Resources

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.

Dilapidations – the hidden lease clause

Don’t get caught out with the bills for updating your property at the end of the lease, warns ex-bira president Gary Gordon.

David Neill Mica embraces the world of ecommerce

As it approaches its 30th anniversary this summer, new bira member David Neill Mica has embraced the world of ecommerce with a transactional website.

After 33 years with bira CEO, Alan Hawkins is heading for retirement

After 33 years with bira and its various predecessors, including 12 years as a CEO, Alan Hawkins is heading for retirement in September.

Retail crime rising

The ongoing rise in shop theft and assaults against retail staff has been highlighted by official figures for the past year.

Global event gathers hardware and DIY industry

The Internation Federation of Hardware and Housewares Association (IHA) met in Barcelona on 10-11 June, immediately followed by the sixth Global DIY Summit of which it is now part.

Train your team to new heights

Too many big retailers are dominating the news reports with the wrong sort of headlines. bira CEO Alan Hawkins says tough times merit investment in people.

The changing face of retail

To say the retail industry has a significant impact on the UK economy would be somewhat of an understatement. It is important that we recognise that the sector is changing and, as a result, those who work within it must do so too.

A Green Future: Reducing plastic waste with the 25 Year Environment Plan

As the UK works towards Brexit, fishing and agricultural policy will be reformed and the Government want to use this opportunity to improve how we care for our land, rivers and seas and to deliver a Green Brexit for the UK.

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.

5 In-Store Ideas to Drive Traffic and Sales

With the convenience of online shopping, getting people into your physical store can seem like an increasingly difficult task. But we’re here with good news…

In fine style with Trotter & Deane

There’s only one premium menswear brand sold at Trotter & Deane – its own brand.

Member magazine – July/August 2018

John Deane-Bowers has made his Trotter & Deane own-label into a sophisticated success

Shrewsbury Passport for Independents

bira are proud to support the Shrewsbury Passport for Independents to showcase the abundance of independent businesses that Shrewsbury has to offer.

Hanover Healthfoods in Edinburgh has been trading since 1904. Is it the UK’s oldest?

Hanover Healthfoods in Edinburgh has been trading since 1904. We caught up with owner John Mckee who loved working there so much he bought the business.

Vary your methods to improve the team

Francesca Nicasio, content marketing manager for retail POS software expert Vend, looks at effective ideas to train staff.

Up to 25% of a retailer’s electricity costs come from lighting

Lighting is one of the biggest electrical costs to any shop. As well as improving your green credentials, overhauling your lights could save you money.

Retired member gives back to her community

81 year old Joy Baker, having retired from J & J Baker Antiques in Lavenham, Suffolk, (which was in membership for 15 years), has turned her attention to art.

Why The High Street Will Win

Today the world is awash with stories about struggles in retail. However, that may not be the case as we could be on the cusp on a revolution. Find out why.

Fun ways to get you & your business involved in the Independents’ Day celebrations this July

Though we support independent retailers all year long, we love a reason to celebrate and Independents’ Day on Wednesday 4th July is the perfect excuse.

Weather has an enormous, and growing, effect on footfall and sales

In a world where weather has an increasingly influential role to play in how people shop, and where seasons are so difficult to predict, how should fashion retailers respond?

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.

How to use retail analytics to delight customers and increase sales

Being data-centric in retail is more important than ever. Here’s how to use retail analytics and hard data to make smarter decisions toward higher profits

Meet three new recruits who represent the amazing variety of the bira membership

Our retailers are a varied and interesting community. Here we meet three new recruits: The Highland Bookshop, Tivi Ale and Velvet Exclusive Ladieswear.

The great hedge: How to manage margins in a fluctuating currency market

If football is a game of two halves, then business – particularly retail business – is a game of two margins: planned and actual.

Dismissing an employee for gross misconduct

bira legal looks into the issue of gross misconduct and answers commonly asked questions from retailers regarding justifiable employee dismissal.

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.

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.

Retailer’s Guide – Handling redundancies

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

The changing face of retail

To say the retail industry has a significant impact on the UK economy would be somewhat of an understatement. It is important that we recognise that the sector is changing and, as a result, those who work within it must do so too.

A Green Future: Reducing plastic waste with the 25 Year Environment Plan

As the UK works towards Brexit, fishing and agricultural policy will be reformed and the Government want to use this opportunity to improve how we care for our land, rivers and seas and to deliver a Green Brexit for the UK.

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.

Shrewsbury Passport for Independents

bira are proud to support the Shrewsbury Passport for Independents to showcase the abundance of independent businesses that Shrewsbury has to offer.

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

Your guide to selling and using chemical products

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