Processing provider, Global Payments.

Making Tax Digital – A bitesize guide for business

Making Tax Digital begins in April. This useful, bite-size guide for business will explain everything you need to know.

Your online retail guide

Not only has e-commerce completely shifted how consumers’ shop, the online world is now having a transformative impact on the in-store physical retail experience. Find out how you can start creating meaningful moments across your businesses digital journey.

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

Your guide to selling and using chemical products

Your guide to carrying cash

Your guide to taking a lease

Your guide to partnerships and limited companies

Your guide to Business Names

Help make Christmas 2019 one to remember.

Help make Christmas 2019 one to remember. Join the campaign to get Britain shopping local. Last year Visa ran a successful marketing campaign, which turned the spotlight on over 100 independent retailers from Dundee to Southampton, from big cities to small towns, toy sellers and bakers to florists and butchers. These passionate shop-owners became stars […]

Justifying discrimination

Receiving a discrimination claim can be a real concern for employers but when it happens it’s essential that your actions are justifiable. Find out more.

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

Meet Vin Vara – Bira’s formal National President and independent hardware business owner of the Tool Shop Group.

Glasswells

Member testimonial

Rachel Riley

Member testimonial

Lords

Member testimonial

Coes

Member testimonial